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DataCore Launches Software To Convert PCs Into Disk Servers

DataCore Software, known for its enterprise-class, open storage networking software, introduced SANmelody software, a product line that cost-effectively addresses the disk capacity expansion needs of smaller organizations. SANmelody holds great appeal for companies that typically purchase application -specific Windows and Linux servers when they run out of disk drive bays. The software is available immediately for download from DataCore's new online Web store for as little as $1,200.

Installing SANmelody on a PC converts it into a networked "disk server" whose added disk space can be shared by multiple application servers over a LAN. Providing shared capacity on a general purpose server eliminates the laborious and costly process of purchasing additional application servers simply to add more disk space.

"That's particularly important for shops with smaller database and mail servers. These servers frequently exhaust their internal disk capacity while they continue to have plenty of spare computing power," explained Mike Karp, senior analyst with the research firm Enterprise Management Associates. "We've found that when the first server runs out of disk space, soon others do, too. The usual workaround is to roll in application-specific machines that handle the overflow. Unfortunately, each new machine's drives are only available for itself and do little good when the next one hits its disk limit."

A SANmelody-equipped disk server, on the other hand, provides disk capacity over a LAN that can be shared by any number of application processors. For example, existing database and mail servers can simply grow "outside the box" by reaching out over the LAN to the disk server for more disk space.

"Applications see what appears to be a fresh new stack of internal drives, eliminating the need to purchase, configure, license and maintain another SQL Server, Exchange or Oracle machine," noted Augie Gonzalez, SANmelody program director for DataCore. "We first ran into this issue in the remote business units of our larger Global 2000 customers. Many were artificially limiting the number of users per server based on the number of disk drives that they could stuff in their chasses. Turns out the problem is commonplace in small to medium size companies as well."

Among its features, SANmelody can slice a disk server's physical drives into multiple, logical drives that are separately allocated to applications. For example, a disk server with eight 160GB drives could present numerous smaller logical drives (10, 20, 50 GB, etc.) to match the actual needs of several distinct processors. No space is wasted. These logical drives provide enhanced security and data availability in addition to increased capacity.

CIO Dwight Ricks, from the independent investment management firm Wasatch Advisors, voiced his satisfaction with the software. "We downloaded SANmelody from DataCore's Web site and had it up and running in minutes. We could serve up disks using an Ethernet connection quickly and easily. SANmelody makes it possible to serve up high-performance and highly available storage using your existing network infrastructure."

Many customers will deploy Powered by DataCore disk servers as inexpensive repositories on which to maintain mirror images of their application servers' internal drives. Should a customer have the misfortune of losing one of the main application engines and its internal disks, it can quickly recover critical data by simply reassigning the redundant images on the disk server to another machine on the LAN.

George Teixeira, CEO and president of DataCore, pointed out that, "SANmelody significantly broadens DataCore's served market. With entry-level pricing and Web site credit card purchase options, even the most frugal organization can quickly repurpose a PC into a general purpose disk server. Those who prefer to purchase turnkey systems or need additional capabilities and services tailored to their individual needs have the option of buying SANmelody from DataCore's authorized SANmelody disk server solution providers."