Turning AI possibilities into real-world solutions
The AI revolution demands storage that can keep pace with unprecedented data growth and processing requirements. Enter Dell ObjectScale version 4.1 and the new XF960 all-flash appliance—the latest leap forward in our fourth-generation object platform designed specifically to accelerate AI workloads and drive human progress through technology.
These breakthrough releases represent more than incremental improvements. They embody our commitment to creating technologies that empower organizations to tackle their most ambitious AI initiatives while simplifying data management at exabyte scale. Whether you’re training complex machine learning models, managing massive data lakes or supporting distributed AI teams, ObjectScale delivers the performance, efficiency and resiliency needed to turn AI possibilities into realities.
Industry-leading performance built for AI workloads
ObjectScale XF960 sets new standards for object storage performance. As the industry’s highest-performing object platform1, it delivers up to 2x faster performance than the closest competitor1.
Organizations can expect up to 300% faster read throughput and response times for critical AI operations like model checkpointing and fine-tuning2. This means data scientists spend less time waiting and more time innovating.
The XF960 achieves these performance breakthroughs through ObjectScale 4.1 storage efficiency gains and extensive hardware advances, including high-performance TLC, SED TLC and QLC SSDs paired with dual 32-core processors and 100GbE back-end/front-end networking. These advances ensure your AI pipelines never bottleneck on storage performance.
Extreme efficiency, featuring breakthrough compression
Storage efficiency becomes critical when managing AI data at scale.
ObjectScale 4.1 introduces five user-configurable compression algorithms that deliver up to an impressive 9:1 data compression ratio. Organizations can now balance compression ratio and speed at the Virtual Data Center level, optimizing for their specific workload requirements.
Enhanced space reclamation in 4.1 frees up deleted capacity more quickly while the new streamlined capacity dashboard provides real-time visibility into user, available and reserved capacity with intelligent alerting when utilization reaches critical thresholds.
The XF960 appliance complements this software efficiency with remarkable density improvements. With support for 61TB QLC drives and configurations ranging from 6 to 24 drives per node, clusters can scale from 230TB to 23.6PB per rack today. A 122TB QLC option with up to 47PB per rack is on the way soon, delivering up to 8x more raw capacity than its predecessor.4
Enhanced security and resilience for enterprise AI
AI workloads often involve sensitive data that require robust protection. ObjectScale is the world’s most cyber-secure object storage5, delivering enterprise-grade security through multiple layers of encryption and data protection.
The XF960 introduces Self-Encrypting Drive (SED) support with Local Key Management for FIPS-certified encryption. Keys are generated, stored and managed directly within the appliance using Dell iDRAC, simplifying key rotation while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
For additional security, ObjectScale 4.1 supports TLS 1.3 encryption, the latest and most secure version of the Transport Layer Security protocol. This enhancement provides stronger encryption, faster handshakes and removes outdated algorithms that could compromise data integrity.
Resilience and efficiency get a boost through more flexible erasure coding options. Organizations can now choose between 12+4 or 10+2 schemas via the ObjectScale 4.1 UI, allowing them to optimize data protection based on their specific requirements and workload characteristics.
Modern S3 capabilities for AI development
AI development teams need fast and complete access to data. ObjectScale expands its industry-leading S3 compatibility6 with several new capabilities.
S3 event notifications provide push-based updates to external applications when specific events occur in ObjectScale S3 buckets, enabling more efficient real-time processing for AI pipelines. Object Listing performance receives a significant boost with up to 3x faster listing in multi-VDC environments7 for improved data browsing and discovery at scale.
S3FS support allows teams to mount S3 buckets on Linux as local file systems, simplifying integration with existing applications and workflows. Combined with support for the latest 2.29 version AWS software development kit (SDK), these enhancements give developers seamless access to the latest tools for building AI applications.
Seamless upgrade path preserves investments
Current ECS customers can upgrade to ObjectScale 4.1 through a convenient software-only update that preserves investments and user experience. The upgrade supports systems from version 3.8 or 4.0 to 4.1 with Dell’s remote professional support team handling the process via the Service Console at no extra cost under Dell ProSupport contracts.
The XF960 appliance seamlessly integrates with existing ECS environments, allowing organizations to add all-flash capacity to current Virtual Data Centers without disruption. This flexibility ensures a smooth transition path while maximizing the value of existing infrastructure investments.
Storage foundation for the Dell AI Data Platform
ObjectScale alongside Dell PowerScale, forms the storage foundation of the Dell AI Data Platform. This integrated approach addresses the complete spectrum of AI and analytics workloads from initial data ingestion through model training and inference deployment.
By combining robust data management capabilities with extreme performance and efficiency, ObjectScale enables organizations to streamline AI processing and accelerate insight discovery. The result is a comprehensive platform that supports AI innovation at any scale.
Accelerating AI innovation today
The combination of ObjectScale 4.1 software and XF960 hardware represents a significant leap forward in object storage. These releases demonstrate our commitment to creating technologies that drive human progress by removing barriers to AI innovation.
Organizations ready to supercharge their AI initiatives can begin leveraging these advances immediately. ObjectScale 4.1 is available now as a software upgrade for existing systems. Joining the X560 in the next-generation ObjectScale lineup, the XF960 all-flash appliance is ready to ship for both new deployments and infrastructure refresh projects.
For more details, including a hands-on interactive 3D viewer for the XF960, visit the ObjectScale product page.
1Based on Dell internal analysis of publicly available data as of Mar. 2025. Dell performance is based on large object read throughput per node. Actual results may vary.
2 Based on Dell analysis comparing ObjectScale XF960 with version 4.1 to ECS EX900 with version 3.8 for object reads, Mar. 2025. Actual results may vary.
3 Based on internal Dell testing of compressed data compared with original data in ObjectScale 4.1, Aug. 2025. Compression may vary based on file type, configuration and workload.
4 Based on Dell analysis comparing highest planned drive capacity options on ObjectScale XF960 compared to available drive capacity options on ECS EXF900, July 2025.
5 Based on Dell analysis comparing cyber-security software capabilities offered for Dell ObjectScale vs. competitive products, Mar. 2025.
6 Based on Dell internal analysis of publicly available information on S3 API commands supported, Mar. 2025.
7 Based on internal Dell testing of object listing performance in ObjectScale 4.1 compared to ECS 3.8, July 2025. Actual results may vary.
