Features - Storage Innovations:

ADAPTEC, NetApp BRING ENTERPRISE SAN TO SMALL BUSINESSES

Adaptec Inc, a global leader in storage solutions, and Network Appliance Inc, a leading provider of enterprise network storage solutions, announced the availability of an IP storage area network (SAN) solution that enables small and midsize businesses to deploy cost-effective, easy-to-manage SANs for enterprise-level applications such as online transaction processing, e-mail and enterprise resource planning.

Small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) with growing storage demands require cost-effective solutions that allow them to easily deploy workgroup and departmental SANs for applications typically associated with large organizations. The Adaptec-NetApp IP SAN solution leverages the proven performance of SCSI and the low cost of Ethernet to give these businesses a simple, affordable way to deploy SANs for enterprise-level applications. The solution features central technical support to reduce total cost of SAN ownership.

"Adaptec and Network Appliance are reducing the cost and complexity of deploying SANs for business and storage applications including email, database, CRM and ERP, consolidation and disaster recovery," said Ram Jayam, vice president and general manager of Adaptec's Storage Networking Group. "Together, we are combining the scalability, availability and utilization benefits of iSCSI-based SANs with integrated world-class support to bring enterprise-class network storage capabilities to a broader range of customers."

"NetApp is building on its leadership in shared storage solutions for small and midsize organizations by delivering block-based IP SAN capabilities that power enterprise-level storage capabilities," said Rich Clifton, vice president of the SAN/iSAN business unit at Network Appliance. "By teaming with Adaptec and Arrow Electronics, we are making it easier and more affordable for customers to deploy networked storage for enterprise applications."

Adaptec, NetApp Target SME Customers Through Arrow Electronics

Arrow Electronics, one of the world's largest distributors of electronic components and computer products and a leading provider of services to the electronics industry, simplifies SAN deployments for small and midsize businesses by providing storage consulting, design, configuration, interoperability testing and performance benchmarking services. Arrow offers the Adaptec-NetApp solution with its storage services to simplify SAN deployments.

"Arrow Electronics has deep relationships with enterprise resellers and integrators who focus on delivering SAN solutions to small and midsize businesses and will give Network Appliance and Adaptec a direct channel to this market," said Mike Arends, vice president of sales for Arrow Enterprise Storage Solutions. "The Adaptec-Network Appliance IP SAN solution has passed extensive hardware testing and qualification, allowing resellers to offer an interoperable solution that simplifies deployment for end users."

The Adaptec-NetApp solution consists of two Adaptec 7211 iSCSI adapters and a NetApp FAS250 system with 250 gigabytes of storage capacity. The Adaptec 7211 completely offloads TCP/IP processing to reduce CPU utilization and increase the performance of network storage applications. The NetApp FAS250 is an entry-level storage system that provides high levels of reliability, availability and performance and scales up to 1 terabyte to meet the growing capacity needs of small and midsize businesses.