Enterprise Storage Snapshots offers a weekly wrap-up of what’s going on in the storage industry.
Here are our storage news highlights for the second week of December: VERITAS ramps up its Storage Foundation software with support for Windows Server 2003 and Windows Storage Server 2003 technologies, Xyratex launches a new Fibre Channel to SATA RAID subsystem, Sony seeks to reel in SMBs with the new DAT 72 media format, and EMCORE delivers its SmartLink 10 Gbps Fibre Interconnect media converter.
VERITAS Builds Foundation for Windows Storage Management
VERITAS this week introduced VERITAS Storage Foundation 4.0 for Windows, storage management and virtualization software designed to help customers deploy utility computing in Windows-based environments.
The latest release of Storage Foundation provides advanced volume management and virtualization capabilities for Windows Server 2003 and Windows Storage Server 2003; adds support for new Microsoft storage technologies, including Virtual Disk Service (VDS) and Automated System Recovery (ASR); ensures high availability through the new Dynamic Relayout feature; and delivers simplified management through the Storage Foundation Assistant.
The Mountain View, Calif.-based storage software firm also announced several licensable add-ons for Storage Foundation 4.0, including Dynamic Multipathing (DMP) and FlashSnap modules and an option for Microsoft Cluster Service (MSCS) support. FlashSnap is a software-based snapshot solution from VERITAS that leverages Microsoft’s Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS), a Windows Server 2003-based technology that enables Microsoft-supported snapshots of Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 and Microsoft SQL Server 2000 for quick-recovery and high-performance backups and restores.
“VERITAS is building on its technology partnership with Microsoft to enable our joint customers to fully leverage the new storage technologies in Windows Server 2003 and Windows Storage Server 2003,” says Bob Maness, senior director of product marketing, VERITAS Software. “With VERITAS Storage Foundation for Windows, VERITAS provides the core foundation for building storage solutions to meet the critical availability requirements necessary for customers to deploy a utility computing environment using Windows technology.”
VERITAS Storage Foundation 4.0 for Windows has completed Microsoft’s certification for Windows Server 2003 and has received Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Certification. The software is currently available with pricing starting at $695 for the Server/Standard Edition.
- VERITAS Shifts into Next Utility Computing Gear
- VERITAS Throws Hat into On-Demand Ring
- VERITAS Crafts SRM Software for Windows
Xyratex’s New SATA RAID Solution Extends Enterprise Lineup
The Xyratex 4200 Fibre Channel to Serial ATA (SATA) RAID subsystem is the latest addition to Xyratex’s family of enterprise-class Fibre Channel, SATA, and
SCSI storage offerings. The 3U dual-integrated controller combines Fibre Channel connectivity and cost-effective SATA drive technology, resulting in a multi-tiered storage offering that delivers lower cost storage without sacrificing the high availability offered by Fibre Channel-based storage systems.
Standard features in the Xyratex 4200 include RAID 0, 0+1, 3, 5, 10, 30, and 50 support; single or dual active/active RAID controllers; fully redundant, hot swappable components; and in-band and out-of-band customizable management support.
“The demand for storage is growing every day. SATA is the first technology to offer a disk-based solution for archived or non-mission critical information
storage at a reasonable price, and offers end-users a new standard for dollars-per-MB and ROI,” says Tim Piper, Director of Product Marketing at Xyratex “This, coupled with a Fibre Channel-based front-end, allows for easy integration into the customer’s already existing fabric solution.”
Offering up to 4.8TB of RAID protected data in a single enclosure, the Xyratex 4200 is targeted at firms with large data storage demands, such as High Performance Computing (HPC) and other data-intensive markets. Additional information is available at http://www.xyratex.com/products/storage/4200.htm.
Sony Seeks to Reel In SMBs with DAT 72 Format
Sony Media this week started shipping data cartridges based on the new DAT 72 format, a media format the company says is ideal for serving the backup needs of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). The new 4mm DAT 72 cartridges deliver 36 GB of native capacity (up to 72 GB compressed) and an 11GB per hour native data transfer rate. The DAT 72 addition brings the number of available storage media formats from Sony to more than 20.
Sony co-developed the DDS standard – the basis for DAT 72 technology – with Hewlett-Packard in 1987, and remains a leading supplier of DDS-1 through DDS-4 data media. The new DAT 72 media allows current DDS owners “to protect their investments while increasing their capacity point,” according to the company.
“This introduction offers a secure growth path to current DDS users who may not be ready to migrate to a midrange format,” says Tom Evans, senior vice president of Sony Electronics’ Media and Applications Solutions Division. “With Sony DAT 72 media, we’re underscoring our promise to offer the end-user the broadest range and highest quality of data media possible.”
Sony DAT 72 media cartridges will be available for purchase this month through wholesale distributors, resellers, VARs, and direct marketers nationwide, with a suggested retail price of $34.95.
- Sony Bundles Backup and Disaster Recovery Solutions
- Sony PetaSite SAIT-based Libraries a ‘Strong Offering’
EMCORE Delivers SmartLink 10 Gbps Fibre Interconnect
EMCORE Corp. has created a converter solution that uses fiber optics to extend to up to 300 meters the current copper socket throughout the data center or central office. The 10 gigabit per second (Gbps) SmartLink media converter is specifically designed for rack-to-rack applications of one to 300 meters and uses the same electrical socket employed by copper cables, such as MicroGigaCN for InfiniBand.
SmartLink enables data center operators to convert a copper socket into an extended optical link anytime in the field, making it possible to carry an
aggregate of 10 Gbps by adding four lanes of 3.125 Gbps, for bi-directional communication over one 12-fiber ribbon cable. The converter requires a single 3.3 Volt power supply and consumes less than 1 Watt of total power.
“Although most interconnects used in today’s data center are inexpensive CAT5 cable, this solution quickly becomes unusable for data rates above 1 Gbps,” says Al Yuen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for EMCORE Fiber optics. “When addressing this problem in the past, data center operators have had to rely on bulky, costly InfiniBand copper cable and 10GBase-CX4 copper cable.”
“Today, however, EMCORE is able to offer a plug-and-play optical replacement that provides better performance, lighter weight, and extended reach, without cross talk. In addition, our new SmartLink technology hits a price point for 10 Gbps fiber optics that no other competing technology, such as Serial 850 nanometer XPAK or XENPAK, has been able to match,” concludes Yuen.
EMCORE’s SmartLink is available immediately in both connector and cable versions.
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