Storage news ticker – March 2

Snowflake has expanded its Cortex Code CLI agent to support local environments, meaning the AI coding agent can now support non Snowflake workflows. The agent can now use data in dbt and Apache Airflow environments, as well as Snowflake housed data. Other environments seem to be on the way, with the company referring to its aim to support “any data source across systems.” Non-Snowflake customers can use the CLI under a monthly subscription. The firm said this was “a step toward Snowflake’s vision of enabling developers to use Cortex Code CLI “across all major data systems - think any data, anywhere.” More broadly, it’s a recognition that developers don’t work within a single system – not even Snowflake’s.   

London-based Cristie Software has unwrapped FSBlocker, a protection utility to prevent unwanted deletion or modification of critical files or systems on Windows systems. The aim is to protect files, including backup and recovery data, against ransomware and other malicious code. Though sheer idiocy by insiders is also a threat. The company described the tool as a lightweight kernel driver, meaning minimal system impact, which offers “Configurable file system lockdown at file or folder level” across virtual or physical machines, without the need for AV detection or signature updates. 

The Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA) has published SCSI Block Commands 5 (SBC-5), which delivers a series of enhancements aimed at operational efficiency, scalability and fault tolerance. The consortium trumpeted a “particular emphasis on HDD-based storage, which remains critical in hyperscale and enterprise data centers supporting data-intensive workloads.” Not least as flash shortages are rampant, and HDDs are themselves are increasingly hard to come by. So, new additions include: failed element depopulation with data preservation, initially for HDDs and possibly for SSDs in the future; dual and multi-actuator HDD support, meaning improved parallelism and throughput in next generation HDDs; expanded HDD zoning support; and support for JEDEC UFS data streams, meaning enhanced interoperability with Universal Flash Storage (UFS) devices “and reinforcing SCSI’s adaptability across diverse storage technologies”.

Sandisk has expanded its portable SSD lineup, with three tiers of device aimed at different markets. The Extreme Portable SSD is pitched at photo or video enthusiasts, and professionals, with read speeds of up to 2,000MB/s. It will come in 1TB to 4TB models, with a 500GB version later this year. The Extreme Pro, available later this year, will offer 4,000MB/s read speed and range from 2TB to 4TB, with an 8TB model in time. Both Extreme devices will offer 256bit AES encryption and 3 meter drop protection. The range is filled out with the Portable SSD aimed at students, office workers and family archivists. This will offer 1,000MB/s read speed, with capacity of 1TB to 2TB, with a 500GB on the agenda. 

Confluent has launched a reseller program to help resellers and partners scale their data streaming businesses. Kamal Brar, Senior Vice President, Partners and Technology Group at Confluent, said the Sell With Confluent program would help resellers solve the problems of slow approvals, murky pricing, and complicated processes. “We've made it simple so they can capitalize on the opportunity in front of them.” The opportunity being the need to service EMEA customers who are looking to scale up their real time data and AI operations amidst a ”diverse” regulatory environment. So, as well as a restructured rewards program and co-marketing funds, Confluent said new self-service quoting tools will enable instant quote generation with programmatic discounts applied automatically. The firm said it was also building up its network of in-country certified experts.” Details are here.