JetStor Deploys 80 Petabyte High-Density Archive for Government Agency

JetStor has successfully implemented an 80 petabyte (PB) high-density archive for a major government agency, marking one of the largest on-premises archive deployments in the public sector to date. This advanced storage solution is engineered to meet stringent security and long-term data retention requirements, leveraging JetStor’s modular POD-based architecture in combination with Western Digital (WD) Ultrastar 26 TB enterprise-class hard drives. The result is a secure, scalable, and cost-effective storage infrastructure purpose-built for large-scale data archiving.

Addressing Public Sector Storage Challenges

Managing data at this scale presents unique challenges for public-sector IT teams, particularly the need to expand storage capacity efficiently without disrupting ongoing operations or requiring extensive retraining. JetStor addressed these challenges by standardizing the deployment into repeatable POD building blocks. Each POD is anchored by WD Ultrastar DC HC590 26 TB SAS 7200RPM drives, distributed across 132 JetStor XS3324D 4U 24-bay systems, totaling 3,200 drives.

This architecture utilizes a dual Fibre Channel fabric, enabling seamless expansion and straightforward infrastructure management. The design ensures that as storage needs grow, the system remains predictable, serviceable, and isolated from active production networks. According to JetStor’s founder, Gene Leyzarovich, “Standardizing the deployment into repeatable POD building blocks and pairing them with WD 26 TB Ultrastar drives delivers an active archive that scales cleanly, stays isolated on Fibre Channel, and remains straightforward to operate.”

Enterprise-Grade Collaboration and Reliability

The collaboration between JetStor and Western Digital highlights the growing demand for storage solutions that offer durability, predictable performance, and cost efficiency at scale. Dan Christman, Senior Vice President of Product Management and Emerging Businesses at WD, noted, “JetStor’s POD blueprint demonstrates how WD’s Ultrastar drives enable organizations to build a resilient, scalable data foundation that supports long-term retention and access with confidence.”

Key Features of the 80 PB Archive Deployment

  • Massive Scale: 80 PB of secure, high-density storage designed for long-term data retention and future growth within a government agency.
  • Enterprise Collaboration: Deployment includes 132 JetStor XS3324D 32G FC 4U 24-bay systems and 3,200 WD Ultrastar 26 TB SAS data center drives.
  • Zero Downtime: Dual-fabric Fibre Channel architecture ensures continuous, non-disruptive serviceability at scale.

Technical Overview

Delivering an 80 PB archive with zero downtime required meticulous planning and disciplined execution. The deployment’s dual A/B Fibre Channel fabric strategy and standardized operational procedures ensure predictable growth and reliable performance. For a comprehensive breakdown of the hardware, architecture, and operational standards, refer to the full case study on JetStor’s website.