Everpure FlashArray//XL: the top of the FlashArray range
FlashArray//XL is the largest member of the FlashArray family, sitting above //X for workloads that need high performance at scale. The R5 generation covers //XL130, //XL170 and //XL190, with raw capacity from 1.464 PB to 2.5 PB and a rack height of 5U to 11U including the DirectFlash Shelf.
Technical specification
| Model | Type | Maximum capacity | Controller | Protocols | Drive type | Rack U |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FlashArray//XL130 R5 | Highest-performance all-flash block | 1.464 PB raw (5.5 PB effective) | Dual controller, data-in-place upgrades | NVMe and NVMe-oF (FC, RoCE, TCP) | DirectFlash Module | 5U – 11U |
| FlashArray//XL170 R5 | Highest-performance all-flash block | 1.97 PB raw (7.4 PB effective) | Dual controller, data-in-place upgrades | NVMe and NVMe-oF (FC, RoCE, TCP) | DirectFlash Module | 5U – 11U |
| FlashArray//XL190 R5 | Highest-performance all-flash block | 2.5 PB raw (9.4 PB effective); up to 6 TB read cache | Dual controller, data-in-place upgrades | NVMe and NVMe-oF (FC, RoCE, TCP) | DirectFlash Module | 5U – 11U |
Source of the values: Everpure FlashArray//XL data sheet. Rack height includes the DirectFlash Shelf. //XL190 R5 is a model added in this generation and is not in our earlier product list. An en dash means the manufacturer does not publish that value; we do not fill it in with an estimate. Confirm every figure against the current manufacturer document before it is written into a contract.
The references we quote in this family are FlashArray//XL130 R5, FlashArray//XL170 R5 and FlashArray//XL190 R5. Send us the reference if you already have one, or the usable capacity and the protocol you need if you do not, and we will confirm availability and lead time.
Which one should you choose?
//XL190 is new in this generation
The R5 line adds //XL190 above //XL170, with 2.5 PB raw and up to 6 TB of read cache. If you are comparing against an older quotation, that model will not appear in it. Make sure both sides of a comparison are on the same generation before reading anything into the price difference.
Rack height is a range, not a number
The published height is 5U to 11U because it includes the DirectFlash Shelf, and how many shelves you need depends on the capacity ordered. Plan the cabinet for the fully populated case rather than the starting configuration, or the growth step turns into a rack move.
Raw and effective are both published, use raw to compare
Everpure publishes both figures: //XL170 R5 is 1.97 PB raw and 7.4 PB effective. Effective assumes the manufacturer’s data reduction. When you compare against another vendor, compare raw against raw, then apply a reduction assumption you are willing to defend.
Non-disruptive upgrade is part of the economics
The family is built around data-in-place upgrades, so a controller refresh does not become a migration project. Over a seven-year horizon that is often a larger number than the hardware price difference. Ask for the subscription terms alongside the hardware quotation.
DirectFlash is not a commodity SSD
The media is addressed directly by the array software rather than through an SSD controller’s own translation layer. That is where the published reliability and density claims come from. It also means the modules are not interchangeable with generic drives, which is a supply consideration worth knowing before a five-year commitment.
Where it fits, and where it does not
Fits a consolidation where a single array must carry many mission-critical workloads at scale, with availability and non-disruptive upgrades written into the requirement. Does not fit a mid-size estate, where //X costs materially less for the same data services.
What we need in order to quote it
- Raw capacity today and the growth step you expect
- Workload mix and the latency target
- Fabric: NVMe/FC, NVMe/TCP, RoCE or Fibre Channel
- Rack units available for the fully populated case
- Subscription or perpetual purchase preference
Request a Quote
Tell us the usable capacity, the protocol and the delivery country. A priced quote comes back within 48 hours, usually with a second option so the trade-off is visible.
