HP has launched several enterprise storage solutions that bring the provision of storage as a utility one step closer.
The new solutions are designed to increase productivity for large and medium-sized customers. Customers are able to easily access, deploy and manage their storage as business needs change. This is the first major launch since the merger closed in June, highlighting the determination of the new HP to lead storage market innovations.
Kim Howlett, storage manager at HP SA, said HP is providing a new value and business model for customers. "Our open, modular solutions simplify network management and increase scalability. This, in turn, helps maximise productivity and profits for our customers."
The new solutions comprise three main categories:
* Mid-range and enterprise storage area network (SAN) solutions;
* Entry-level network-attached storage (NAS) solutions; and
* Data protection solutions.
Mid-range and enterprise SAN solutions
Howlett commented: "With the launch of additional functionality to the StorageWorks Enterprise Virtual Array (EVA) and the StorageWorks va7410, HP continues to transform the SAN storage market. HP is demonstrating its commitment to modular storage technology with scalable and common architectures."
The latest hp StorageWorks Enterprise Virtual Array (EVA) v.2 provides increased storage capacity, expanded operating system support, clustering features and simplified management capabilities. The new solution also delivers greater scalability and support for the new 2Gb switches, new 2Gb HBAs (Host Bus Adapters) and 36Gb 15K Fibre Channel (FC) Hard Disk Drives.
The hp StorageWorks va7410 is the next generation of the virtual disk array. This version of the modular array simplifies management, offering greater scalability at twice the performance and twice the connectivity of previous models. It also delivers expanded operating system support.
Entry-level NAS solutions
With hp StorageWorks NAS b2000, HP delivers a scalable, affordable, SCSI-based NAS solution for workgroups, enterprise departments and remote office environments. The b2000 is a turnkey solution that addresses three major areas for customers:
1. Storage consolidation: StorageWorks NAS b2000 provides more flexibility and simpler management.
2. Multi-protocol file serving: The new solution offers concurrent multi-protocol support for Windows (CIFS), different Unix derivates (NFS), Novell (NCP) and AppleTalk.
3. Storage virtualisation: This enables customers to grow the size of their file share volumes without having to interrupt users` access to data and information.
Data protection solutions
HP also has launched several new tape drive data protection solutions:
The new hp StorageWorks SDLT 160/320 GB Tape Drive offers customers a 45% increase in capacity and performance as compared to current Super Digital Linear Tape (DLT)-based data protection solutions.
HP StorageWorks DLT VS 40/80 Tape Drive is the storage industry`s first half-height DLT tape drive. Using only half the space of traditional DLT tape drives, the DLT VS 40/80 provides a 100 percent increase in performance and capacity at the same price point as the current DLT 20/40GB drive.
The hp StorageWorks LTO Ultrium 100/200GB tape drive offers excellent capacity, superior performance and exceptional reliability. The new 200GB tape drive solution can store more than 100GB native capacity on a single tape with a backup rate of 54GB/hour. This makes it an ideal solution for network backup where speed and reliability are critical.
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HP is a leading global provider of technology products, solutions and services to consumers and businesses. The company`s offerings span IT infrastructure, personal computing and access devices, global services and imaging and printing. The merged company had combined revenue of approximately $81.7 billion in fiscal 2001 and operations in more than 160 countries. Information about HP and its products can be found at http://www.hp.com.
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