Storage:

Auspex Demonstrates Multi-SAN Connectivity at SNW

Auspex Systems Inc demonstrated the use of its new NSc3000 Network Storage Controller to serve files from disparate SAN storage pools at the Storage Networking World Show in Palm Desert. Now released for general availability, the NSc3000 enables end users to seamlessly access file-level information from Storage Area Networks from virtually any vendor, even in environments utilizing heterogeneous SAN subsystems.

"Many system administrators today need to manage SAN islands from multiple vendors, either because of a company merger or because they purchased a second less expensive system to lower costs," said Mike Worhach, president of Auspex Systems. "With the industry-first SAN-agnostic capabilities of our NSc3000 controller, administrators can provide file services for multiple SAN storage subsystems without tailoring file-level solutions for each SAN vendor. To end users, this results in what appears to be one storage pool, making it easy to access and share files for increased productivity."

The NSc3000 is a SAN-to-NAS gateway that enables enterprises with SAN equipment from virtually any vendor to access and share files via Network Attached Storage (NAS) protocols without investing in a traditional NAS appliance with attached disk subsystems.

This strategy increases ROI by lowering hardware costs, reducing the administrative overhead required to manage two separate storage architectures, and permitting excess disk capacity in the SAN pool to be used for file services. Disparate disks, tapes and other storage media can be used, giving administrators previously locked in to a single vendor unprecedented flexibility in acquiring new storage media.

In heterogeneous SAN environments, the NSc3000 offers the added advantage of enabling administrators to assign files to a particular SAN subsystem based on the kind of content and expected demand. Business-critical, frequently accessed information can be placed on more expensive and higher-performing media. Less important information can be housed on less expensive media.

Information can also be spread among multiple SANs through the controller's industry-exclusive ability to perform synchronous data replication between heterogeneous storage. This high availability option allows Auspex's Xtreme Virtual Partitions to be used to mirror and stripe between multiple RAID controllers.

The NSc3000's multi-SAN connectivity was demonstrated in the Auspex exhibit in Booth G-5 at Storage Networking World.

About Auspex Systems

Auspex introduced the world's first Network Attached Storage (NAS) server shortly after its founding in 1987, creating a new breed of storage appliance capable of delivering significant performance and administrative benefits over general-purpose file servers. Auspex's enterprise-class network servers are used by customers around the world because of their advanced feature set, including the industry's highest scalability and most secure UNIX and Windows data sharing. The company is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, with sales offices and channel partners throughout the U.S. and around the globe. For more information, call 800-4AUSPEX (800-428-7739), 408-566-2000, or visit www.auspex.com.