Day: May 17, 2023

NetApp® (NASDAQ: NTAP), a global, cloud-led, data-centric software company, today announced several innovative products and programs including a new modern block storage offering and a guarantee highlighting NetApp’s best-in-class ability to recover from ransomware attacks.

NetApp’s new ASA (All-Flash SAN Array) A-Series family.png

NetApp’s new ASA (All-Flash SAN Array) A-Series family

This announcement addresses critical customer challenges including increasing IT complexity, restricted IT budgets, increased urgency around sustainability, and the continued exponential growth of cyberthreats. NetApp’s new ASA (All-Flash SAN Array) A-Series family simplifies the deployment of modern SAN infrastructure, while providing guaranteed availability and guaranteed efficiency with accompanying cost savings and leading sustainability. NetApp is also announcing a Ransomware Recovery Guarantee at a time when ransomware costs to global organizations are expected to rise from $20 billion in 2021 to $265 billion by 2031.

“In an increasingly complex world, organizations are looking for simplicity and security as a baseline,” said Sandeep Singh, Senior Vice President and GM Enterprise Storage. “NetApp’s leadership in storage technology helps customers solve data storage challenges with operational simplicity at scale, built-in security to manage and recover from ransomware threats, and Flash storage backed by guaranteed efficiencies to meet or exceed sustainability and savings goals.”

Building upon NetApp’s history of excellence and innovation in storage, today’s enhancements to NetApp’s portfolio include:

NetApp ASA – Increased Simplicity for Modern Block Storage

Leveraging more than two decades of data storage expertise and more than 20,000 SAN workload customers, NetApp is extending its leadership in NAS and Unified storage with a dedicated block storage line of products, enabling customers to collapse infrastructure silos and simplify their structured and unstructured data environments on-prem and in the cloud.

The NetApp ASA A-Series is a new line of SAN-specific flash storage systems that delivers superior performance, scalability, data availability, efficiency, and hybrid cloud connectivity for business-critical applications and databases. Additional features include:

Six Nines data availability guarantee (99.9999%)*

NetApp ASA delivers industry-leading effective capacity with industry-leading usable capacity combined with NetApp’s 4:1 Storage Efficiency Guarantee*

Building on NetApp’s commitment to sustainability, NetApp ASA delivers up to 50% lower power consumption and associated carbon emissions than competitive offerings

Modern data storage built on all-NVMe performance flash with NVMe/FC, NVMe/TCP, FC, and iSCSI protocols

Continuous data access to all ASA arrays with symmetric active-active architecture typically found only on the most cost-prohibitive high-end arrays

Storage Lifecycle Program, which offers customers non-disruptive upgrades to the latest storage controller technology every three, four, or five years at no additional cost

Integrated data protection and hybrid cloud connectivity to ensure data is secure and can extend to AWS, Azure and GCP

“NetApp’s latest ASA enhancements provide more flexibility to our existing mission-critical databases and adds data efficiency at a lower price,” said Reinoud Reynders, IT Manager Infrastructure & Operations at UZ Leuven. “The new data availability and efficiency guarantees gives us added confidence that NetApp is also the right partner for UZ Leuven as we scale.”

NetApp Ransomware Recovery Guarantee

The NetApp Ransomware Recovery Guarantee leverages ONTAP’s unique combination of key built-in security and ransomware protection features. ONTAP can automatically block known malicious file types, block rogue admins and malicious users with multi-admin verification, and provide tamper-proof snapshots that can’t be deleted – even by the storage administrator. With ONTAP’s industry-leading autonomous ransomware protection, attacks can be detected, additional snapshots are taken immediately, and recovery can occur in a matter of minutes. Given this unparalleled combination of technologies, NetApp will now warrant snapshot data recovery in the event of a ransomware attack. In the event that data copies can’t be recovered with help from NetApp or partner assistance, NetApp will offer compensation*.

“Today’s modern IT environments are becoming increasingly complex. Coupled with the growing ransomware attacks, organizations in APAC will need to rethink their cyber resilience strategy by placing a premium on data security and business continuity,” said You Qinghong, Solutions Engineering Lead, Greater China, ASEAN and South Korea, NetApp. “With NetApp’s industry-leading ONTAP solutions and our unique data storage portfolio and guarantees, organizations can have peace of mind and focus on driving critical business outcomes.”

In addition to the new NetApp ASA family and the NetApp Ransomware Recovery Guarantee, this launch is accompanied by:

ONTAP One, the most comprehensive all-inclusive and built-in storage software, is now available for all AFF, ASA, and FAS systems. NetApp is also making the capabilities built into ONTAP One available to existing deployed systems under support.

ONTAP May 2023 Release, which improves ransomware protection and management of consolidated workloads.

StorageGRID 11.7 & StorageGRID SGF6112, a new version of the StorageGRID software with advanced capabilities for disaster recovery, updates for security and compliance, simplified user experience and more, plus a next-generation all-Flash object storage appliance with improved performance and density to support rapidly growing performance-hungry object workloads with large amounts of data, including AI, analytics, and data lakes.

NetApp Advance has expanded, growing NetApp’s portfolio of simplified buyer programs and guarantees, which continually evolve customer’s storage environments with confidence.

“This announcement is strategic for NetApp, but also aligns to what ESG is finding within our research, which is that the data center isn’t going away,” said Scott Sinclair, Practice Director at Enterprise Strategy Group. “Data demands are growing every day, players like NetApp recognize this and see the need for innovation everywhere. It’s great to see more storage options from NetApp, the leaders in File, who pioneered the Unified movement.”

*Specific terms and conditions will apply

Additional Resources:

Data storage that’s ready for the modern world

Introducing NetApp ASA: All-flash SAN array

NetApp introduces Ransomware Recovery Guarantee for primary storage

ONTAP One: The full power of ONTAP, now all in one

SAN storage so rock solid we guarantee your data availability

New ONTAP May 2023 release; Innovating in security and simplicity

What’s new in the StorageGRID object storage family

NetApp is a global, cloud-led, data-centric software company that empowers organizations to lead with data in the age of accelerated digital transformation. The company provides systems, software, and cloud services that enable them to run their applications optimally from data center to cloud, whether they are developing in the cloud, moving to the cloud, or creating their own cloudlike experiences on-premises. With solutions that perform across diverse environments, NetApp helps organizations build their own data fabric and securely deliver the right data, services, and applications to the right people—anytime, anywhere. Learn more at www.netapp.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Source: Xinhua Finance Agency

Cotton Cultivation is going on across the country with both government and farmers expecting better results than last year.

The Punjab government is aiming for cotton cultivation at 5 million acres across the province with a production target set at 8.2 million bales.

The government has announced the minimum support price of Rs. 8,500 per kg for cotton, an increase of Rs. 2,800 over last year. The Punjab government is also providing Rs. 600 million and Rs. 11 billion in subsidies on cotton seeds and fertilizers respectively. Cotton cultivation is expected to go on till 31st May and the agriculture department looks confident that it will achieve the target.

Last year, the provincial government targeted 4 million acres and was able to achieve 90 percent of the target, although the crop was damaged in some southern districts due to floods.

The cash crop has been recently reclaiming areas lost to other crops in the past like sugarcane due to new better cultivars and high and stable prices due to increased demand.

While the newly introduced triple gene varieties have given new hope and brought old farmers back, these farmers are still confronting a number of old problems. Seed purity constitutes a major issue in achieving high cotton productivity in Cotton as it is far more sensitive to climate indicators (heat), disease, and pests compared to other crops.

Moreover, nearly all the cotton cultivated in Pakistan is genetically engineered. The whole success of this crop, whether it would stand a pink bollworm attack or not and how much yield it will give under high temperatures comes down to the genetic characteristics and if that seed is not pure, no pesticides can ensure crop safety.

According to State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) data, only 40 percent of the seeds triple-gene cotton cultivars introduced by the Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB) have provided resilience against pink bollworm and glyphosate herbicides which have tremendously increased cotton’s success rate despite.

Seeds of these and other cotton varieties are being produced in limited amounts by government and private companies but with the increase in demand, scammers have jumped in with the counterfeit seeds to fill the vacuum and exploit farmers.

Farmers are constantly ending up with unapproved varieties, being sold to them through Facebook and other social media platforms, which fail to show any performance in the field” commented a researcher at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. He argued that unless farmers are provided with the approved varieties, farmers will keep failing in achieving their productivity goals.

These fake seeds hurt the farmers financially in the short term, they also damage the reputation of new cultivars in the long run. Switching crops and buying new seeds is a heavy investment for growers and when it pans out badly, it discourages the farming community from growing cotton next year.

While seed purity is an issue in all major crops, the problem is worsened in cotton due to the lack of private-sector investments. Additionally, government institutions failed to anticipate the increased cotton cultivation post-Covid and prepare the resources accordingly.

The government is providing millions of rupees in seed subsidies, but there are not enough pure seeds in the market in the first place. When farmers turn to unofficial channels like social media groups to fill their demand, it proves difficult to verify the purity, and they often get scammed with no failsafe in place.

During every sowing season, the market is bombarded with thousands of maunds of non-certified seeds being sold in the name of leading certified varieties of bags with no tags on them, precisely as you would expect in a high-demand/low-supply scenario with no checks and balances in place. It’s not humanly possible to distinguish between cultivars by simply looking at them.

The government needs to better channel the distribution of approved varieties, especially in remote areas, and invest in producing these seeds on a mass scale partnering with key companies in the private sector. The laws and regulations regarding certified seeds and tags on bags need to be enforced by local administrations.

Awareness should be raised among the farming community about verifying the seed quality and also about buying from safe channels. The unique way of doing so is if the government partners with major e-commerce players, so effective seed distribution can be ensured across the province with little or no local infrastructure present.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Pakistan’s mountaineer Shehroze Kashif has added yet another magnificent accolade to his name. Shehroze successfully summited the world’s seventh-highest peak, Dhaulagiri in Nepal standing at an impressive 8,167 meters. With this achievement, Shehroze has now conquered 12 out of the 14 eight-thousanders.

At just 21 years of age, Shehroze Kashif has become the youngest climber in the world to summit 12 peaks above eight thousand meters.

His remarkable feat surpasses the previous record set by Nepalese mountaineer, Mingma Gyabu Sherpa at the age of 30. Shehroze is also the second Pakistani to conquer Dhaulagiri, following in the footsteps of Sarbaz Ali.

Shehroze Kashif has scaled the heights of 12 eight-thousanders, demonstrating his exceptional mountaineering skills and determination. His next targets are Cho Oyu in Nepal and Shishapangma in China to complete the entire set of 14 eight-thousanders.

Shehroze Kashif’s quest to conquer all 14 peaks at such a young age reflects his ambition and passion for mountaineering. Kashif’s successful ascent of Dhaulagiri not only adds to his personal accolades but also brings pride to his home country, Pakistan. It highlights the nation’s rich mountaineering heritage and the remarkable talent that exists within its borders.

As the youngest climber to achieve this remarkable feat, Shehroze Kashif has set a new benchmark in the world of mountaineering.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Lahore City Traffic Police (CTP) will now impose a fine of Rs. 2,000 fine on wrong parking and wrong-way driving. According to a media report, the decision was made on the orders of Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Lahore Mustansar Feroz, during a meeting at Police Lines, Qila Gujar Singh.

The meeting was attended by all traffic circle officers, sector in-charge personnel, and wardens. The CTO emphasized a zero-tolerance approach against encroachments, improper parking, and illegal parking stands.

He suggested strict action against violations of traffic laws and ordered a crackdown on one-way, encroachment, and improper parking. CTO stated that a Rs. 2,000 fine will effectively discourage the motorists from breaking the law and causing inconvenience to other drivers.

He ordered that a case be filed for repeated violations and instructed the divisional officers to uphold the policy on rotation. Absenteeism, impoliteness, and apathy toward duties will not be tolerated, the CTO stated.

Source: Pro Pakistani

The Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir says no one will be allowed to disrespect our Shuhada and their monuments.

Talking to officers and troops during his visit to Sialkot Garrison on Wednesday, he said Shuhada are a source of inspiration and pride for the rank and file of the Armed Forces, Law Enforcement Agencies, Government officials and the people of Pakistan.

The Army Chief said that the State of Pakistan and Armed Forces will always maintain all Shuhada and their families in very high esteem and continue to honor them and their supreme sacrifices with utmost respect and dignity.

He reassured the ranks and files that all those responsible for bringing shame to the nation on Black Day of 9th May would certainly be brought to Justice.

He stressed upon maintaining focus on Army’s professionalism and preparedness to deal with complex internal and external security challenges including propaganda warfare.

Earlier, COAS laid floral wreath at Martyrs’ Monument to pay homage to the Shuhada.

Source: Radio Pakistan