Hitachi Data Systems today announced Hitachi Freedom NAS(TM), the latest addition to its Freedom Data Networks portfolio of network solutions. The new solution, Hitachi claims, allows customers to include both Network Attached Storage (NAS) and Storage Area Network (SAN) storage requirements in a single pool of centrally managed storage.
In configuring the Hitachi Freedom NAS, either the Hitachi Freedom Storage Lightning 9900(TM) Series or the Thunder 9200(TM) systems is attached to a NAS server supplied by Network Storage Solutions. According to the company, this solution allows customers the option of allocating part of the capacity in a single storage unit — up to 37 terabytes in the Lightning 9900 and up to 7.2 TB in the Thunder 9200 — for use by NAS for filer applications, while other parts of the same storage array can be used by SAN.
“As customers cope with exponentially growing data, they are looking to reduce the complexity and cost of their IT infrastructures at the same time that they attempt to unite islands of information. Freedom NAS offers a powerful solution through the convergence of NAS and SAN in a single system,” said Ron Gervenack, executive vice president and general manager, Enterprise Products and Solutions, Hitachi Data Systems. “Customers will value this solution as a key element of a cost-effective, but robust and extremely flexible information infrastructure.”
The Freedom NAS product is slated to be available in 1U, 2U, and 6U rack-mount enclosures which fit in the standard 19″ racks, for immediate delivery. Pricing in the United States starts at $22,500 for the NAS Engine, $31,000 for the uSTORII and $93,000 for the GT.
In related news, Network Storage Solutions (NSS), a provider of network attached storage (NAS) systems, today announced a strategic worldwide distribution agreement with Hitachi Data Systems. Under the agreement, Hitachi Data Systems, a leading provider of storage networked solutions, will sell NSS’ NASengine, uStor-II, and SPANStor-GT NAS appliances into the enterprise market.
Hitachi Freedom NAS(TM) combines NSS products with Hitachi Data Systems’ Freedom Storage(TM) Lightning 9900(TM) or Thunder 9200(TM).
“Our agreement with Hitachi Data Systems represents a significant volume agreement with a company with a global presence, greatly enhancing our credibility and market reach while also offering expanded storage solutions to Hitachi Data Systems customers,” said Brad Clemmons, president and CEO for Network Storage Solutions. “We are proud to be partnering with a reputable, leading storage vendor such as Hitachi Data Systems. Coming on the heels of winning Network Computing’s Well-Connected Award as the year’s best NAS technology, today’s announcement is further validation that NSS is producing the best performing, highly scalable, easiest to use, and most affordable storage solutions.”
