PX-CSI 26.3 & Modern Virtualization: FlashArray/FlashBlade Depth, Platform Breadth, Governance
The Portworx CSI (PX-CSI) 26.3.0 release gives Kubernetes teams more flexibility in how they connect to storage. It deepens integration with Pure Storage FlashArray and FlashBlade, adds stronger controls over how capacity is provisioned and consumed, and extends platform support for edge and GPU-based workloads.
What's new in 26.3.0
Flexibility in how workloads connect to storage
Multiple storage protocols in a single Kubernetes cluster
You can now run workloads over iSCSI, NVMe-TCP, or NVMe-RoCE in the same cluster. Each node and application can use the protocol that best fits its requirements, without redeploying the cluster.
Arm support
PX-CSI now runs on Arm-based Kubernetes hosts. This supports edge deployments and modern GPU-based workloads.
Resilience and data protection
ActiveCluster with Realms for SCSI
PX-CSI supports synchronous replication across two FlashArrays with transparent failover. For supported multi-tenant environments, this enables continuous availability with zero RPO and zero RTO.
FlashBlade snapshot restore to a new volume
You can restore a FlashBlade snapshot into a new volume without affecting workloads on the source volume. This supports Kubernetes-native restore and backup workflows.
Cross-array snapshot clone
FlashArray volume snapshots can be replicated asynchronously to a connected target array. Use this for data mobility, remote backup, and KubeVirt CDI golden-image distribution.
Governance and operational control
Per-array volume creation control
You can temporarily stop new volume provisioning on a FlashArray or FlashBlade for maintenance, while existing volumes stay online. In multi-array environments, new PVCs can be routed to other enabled arrays.
FlashArray File PVC size enforcement
PX-CSI now enforces the requested PVC capacity for FlashArray File managed directories using size-based quota policies. Workloads can't consume more storage than they requested.
Multi-server support for FlashArray File
Managed directories can be exported through a specified array server. This provides data and network isolation for enterprise and managed-service-provider environments.
Getting started
- Generate a PX-CSI spec through PX Central.
- Follow the installation guide for new deployments, or the upgrade guide for existing ones.
- Review the feature-specific configuration and enablement guidance in the Portworx CSI documentation.
