F5 & NetApp join forces to boost enterprise AI & LLM adoption

F5 and NetApp have announced a partnership aimed at enhancing enterprise deployment of Large Language Models (LLMs) by combining F5's secure multicloud networking solutions with NetApp's data management tools. The collaboration is designed to facilitate the use of LLMs across hybrid cloud environments while improving Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) technology implementation.

RAG enables artificial intelligence to deliver more accurate and context-specific responses by integrating relevant, and often proprietary, data into generated answers. This is achieved without exposing the information to public large language models. However, fragmentation of enterprise data often results in silos, complicating integration with LLMs. The partnership between F5 and NetApp aims to resolve this by providing secure access to private data regardless of its location, easing data migrations and mobility.

"F5 is accelerating enterprise AI adoption by integrating our secure, high-performance multicloud networking capabilities with NetApp's robust data management solutions," stated Kunal Anand, Chief Technology and AI Officer at F5. "This powerful collaboration unlocks the potential of RAG, seamlessly blending enterprise data with foundational and frontier AI models." Anand highlighted the benefits of the joint solution in delivering high-speed performance and security, which make AI integration more manageable for enterprises.

NetApp's contribution includes Cloud Volumes ONTAP, which optimises cloud storage costs and performance, while also enhancing data protection and compliance. This, in combination with F5's multicloud networking capabilities, promises to provide secure and efficient data mobility, thereby reducing operational overheads for IT departments. Enterprises will benefit from the ability to migrate data seamlessly across zones and regions, leveraging NetApp's SnapMirror technology for data movement.

Jonsi Stefansson, Chief Technology Officer at NetApp, elaborated on the collaboration's importance. "Our collaboration with F5 helps address the complex challenges of AI deployments in hybrid cloud environments. By combining NetApp's data management solutions with F5's secure multicloud networking technology, we are providing enterprises with a seamless and secure way to manage, protect, and optimise their data to deliver business-critical LLM applications."

As businesses increasingly embrace AI technologies, the need for securely incorporating private data into AI processes has become paramount. This integrated solution by F5 and NetApp seeks to address these needs, providing a unified operational model for data management, security, and networking. Such an operational model aims at reducing costs and achieving effective multicloud RAG configurations to boost AI projects' innovative potential.