LSI Logic Introduces MetaStor E4400 Storage System

LSI Logic Storage Systems Inc, a leading supplier of scalable storage for the enterprise, introduced the MetaStor E4400 storage system, designed for high-performance computing environments such as video editing/post production, e-commerce, CAD/CAE and data warehousing. A full Fibre Channel storage system designed to handle the ever-growing storage needs of today's enterprise applications, the MetaStor E4400 system offers dynamic scalability, high availability, and optimal performance for both transaction- and throughputoriented workloads. In addition, the centralized storage management software of the MetaStor E4400 product further supports enterprise storage consolidation in storage area networks (SANs).

"To combat the inflexibility faced by users of monolithic storage architectures of the past, we've developed an arsenal of features in the MetaStor E4400 storage system," said Mitch Seigle, director of marketing, LSI Logic Storage Systems. "Continuing the tradition established by the legendary performance of the MetaStor S-Class product line, the E4400 storage system offers customers even higher levels of data protection and performance, and the ability to grow their storage system dynamically as their enterprise storage requirements grow."

The new MetaStor E4400 system maximizes customer purchasing power by offering best prices today while taking advantage of decreasing technology costs and drive costs in the future. With flexibility to scale capacity, performance and host connections independently, customers are able to procure storage on an as-needed basis.

Today's announcement highlights new features of the MetaStor E4400 system:

• HotScale technology enables online expansion for highest availability LSI Logic's innovative HotScale technology assures that Fibre Channel loops remain intact, even during reconfiguration, enabling customers to scale capacity and connectivity dynamically. With HotScale technology, additional drives, drive modules and servers can be added on-the-fly with no system downtime, improving data availability and flexibility.
• Connectivity offers SAN-ready configuration and scalability up to 16 terabytes Eight Fibre Channel host connections can be configured as four redundant-path host attachments for a SAN-ready system without the need for a separate switch or hub. In addition, to meet the most demanding capacity requirements, the MetaStor E4400 system can support up to 220 drives per command module, allowing for 16 terabytes of storage capacity.
• High performance exceeds demands of dynamic, intensive workloads Optimized for both high throughput and transaction-intensive workloads, the E4400 storage system delivers 350 MB/second sequential read performance and 60,000 cached I/Os per second. Most storage systems feature either high throughput or high transaction rates, but the feature rich MetaStor E4400 system is optimized for both. Because of its high performance, the system can dynamically handle workload changes created by multiple applications and varying workloads operating simultaneously. This makes the MetaStor E4400 system ideal for storage consolidation and the unpredictable traffic encountered by Internet and application service providers.
• SANtricity Storage Manager software offers easy, safe storage management SANtricity software provides secure, centralized management of storage resources via an easy-to-use, Java-based graphical user interface. Key to the software is the SANshare storage partitioning feature which enables a single storage array to be partitioned into as many as eight virtual storage systems, each supporting multiple hosts and each capable of functioning as a boot device. SANtricity Storage Manager software also assures data security by protecting the storage array from unintentional or unauthorized data access and control by a newly introduced or rogue server.

"Because of the 7x24 environment created by dot coms and other storage intensive applications, storage can never sleep," said Robert Gray, research director of storage subsystems, IDC. "LSI Logic Storage Systems' new MetaStor E4400 storage system is targeted to this current market challenge for higher performance, scalability and availability in SAN storage." LSI Logic Storage Systems is marketing the MetaStor E4400 storage system exclusively through a worldwide network of VARs, system integrators and distributors. The MetaStor E4400 system, targeted at the high-end enterprise, is priced in the $120,000 - $525,000 range (U.S. list), depending on configuration. The MetaStor E4400 system is available immediately.

About LSI Logic Storage Systems

LSI Logic Storage Systems Inc, a subsidiary of LSI Logic Corporation, is a leader in delivering high performance, highly scalable, open storage solutions for the enterprise. Available through leading OEM suppliers, and through a worldwide network of resellers under the MetaStor brand name, LSI Logic offers a complete line of robust Fibre Channel, SCSI and network-attached storage products integrated with centralized storage management software. In addition, the MetaStor Open SAN Initiative offers certified, interoperability-tested storage area network (SAN) solutions. For MetaStor product information, please call 1-888-METASTOR or visit www.metastor.com. The e-mail address for product information is info@metastor.com.

About LSI Logic

LSI Logic Corporation is a leading supplier of communication chips for broadband, data networking, wireless and set-top box applications. In addition, the company provides chips and boards for network computing and supplies storage network solutions for the enterprise. LSI Logic is headquartered at 1551 McCarthy Boulevard, Milpitas, CA 95035 408-433-8000, www.lsilogic.com.

Contact Joanna Tschiffely of LSI Logic Storage Systems Inc, 970-206-5882 joanna.tschiffely@lsil.com.