Features - Enterprise Data Insights:

NetWorld+Interop 2003 TO BRING NET STORAGE TO REAL WORLD

NetWorld+Interop Las Vegas 2003 announced recently that it will focus on network storage by highlighting real-world networking solutions in an interactive, educational environment. Taking place April 27-May 2, 2003 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, this year's conference will bring together networking leaders and emerging storage innovators to focus closely on Storage Area Networks (SANs), Network Attached Storage (NAS), iSCSI, and other storage technologies.

"Storage has emerged as a strategic element of every business's performance strategy, and as a result, storage technologies and how they interoperate with the network have become more complex," said Mike Millikin, senior vice president of Interop Worldwide and Key3Media. "NetWorld+Interop offers a forum for the community of storage professionals to come together, learn about the newest trends and technologies and test drive those technologies in a real-world, cooperative setting."

Since the birth of the Internet and modern networking, NetWorld+Interop has served as the definitive forum for information technology professionals focused on driving interoperability in the enterprise. In keeping with NetWorld+Interop legacy, this year's forum will highlight the following storage programs:

Storage Education Programs

Focused educational sessions, discussion panels and how-to workshops, will be offered on storage technologies. These programs are taught by industry experts such as Jon William Toigo, storage guru and author of over 1000 articles and thirteen books including: "The Holy Grail of Data Storage Management," "Disaster Recovery Planning, 3rd Edition: Preparing for the Unthinkable," and "The Essential Guide to ASPs" (Prentice Hall: September 2001).

Says Toigo, CEO and Managing Partner of the global storage consultancy, Toigo Partners International, "2003 promises to be an important year for networked storage as technologies move out of the laboratory and begin to be applied to solve real world problems in the corporate enterprise. The Network Storage Strategies Track brings together industry experts and practitioners with practical guidance on what works and what doesn't. Panel discussions will cut through the hype and provide an opportunity for consumers to interact directly with vendors. That makes it an important event for anyone involved in networks, storage or applications performance."

Education Highlights

• Interop Conference, Network Storage Strategies Track: This full-day program will provide actionable insight on networked storage technologies from product selection to deployment, management and security, as well as first-person accounts of the risks and rewards of particular networked storage strategies and best practices for leveraging the technology for business success.
• In-depth workshops and tutorials focused on Storage including Storage Networking: Design, Performance & Troubleshooting
• On Wednesday, April 30, 2003, Joseph M. Tucci, president and CEO and Mark S. Lewis, EVP of New Ventures and CTO of EMC will present the keynote noon address. EMC Corporation is a world leader in information storage systems, software, networks and services.

"Three years ago, information technology was synonymous with business opportunity. Last year, it was viewed as a cost to be contained. The cycle will turn again as companies step up investments in technology to improve productivity and sharpen their competitiveness," said Joseph M. Tucci, president and CEO of EMC. "Storage networking will play a huge role through its impact on server and storage consolidation and as the foundation for automation and continuous information availability."

The InteropNet Labs (iLabs) IP Storage Initiative

The iLabs, a multi-vendor, standards-based test and implementation lab for emerging networking technologies, serves as a catalyst for the networking Industry by validating interoperability of new technologies and educating vendors and network professionals on results around three initiatives. This year's IP Storage Initiative will explore the variety of uses for expanding the reach of normal network operations (backup, database applications, networking non-FC storage) using available IP Storage iSCSI solutions. The iLabs will demonstrate the true state of IP Storage solutions here now, by implementing robust and interoperable multivendor IP Storage solutions over an existing LAN/WAN infrastructure.

Interop Network Storage Zone

The Interop Network Storage Zone, located on the show floor, features exhibitors with network storage solutions that encompass the key areas of network storage today. By frequenting the Storage Zone, IT professionals can find the products and services that can deliver reliable network storage to their organizations. Exhibitors scheduled to be located in the Interop Network Storage Zone, include: Advanced Industrial, Data Security, ICP America, Sony Electronics, Xtore Extreme, and many more.

In addition to storage, NetWorld+Interop Las Vegas 2003 will focus on two other technology cornerstones, including wireless and security. The weeklong event takes place April 27-May 2, 2003 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. For up-to-date NetWorld+Interop 2003 information and to register for free access to the show floor and keynote sessions, please visit www.interop.com.

About Key3 Media Group

NetWorld+Interop is a Key3Media event. Key3Media Group Inc produces information technology tradeshows and conferences. Key3Media's products range from the IT industry's largest exhibitions such as COMDEX and NetWorld+Interop to highly focused events featuring renowned educational programs, custom seminars and specialized vendor marketing programs. For more information about Key3Media, visit www.key3media.com.