Sun Microsystems today refreshed its modular
storage systems to curry favor with service providers and organizations that
need to store data forged by high-performance computing tasks.
Modular storage machines are typically smaller than large arrays. But
additional drives and controllers can be added by companies that need to
expand their storage capacity.
Customers may buy in small and scale as their application needs change. This is a level of flexibility large, monolithic storage machines can’t always
deliver.
Sun’s StorageTek 6140 and 6540 arrays — the first two machines to be
offered under the Sun StorageTek brand — are geared toward customers who
need to store and protect data in applications that are crucial to the
lifeblood of a business.
For example, the systems are ideal for customers powering database
applications, or service providers that may need to sock away large amounts
of data, said Jason Schaffer, director of product management for modular
storage at Sun.
Running at 4 gigabits-per-second (Gbps) — the new speed standard in data
throughput — the StorageTek 6140 Fibre Channel (FC) array works for both
direct attached (DAS)
Designed for service providers, the system handles Fibre Channel
FC ports, 4 gigabytes of cache, application management, and it tops out at 112
disk drives.
The StorageTek 6540 array, also a 4 Gbps Fibre Channel (FC) array, is geared
more for large databases and high-performance computing for scientific
research and other compute-intensive applications.
The 6540 has much the same perks as its smaller 6140 brother, but has 16GB
of cache and can house much more data with 224 disk drives.
Schaffer said other utilities the two new machines have in common include
the ability for application profiles and profile cloning.
The former relies on automated provisioning to speed configurations; the
latter cuts replication from hours to moments.
Storage volumes in the new systems can also be updated on the fly,
fine-tuning application performance without disrupting business operations.
Such efficiencies are important at a time when IT staffs are smaller or need
to focus on other tasks. Keeping the integrity of the data intact is also a
huge plus for customers concerned about corporate compliance rules.
The 6140 and 6150 will eventually replace Sun’s StorEdge 6130 array, as well as several FlexLine systems from its StorageTek acquisition.
The 6140 starts at $25,000 and is available from Sun and its authorized
resellers. The 6540 array starts at $85,000 and will be available in the
next 30 days.
Sun competes with Hitachi Data Systems and EMC
in the modular storage systems space.
Modular Moves For Sun Storage
