Storage Area Networks address 10 GbE requirements.
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Press Release Summary:
Featuring enterprise-class x86 servers powered by LeftHand SAN/iQ platform, 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) SANs can address storage requirements such as disaster-recovery support for critical data while augmenting capacity to alleviate congestion and I/O bottlenecks. Each 10GbE-Ready Open iSCSI SAN can leverage hardware platforms such as HP ProLiant DL320s Server and IBM System x3650 servers, providing access to enterprise-level storage optimization and performance.
Original Press Release:
LeftHand Networks Accelerates 10 Gigabit Ethernet-Ready SANs
Leading Technology Companies Endorse 10GbE-Ready SANs and Applaud Storage Milestone
BOULDER, Colo., April 10 -- LeftHand Networks(R), the company that pioneered IP SANs, today unveils 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) SANs with support from industry leading switch, NIC and driver companies. This announcement validates iSCSI as an enterprise solution by delivering high performing SANs that can address demanding storage requirements such as disaster-recovery support for critical data while augmenting capacity to alleviate congestion and I/O bottlenecks. LeftHand is helping to lead a convergence among key suppliers of 10GbE equipment, services, and technology to deliver solutions that are easy to implement and affordable.
Support for 10GbE is part of a series of announcements that demonstrate LeftHand Networks' commitment to shifting the economic structure of the SAN marketplace through the availability of multiple SAN configurations to meet customer requirements and a growing list of supported hardware platforms.
"iSCSI solutions using conventional 1-gigabit-per-second Ethernet networking technology are proven and capable of supporting the performance, reliability and availability needs for today's critical applications for mid-tier enterprises. However, the push for the benefits inherent to 10 gigabit technology is upon us," said Dr. Claude Lorenson, group product manager, storage technologies at Microsoft Corporation. "LeftHand's clustered open iSCSI SAN approach and support for 10GbE enables the company to move to the forefront of iSCSI adoption in the enterprise particularly where storage decisions must align with data center infrastructure needs and high transactional environments."
Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG) has found that adopters of iSCSI solutions are very satisfied with the performance offered however, 26 percent of iSCSI planned adopters say they wouldn't purchase an iSCSI storage system without support for 10GbE. "This is a major milestone in the evolution of iSCSI," said Tony Asaro, senior analyst for Enterprise Strategy Group. "We've found that iSCSI performs as well as FC in head-to-head testing when comparing one gigabit Ethernet and two gigabit Fibre Channel. However, no matter how loud the industry beats the drum that iSCSI performs just as well as Fibre Channel, people are still confused. 10 gigabit Ethernet support for iSCSI takes any performance concerns off the table."
10GbE-Ready Open iSCSI SANs
Leading the open iSCSI SAN market, LeftHand Networks is the only vendor to break free from the proprietary approach to storage and offer customers the choice and flexibility to purchase enterprise-class x86 servers powered by LeftHand's SAN/iQ platform.
Leveraging industry leading hardware platforms including HP ProLiant DL320s Server [also announced today] and IBM System x3650 servers, LeftHand provides customers with access to enterprise level features, storage optimization, and high-end performance with support for both SAS and SATA hard drives.
The 10GbE-ready solutions are ideally suited for high I/O, bandwidth bound applications and increase overall throughput performance helping to alleviate network congestion and I/O bottlenecks. 10GbE SAN connectivity supports the smooth and predictable scaling of network bandwidth along with the storage growth. LeftHand will demonstrate 10GbE capabilities at the Storage Networking World Conference held April 16-19, 2007 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego. Attendees are encouraged to visit booth C17.
Industry Support
LeftHand is working with a number of industry leaders to make 10GbE solutions a reality for mid-tier and enterprise customers. These industry leaders have expressed support for LeftHand's move towards 10GbE-ready SAN solutions.
ProCurve Networking by HP -- Paul Congdon, chief technology officer -- "Together with the HP ProLiant DL320s Server and LeftHand Networks' SAN/iQ software, ProCurve switches provide mature, stable and practical 10GbE solutions for the enterprise. At ProCurve, we believe this combination can lead the way for continued enterprise adoption of 10GbE as a critical factor in the evolution of network technology."
Force10 Networks -- Steve Garrison, vice president of marketing -- "The Force10 E-Series has been hardened in high performance data center environments, and LeftHand's iSCSI SAN solution is an ideal way to incorporate a high performance, open storage framework into the data center. It is an organic progression for Force10 to align with LeftHand to bring reliable, 10 Gigabit Ethernet networking and storage solutions to the data center."
Fujitsu Computer Products of America -- Vic Herring, senior director, New Products Group -- "Today, we are seeing increased demand from IT professionals in high performance computing as well as enterprise and storage markets for 10GbE switches as a high performance technology to interconnect servers. As the marketplace for Ethernet-based storage networks continues to rise, Fujitsu will continue to align with companies like LeftHand Networks that are focused on next generation technology that helps to address the demands for high performance and cost-efficient storage.
10GbE Adapter Partners:
Neterion -- Philippe Levy, vice president of marketing -- "Neterion is pleased to work with LeftHand to deliver a comprehensive, best-in-class iSCSI over 10 Gigabit Ethernet solution. It will allow small and midsize companies to leverage their existing IP network infrastructure and expertise, to roll out high-performance and high-reliability IP SANs at a fraction of the cost of Fibre Channel, and without the need for highly-specialized FC experts. Neterion's Xframe II(R) V-NIC(TM) adapter allows full-line rate 10 Gbps speed on IBM System x standard-based servers, offers unique hardware-based I/O virtualization support for VMware, High-Availability and Telco-class reliability features, with low-power and low-heat dissipation suitable for mission-critical SAN applications."
V-NIC is a trademark of Neterion, Inc. Xframe and Neterion are registered trademarks of Neterion, Inc.
NetXen -- Sanjeev Jorapur, vice president of technology -- "In servers, the transition to 10GbE is being driven by the rise of converged IP-based fabrics that combine networking, clustering and storage on a single pipe. With an iSCSI leader like LeftHand Networks delivering 10GbE-ready platforms in combination with our Intelligent NICs, we are now beginning to realize the promise of high performance IP-based storage solutions."
emBoot -- George Kostiuk, CEO -- "The deployment of our winBoot/i(tm) and netBoot/i(tm) iSCSI Boot solutions across the enterprise and in large datacenter environments delivers a centrally managed Boot From SAN solution using standard Ethernet adapters. This can significantly reduce implementation and operational costs, lower power and cooling requirements, and improve system availability. LeftHand's support for 10GbE-based storage solutions ensures that they can deliver the foundation that customers need to widely deploy iSCSI boot, and that it can scale to meet their growing iSCSI storage requirements."
Gresham Enterprise Storage -- Keith Summers, managing director -- "Gresham Clareti(R) VTL brings data protection with vision to the enterprise, combining the benefits of advanced virtual tape backup with integrated data protection management. By aligning with LeftHand in their innovative move to 10GbitE support, we offer customers new opportunities to consolidate, leverage and manage storage while minimizing operational costs. We believe the move to embrace and execute 10GbitE is truly a revolutionary next step in the future of storage."
Pricing and Availability
10GbE-ready SANs powered by LeftHand's SAN/iQ include the HP ProLiant DL320s and IBM x3650. The 10GbE capability will be generally available by the end of 2007. Please contact LeftHand Networks for early access availability to the 10GbE functionality.
SAN/iQ software is currently available through authorized LeftHand Networks Advantage partners as well as IBM and HP channel partners. For further information, please contact LeftHand Networks at 1.866.4.IPSANS (866.447.7267).
About LeftHand Networks
LeftHand Networks pioneered IP-based storage area networks (SAN) in 2001. SANs built using LeftHand's SAN/iQ(R) software are uniquely able to distribute and protect data across a cluster of industry-standard storage servers. The company's patented architecture increases data availability, allows users to start small and grow the SAN seamlessly, and simplifies management. The LeftHand SAN is ideal for server consolidation and virtualization projects, Microsoft Application environments, and disaster recovery solutions. For more information, contact LeftHand at info@lefthandnetworks.com.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
CONTACT: Melissa Hourigan of LeGrand Hart, +1-303-298-8470, mhourigan@legrandhart.com, for LeftHand Networks; or Tracey Floming of LeftHand Networks, tracey.floming@lefthandnetworks.com
