EMC rolls out Vspex reference architecture

partners with integrated stacks that bundle storage, networking, computing and software, Search Storage Channel reports.

There were 14 Vspex architectures at launch, all using EMC storage in validated best-of-breed configurations.

EMC's major technology partners are Cisco Systems and Intel for servers; Cisco and Brocade Communications Systems for networking; and VMware, Microsoft and Citrix Systems for virtual servers and desktops.

With Vspex, EMC jumps into a new battle with archrival storage vendor NetApp, whose FlexPod reference architecture has done well against VCE's Vblocks, CRN writes.

At the same time, the multi-vendor Vspex reference architecture, which includes both Cisco and non-Cisco equipment, also gives EMC the opportunity to counter-balance moves by its long-term partner, Cisco, which has benefited by working with NetApp in the FlexPod business.

In the Vspex world, customers select computing and networking hardware, software and services based on the distributor line card and sizing of components based on the requirements of the particular Vspex solution, eWeek states.

“You can look at this as similar to what Apple did in finding a middle ground between the Mac and the iPhone with the iPad,” says Jeremy Burton, EMC's executive VP and chief marketing officer, at a launch event, at the Terra Gallery, in San Francisco. “We're finding middle ground for data centres with this new system.”

Vspex reference architectures establish the minimum requirements around servers and networking necessary to support the business cases that are being solved.