Storage areas networks--the most powerful technology available for block-level storage--have been part of the enterprise landscape for years. But new products aimed at small and midsize businesses have come off the drawing boards at such companies as Dell and HP, putting the technology within reach of companies with smaller pocketbooks. But before recommending a SAN solution for a client, keep in mind the company's budget, applications, workload, and projected growth. Here's a roundup of several SAN solutions worth investigating. |
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EqualLogic PS5000E iSCSI SAN
This array supports up to 16 SATA or SAS drives per chassis and is available with single or dual controllers. It scales to 192 TB per PS Series group and supports up to 512 servers. The PS5000E also comes with a soup-to-nuts collection of features such as snapshots, replication, and thin provisioning that are often extra-cost options on competing products. <more info> |
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Dell PowerVault MD3000i iSCSI SAN
The MD 3000i is an entry-level iSCSI SAN that supports up to 16 servers and is available with single or dual controllers. Up to 15 SATA or SAS drives may be used per enclosure, up to a maximum of 15 TB, and up to two expansion enclosures may be added for a total capacity of 45 TB. Snapshots are an option. <more info> |
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HP StorageWorks All-in-One AiO1200 iSCSI SAN
HP's entry-level iSCSI SAN also features NAS file-serving capability. It supports 12 drives per enclosure and can be ordered in various SATA or SAS drive configurations, ranging up to 9 TB. Two expansion enclosures may be added to further extend capacity. <more info> |
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HP StorageWorks 2000i Modular Smart Array iSCSI SAN
Positioned as a good match for many midsize businesses, HP's StorageWorks 2000i Modular Smart Array (MSA) iSCSI SAN supports up to 16 servers and is available with single or dual controllers. It provides 12 drive bays for up to 9 TB of SATA or 3.6 TB of high-performance dual-ported SAS drives. Up to three additional drive enclosures allow expansion to 36 TB. Direct-attach (SAS) and Fibre Channel versions of the MSA series are also available. <more info> |
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LeftHand Networks Starter SAN
The LeftHand Networks Starter SAN is a package consisting of two iSCSI storage nodes, each equipped with 4.5 TB of storage; the company's SAN/iQ storage management software; and support. All features, including snapshots, replication, and thin provisioning, are included. The SAN is capable of scaling to 240 drives. (LeftHand Networks Inc. was acquired by HP, and its product portfolio has become part of HP's networked storage lineup.) <more info> |
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Hitachi Data Storage Simple Modular Storage 100 SAN
Hitachi Simple Modular Storage 100 SAN, a simple and reliable solution for SMBs, offers enterprise-class storage features with complete data protection solutions. Simple Modular Storage 100 SAN is ideal for businesses looking for storage systems that are easy to manage, easy to grow, and easy to integrate. Dual controller chassi available in 6, 8 or 12 drive models capable of up to 9TB of storage. <more info> |
