VAST Ceres DASE Node (1U BlueField DPU, E1.L NVMe)
Disaggregated all-flash density that scales from terabytes to petabytes.
We help you choose, configure, and deliver the right system — no obligation.
Configuration at a Glance
Tailored per engagement. Full technical overview below.
Configuration Options
Core specifications for this system. Every component is configurable to your workload — request a quote for a tailored build.
22x E1.L NVMe ruler SSDs (15.36TB or 30TB), up to ~675 TB raw
Overview
The VAST Ceres node is a 1U building block of VAST Universal Storage that replaces x86 controllers with NVIDIA BlueField DPUs and PCIe switching for extreme flash density. Nexus Compute specifies, configures, and tests each enclosure to your capacity and growth plan, delivered with full warranty through authorized VAST channels.
Who This Solution Is For
Business Benefits
Maximum flash per rack U
Twenty-two E1.L ruler SSDs in 1U deliver hundreds of terabytes per enclosure while cutting power and floor space.
Compute and capacity scale apart
DASE architecture lets you grow protocol servers and storage independently, avoiding stranded resources.
No controller bottleneck
BlueField DPUs and a PCIe fabric remove the x86 controller, so every drive is shared and directly addressable.
Typical Business Use Cases
Dense all-flash capacity expansion
Disaggregated shared storage for GPU clusters
AI data lakes consolidating files and objects
Energy- and space-constrained data centers
Industry Applications
Technical Overview
Each Ceres enclosure uses four NVIDIA BlueField DPUs and a PCIe switching fabric to directly connect 22 E1.L NVMe ruler SSDs plus a storage-class-memory write buffer, eliminating traditional x86 storage controllers. As part of VAST's Disaggregated Shared-Everything (DASE) architecture, all SSDs are shared and addressed by front-end protocol servers over NVMe-oF, delivering over 60 GB/s per 1U enclosure.
| Form Factor | 1U enclosure |
| Controller | 4x NVIDIA BlueField DPUs (no x86 CPU) |
| Storage | 22x E1.L NVMe ruler SSDs (15.36TB or 30TB), up to ~675 TB raw |
| Write Buffer | Storage-class memory (SCM) staging tier |
| Throughput | Over 60 GB/s per enclosure |
| Networking/Fabric | 800 Gb/s total (4x 100GbE), NVMe-oF over RDMA |
| Data Access | NFS multipathing, NVMe-oF, NVIDIA GPUDirect Storage |
| Management | VAST Universal Storage (DASE), single namespace |
| Warranty | Manufacturer warranty via authorized channels |
Specifications are indicative and configured to each engagement. Request a quote for a configuration tailored to your requirements.
Warranty, Support & Fulfillment
Every system ships from an authorized channel, configured and tested, with the documentation enterprise buyers need — backed by warranty and a dedicated account team.
Enterprise Warranty
Full manufacturer warranty with optional on-site, next-business-day support and extended coverage.
Authorized Channel
Sourced through Tier-1 distribution and OEM partners — never grey market. Asset & warranty records included.
Lead Time & Deployment
48-hour quotes, then configured, burn-in tested, and delivered on a committed schedule.
Nationwide Fulfillment
Coordinated logistics, rack-and-stack, and delivery wherever your infrastructure lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What capacity does a single Ceres node provide?
A 1U enclosure scales to roughly 675 TB raw depending on drive choice, with a minimum entry point around 338 TB; we size drive capacity and node count to your data footprint and growth.
Why use BlueField DPUs instead of x86 controllers?
Replacing x86 with DPUs and PCIe switching removes the controller bottleneck and shrinks the enclosure to 1U, so density and efficiency rise while every drive stays directly shareable across the cluster.
How do I add capacity later?
VAST's DASE design lets you add Ceres nodes for capacity independently of compute, so the cluster grows without re-architecting or disrupting the single namespace.
Hardware Assistance
Configure the VAST Ceres DASE Node (1U BlueField DPU, E1.L NVMe) with Nexus Compute
Tell us your requirements and a hardware specialist will help you specify, configure, and quote the right system — typically within two business days. No obligation.