Data Storage Systems offer intelligent power management.

Press Release Summary:



Available on all S2A(TM) data infrastructure platforms, D-MAID(TM) variable disk power down solution enables customers to dynamically spin down LUNs and enter power savings mode on user-specified parameters. D-MAID can have all disks actively serving data, in power saving sleep mode, or any combination in between. Optimized for large and complex backup, virtual tape library, and archive applications, D-MAID supports user-configured disk idling periods and automatically manages disk arrays.



Original Press Release:



DataDirect Networks' D-MAID Rapidly Improves Volumetric Efficiency in IT Environments Pressed for Space, Energy Savings



The Industry's First Large-Scale Variable Disk Power Down Solution Goes Beyond Static MAID by Offering Extreme Granularity to Customers

The Highest Density Storage Offering Combined with Intelligent Power Management Software Delivers Savings of Over 60 Percent on Energy Consumption

CHATSWORTH, Calif., Aug. 25 /- In response to the mounting challenges faced by IT organizations across the globe grappling with rising capacity requirements, a shortage of data center floor space and soaring energy costs, DataDirect Networks, Inc. the data infrastructure provider for the most extreme, content-intensive environments in the world -- including more than 400 broadcast and post production facilities, the largest online gaming and music sites, and photo and video sharing services -- today announced the industry's most scalable, user-centric variable disk power down solution, D-MAID(TM) (Dynamic Massive Array of Idle Disks), now available on all of the company's S2A(TM) data infrastructure platforms.

"Conventional MAID implementations limit customers' energy cost savings and management flexibility by spinning-down and spinning-up just a pre-set portion of disks within each system," said John Webster, Principal IT Advisor and Senior Analyst, Illuminata. "With the introduction of D-MAID, DataDirect Networks is putting highly granular levels of energy management in the hands of customers who need scalability into the petabyte range."

D-MAID is the largest scale technology in the industry today that enables customers to dynamically spin down LUNs and enter a power savings mode based on user-specified parameters, greatly reducing power consumption. Contrast to static "on/off" MAID implementations, D-MAID can have all disks actively serving data; or in a power saving sleep mode; or any combination in between -- enabling transparent access to all data sets in a storage platform. Optimized for large and complex backup, virtual tape library and archive applications, D-MAID supports user-configured disk idling periods and automatically manages disk arrays for optimum power efficiency.

This power management capability combined with the unparalleled density of DataDirect Networks S2A data infrastructure platforms -- which offer 74TB of capacity per square foot, up to 5 times more data storage density than other offerings -- equates to extreme levels of scalable capacity in the smallest footprint in the industry, reducing system instances in the data center and providing superior amortization of IT capital investments.

"In terms of scalable capacity, DataDirect Networks can package 1.2 petabytes into two floor tiles -- accomplishing with two racks, what takes competitors up to six or more," said Tom Trainer, President, Analytico, Inc. "The addition of its intelligent power management solution, D-MAID, to its S2A data infrastructure platforms makes for a very compelling value proposition for end-users."

Dave Fellinger, Chief Technology Officer of DataDirect Networks, added: "In a recent analysis of customer IT environments, we found S2A systems helped customers save up to 66 percent of their energy use, depending on their configuration and utility rates. For example, an S2A9700 or S2A9900 user in a metropolitan area with 1.2 PB of capacity and an 80 percent data dormancy rate, is forecast to go from using 21.7 kW to 10.3 kW, saving nearly $40,000 per year. These are tangible savings that customers can benefit from today."

According to David Vellante, Co-Founder and Principal Contributor of Wikibon, the world's first Web 2.0 technology research and advisory community, "Because spinning disk drives typically account for 80 percent of a storage array's power consumption, a technology such as D-MAID can be highly effective at greening storage, which can account for as much as 30 percent of energy consumed in the data center. Wikibon is pleased to be working with DataDirect Networks to facilitate customer applications for incentive rebates offered by utilities such as Pacific Gas & Electric Company for utilizing technologies that conserve energy."

Solutions featuring D-MAID technology are available now and currently shipping from DataDirect Networks and its global OEM and reseller partners.

About DataDirect Networks

DataDirect Networks, Inc. is the data infrastructure provider for the most extreme, content-intensive environments in the world -- including the largest online gaming and music sites, social networking applications developers, photo and video sharing services, high performance computing environments, and more than 400 broadcast and post-production facilities around the globe. With more than 160 petabytes installed worldwide, the company's S2A(TM) (Silicon Storage Architecture(TM)) technology delivers massive throughput, scalable capacity, consistency, efficiency and data integrity for today's extremely competitive and evolving markets. Founded in 1998, DataDirect Networks serves customers through its global partnerships with Dell, IBM, Sony and other industry leaders; and through its offices in Europe, India, Asia Pacific, Japan and throughout the U.S. For more information, go to www.datadirectnet.com/ or call +1-800-TERABYTE (837-2298).

DataDirect Networks, S2A, D-MAID and Silicon Storage Architecture are trademarks of DataDirect Networks, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Kim Nelson of DataDirect Networks, Inc., +1-818-336-2162, knelson@datadirectnet.com

Web site: www.datadirectnet.com/

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