Huawei Unveils Oceanstor Dorado V7
- MUNICH – Huawei showcased its latest V7 generation of OceanStor Dorado storage arrays at the European Id Forum 2025 this week.
- benoît Fix, a Huawei France storage expert, stated the new TLC SSDs offer a raw capacity of 30 TB, effectively doubling the previous capacity.
- While faster SSD tlcs were previously capped at 15 TB, Huawei plans to introduce 122 TB SSDs this summer.
Huawei Unveils Next-Gen OceanStor Dorado Storage Solutions
MUNICH – Huawei showcased its latest V7 generation of OceanStor Dorado storage arrays at the European Id Forum 2025 this week. The updated series features enhanced DPU cards designed to support greater capacities without compromising speed, while retaining the Arm Kunpeng processors from the previous generation.
benoît Fix, a Huawei France storage expert, stated the new TLC SSDs offer a raw capacity of 30 TB, effectively doubling the previous capacity. “We are doubling this capacity, that is to say that you will reach 1 PB in use in ultra-fast SSD on an Oceanstor Dorado 3000 from entry-level,” Fix said.
While faster SSD tlcs were previously capped at 15 TB, Huawei plans to introduce 122 TB SSDs this summer. however, these will be QLC models, which are less efficient and not intended for the OceanStor Dorado series. The OceanStor Dorado systems are network-attached storage (NAS) solutions tailored for applications requiring intensive file access, hypervisors, and calculation servers.
Fix also addressed performance concerns related to increasing SSD capacity. “The problem is that if you are increasing the capacity of SSDs without increasing the cache memory upstream, your performance drops… They recommend that you change machine for a higher range as soon as you reach a certain capacity. Because even if their machine supports the good number of SSDs, it does not properly manage all the available space,” he said, implying that Huawei’s competitors face this issue.
Huawei now provides a Flashever subscription program, similar to Pure Storage’s Evergreen program. This program allows customers to receive automatic controller replacements upon the release of new generations. According to Fix,these controller replacements can be performed without interrupting the machine’s operation.
Four Models, Varied Capacities
A key improvement in the V7 generation is the doubled number of bays that can be assembled in a cluster. Deployments can now include clusters of eight Dorado 3000 (16 controllers), sixteen Dorado 5000/6000 (32 controllers), or 8000 (64 controllers). This increase in cluster unit capacity is reportedly linked to the increased RAM in each node. The Dorado 3000 now features up to 1.5 TB of RAM, the 5000 up to 8 TB, the 6000 up to 24 TB, and the 8000 up to 32 TB.
performance is expected to remain consistent with the previous generation, achieving 100 million IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second).
The high-end OceanStor Dorado 8000 features four controllers in a 4U chassis.the Dorado 5000 and 6000, like the Dorado 3000, have two controllers in a 2U chassis. Each pair of controllers connects to 25 internal SSDs accessible on the front. The number of network cards varies by model: the Dorado 3000, 5000, and 6000 have 12, while the Dorado 8000 has 24.
Each network card offers either four 25 gbit/s Ethernet connectors or two 100 Gbit/s connectors. These connectors are used to expand storage capacity with external 2U SSD drawers containing 36 SSDs each, or to cluster multiple machines to increase access speeds.
The number of machines in a cluster correlates with the RAM capacity. Similarly, the number of connectable SSDs varies: 1,200 on the Dorado 3000, 3,200 for the Dorado 5000, 4,800 for the Dorado 6000, and 6,400 for the Dorado 8000. The quantities of SSDs, network cards, and RAM are interconnected.
Proprietary RDMA Connection
Beyond the variable quantities, the motherboards and DPUs are consistent across all models, setting this architecture apart from other commercial storage arrays.
Joey Liu, chief architect of the OceanStor Dorado series, explained the unique connection architecture. “Usually, you put in a Bay of the NVME SSD trade which are each connected to the X86 processor of the machine via a certain number of PCIe channels… This is not how it effectively works with us. The SSDs are not connected to the processor. They are connected to our DPU accelerating cards, via RDMA channels in 100 Gbit/s,” Liu said, emphasizing that the Huawei SSDs used in these arrays are proprietary.
“The controllers of these RDMA channels are integrated into each of the chips we design. They are in the Kunpeng processors of the Mother Cards of the dorado and in the DPUs which are connected to them. this architecture allows us to deploy a sort of switch inside the bay which allows you to switch very quickly from one SSD to another to avoid bottlenecks,” Liu added.
The same circuit manages both the 25 internal SSDs of the Dorado and the hundreds of external SSDs in the 36-SSD external drawers, effectively treating the internal SSD pool as an external SSD drawer.
NVMe SSD contents are typically accessible as if they were in a processor memory space, hence the term DMA (Direct Memory Address).when these NVMe drives are installed on a physically separate unit, it’s referred to as RDMA (Remote Direct Memory Address), specifying the link between the two units, often an Ethernet link, or even Converged Ethernet (RoCE, or RDMA over Converged Ethernet).
In this case, the SSDs connect to the internal DPU acceleration chip rather than directly to the processor, hence the use of RDMA.
Object Storage and Backup Updates
In addition to the dorado NAS arrays, Huawei has updated its OceanStor Pacific series, designed for object storage. These arrays,which are slower than the Dorado,utilize QLC SSDs. The new 9920/9928 models reach a capacity of 4 PB in 2U, thanks to 61 TB SSDs. This capacity is expected to double with the introduction of 122 TB QLC SSDs this summer.
Similarly, the new OceanProtect arrays are now fully equipped with QLC SSDs, increasing their capacity to up to 16 PB.The X3000, X6000, and X8000 models share similar formats and electronics with the Dorado series.
These machines connect directly to the OceanStor Dorado and Pacific arrays to automatically protect their content.
Huawei OceanStor Dorado V7: Your Questions Answered
Huawei has just unveiled its next generation of OceanStor Dorado storage arrays, bringing significant advancements in speed, capacity, and features. This Q&A will break down the key innovations and explain how they benefit businesses.
What’s New in the Huawei OceanStor Dorado V7?
The V7 generation of the OceanStor dorado storage arrays includes key improvements, most notably a significant increase in both raw storage capacity and the number of supported SSDs within a cluster. the DPU cards have also been enhanced to support greater capacities without compromising speed, while still using the same Arm Kunpeng processors.
What Kind of SSDs Does the OceanStor Dorado V7 Use?
The new OceanStor Dorado V7 utilizes TLC (Triple-Level Cell) SSDs, offering a raw capacity of 30 TB, effectively doubling the previous capacity. huawei also plans to introduce 122 TB QLC (Quad-Level Cell) SSDs later, though these are not slated for the Dorado series itself, and will be utilized in the OceanStor Pacific series.
What is the Benefit of Increasing SSD Capacity?
Increasing SSD capacity offers the immediate benefit of allowing customers to store more data within the same physical footprint.By doubling the capacity, companies can store twice as much data in their storage systems. Crucially, the new Dorado V7 is designed to avoid performance bottlenecks that can arise when simply increasing the storage size without also increasing the machine’s cache memory and backend processing power.
What is the Difference Between TLC and QLC SSDs?
TLC (Triple-Level Cell) SSDs store three bits of data per cell, offering a good balance of performance, endurance, and cost. QLC (Quad-Level Cell) SSDs store four bits per cell.While QLC allows for much higher capacities at a lower cost,it generally comes with decreased performance and endurance compared to TLC. That is why QLC is not intended for the Dorado Series.
What Applications Are Best Suited for OceanStor Dorado?
The OceanStor Dorado systems are Network Attached Storage (NAS) solutions. They are well-suited for applications demanding intense file access, such as:
- Hypervisors
- Calculation Servers
- High-performance Computing (HPC) environments
Does Huawei Offer a Service Program for Controller Replacements?
Yes, Huawei provides a Flashever subscription program, similar to pure Storage’s Evergreen program. This program allows customers to receive automatic controller replacements when new generations are released, with the replacements performed without interrupting the machines’s operation.
What Are the Different Models of the OceanStor Dorado V7?
The V7 generation offers four models, varying in capacity, connectivity and cluster support:
- Dorado 3000: Entry-level with up to 1.5TB RAM, supporting clusters of up to 8 units.
- Dorado 5000: Mid-range with up to 8TB RAM, supporting clusters of up to 16 units.
- Dorado 6000: Mid-range with up to 24TB RAM,supporting clusters of up to 16 units.
- Dorado 8000: High-end with up to 32TB RAM, supporting clusters of up to 64 units.
What are the Key Performance Metrics of the Dorado V7?
performance is expected to remain consistent with the previous generation.the Dorado V7 systems can achieve up to 100 million IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second).
what are the key specification of the OceanStor Dorado V7?
| Feature | Dorado 3000 | Dorado 5000 | dorado 6000 | Dorado 8000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chassis | 2U | 2U | 2U | 4U |
| Controllers | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Internal SSDs | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Network Cards | 12 | 12 | 12 | 24 |
| Max RAM (per node) | 1.5 TB | 8 TB | 24 TB | 32 TB |
| max SSDs (cluster) | 1,200 | 3,200 | 4,800 | 6,400 |
How Does the OceanStor Dorado V7 Connect to SSDs?
Unlike traditional storage systems where SSDs connect directly to the processor via PCIe, the OceanStor Dorado V7 utilizes a proprietary architecture. The SSDs connect to DPU accelerating cards via Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) channels operating at 100 Gbit/s. These DPUs are integrated with the Kunpeng processors on the mother cards specifically designed to avoid bottlenecks by way of custom designed switching.
what is RDMA and Why is it Used in the OceanStor Dorado?
RDMA (Remote Direct Memory Access) allows data to be transferred directly from the memory of one computer to the memory of another, without involving the operating system or CPU of either machine. In the context of the Dorado, RDMA is used to connect the SSDs to the DPUs, enabling very fast data transfer, low latency, and high throughput, which is crucial for high-performance storage applications.
What are the Benefits of Using RDMA in the Dorado V7 ?
- Reduced Latency: bypassing the OS and CPU reduces transfer times.
- Increased Throughput: RDMA allows faster data transfer rates.
- Lower CPU Utilization: Offloading data transfer tasks frees up CPU resources.
How Does the Dorado V7 Handle External SSD Drawers?
The Dorado V7’s architecture is designed to treat external SSD drawers containing 36 SSDs each, as an extension of its internal SSD pool. The same circuit that manages internal SSDs also manages external ones, allowing for seamless integration and consistent performance across both.
How Does the Dorado V7 Compare to other storage solutions?
The Dorado V7 distinguishes itself with its unique RDMA-based architecture, specifically the integration of DPUs with custom switching, and direct connection to both internal and external SSDs. The combination of strong IOPs performance and high raw capacity, available in a variety of models, allow the Dorado to suit several use cases and capacity needs.
What Updates Have Been Made to Huawei’s Object Storage Solutions?
Huawei has updated its OceanStor Pacific series,designed for object storage by introducing new 9920/9928 models,which utilize QLC SSDs. The new models have achieved a capacity of up to 4 PB in a 2U form factor. Huawei is also planning to release models using the 122 TB QLC SSDs in the near future.
Additionally,the OceanProtect array is now fully equipped with QLC SSDs,reaching up to 16 PB of capacity. Interestingly, both the OceanProtect and Dorado series share similar formats and electronics, including the DPU, processors as well as the underlying designs. They connect directly to OceanStor Dorado and Pacific arrays for automatic content protection.
What are the Key Takeaways about the OceanStor Dorado V7?
The OceanStor Dorado V7 represents a significant leap forward in storage technology, offering:
- Increased capacity with 30TB TLC SSDs and upcoming 122TB QLC SSDs.
- High performance (100 million IOPS) due to the DPU and RDMA solution.
- Improved cluster scalability with increased allowed controller numbers.
- Integration with the OceanProtect and OceanStor Pacific series for comprehensive data management.
The OceanStor Dorado V7 provides a robust, high-performance storage solution tailored for demanding environments. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies like RDMA and high-capacity SSDs, Huawei’s latest storage arrays are designed to deliver speed, scalability, and reliability.