Hybrid Cloud’s Next Act: AWS Outposts Expands Storage Options, Signaling a Shift to Distributed Architectures
Over 85% of enterprises are now pursuing a multi-cloud or hybrid cloud strategy, but consistent data access and low latency remain significant hurdles. AWS is directly addressing this challenge. Today’s expansion of AWS Outposts’ third-party storage integration – now including Dell PowerStore and HPE Alletra – isn’t just about adding vendor choices; it’s a clear signal that the future of cloud isn’t solely centralized, but increasingly distributed, bringing compute closer to where the data lives.
Bridging the Gap: Why Third-Party Storage Integration Matters
For years, organizations migrating to the cloud, particularly those running mission-critical VMware workloads, faced a difficult trade-off: rip and replace existing storage infrastructure, or accept performance and data locality compromises. AWS Outposts, and specifically this expanded integration program, offers a compelling alternative. It allows businesses to leverage their existing investments in storage arrays from vendors like Dell, HPE, NetApp, and Pure Storage while benefiting from the agility and innovation of AWS services. This is particularly crucial for industries with stringent data residency requirements – finance, healthcare, and government, for example – where keeping data on-premises is non-negotiable.
From Block Volumes to Booting: A Timeline of Enhanced Integration
AWS has been steadily building out these capabilities. The initial step in December 2024, enabling attachment of block data volumes, was important, but the July 2025 milestone – allowing EC2 instances to boot directly from external storage – was a game-changer. This eliminates the need to replicate operating systems and applications, streamlining deployments and reducing complexity. The addition of Dell and HPE simply broadens the ecosystem, giving customers more flexibility and negotiating power.
Technical Deep Dive: iSCSI, NVMe-over-TCP, and Boot Options
The flexibility extends to the technical implementation. AWS Outposts supports both iSCSI SANboot (read-write and read-only) and Localboot (read-only via iSCSI or NVMe-over-TCP). This allows organizations to choose the boot method that best aligns with their security policies and performance requirements. The availability of AWS-verified AMIs for Windows Server 2022 and Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9, coupled with automation scripts via AWS Samples, further simplifies the setup process, reducing the burden on IT teams.
Performance Boost with Second-Generation Outposts
The timing of this expansion is also significant. It coincides with the availability of second-generation AWS Outposts racks, which deliver a substantial performance increase – twice the vCPU, memory, and network bandwidth compared to the first generation. Combining this enhanced compute power with optimized storage solutions from partners like Dell and HPE unlocks new possibilities for demanding workloads, including real-time analytics, machine learning inference at the edge, and low-latency applications. The integration also works seamlessly with Outposts’ simplified network scaling capabilities, making it easier to adapt to changing demands.
The Rise of the Distributed Cloud and Edge Computing
This isn’t just an AWS story; it’s part of a broader trend towards distributed cloud architectures. As more data is generated at the edge – from IoT devices, autonomous vehicles, and remote sensors – the need to process that data closer to the source becomes paramount. Traditional centralized cloud models struggle to meet these latency and bandwidth requirements. AWS Outposts, along with similar offerings from other cloud providers, represents a strategic response to this challenge. A recent report by Gartner predicts that by 2027, 60% of all enterprise workloads will be run outside of the traditional centralized cloud. Gartner’s research highlights the growing importance of distributed cloud solutions.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Hybrid Cloud Storage?
We can expect to see further innovation in this space. Expect tighter integration between cloud storage services and on-premises storage arrays, potentially leveraging technologies like storage class memory and computational storage. Automation and AI-powered management tools will become increasingly important, simplifying the deployment and operation of hybrid cloud storage environments. Furthermore, the focus will shift towards providing a truly seamless experience, allowing applications to transparently access data regardless of its location. The expansion of AWS Outposts’ storage integration program is a pivotal step in this evolution, paving the way for a more flexible, scalable, and responsive cloud infrastructure.
What are your biggest challenges when it comes to managing data across hybrid cloud environments? Share your experiences in the comments below!
