Storage vendor 3ware rolls out iSCSI array

IP storage start-up 3ware this week launched a new, compact version of its midrange, storage array for Ethernet networks that saves room in data centers and saves investments in separate storage-area networking.

The iSCSI-ready Palisade IP Storage array, which uses inexpensive Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) drives, is four times smaller than its predecessor. It connects to 10M/100M or 1G bit/sec Ethernet networks and uses the pending iSCSI protocol, which will be ratified into an IETF standard later this year, to transport data to users. The company also provides a software driver that runs on Intel, 3Com, Adaptec or Sysconnect Gigabit Ethernet adapters and is placed in a server to complete the iSCSI connection.

Formerly called the Network Storage Unit, the Paliside array also uses a low-power 250-watt architecture with its ATA drives, which powers them down when they are not in use. Two Palisade arrays can be mirrored using software from Veritas or Microsoft.

The Palisade 400 IP Storage array is a 4U (7-inch) rack-mountable or pedestal-mounted box that supports just a bunch of disks (JBOD) or RAID 0, 5 and 10 configurations. It can fit into existing Solaris, Windows NT/2000, Linux and Macintosh networks.

The Palisade 100 is a 640G byte 1U (1.75-inch) high array. Both models are available now, and pricing starts at $19,900.

3ware is at www.3ware.com

Contact Senior Editor Deni Connor

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