In brief: IBM, Cisco SAN Volume Controller now supports non-IBM storage arrays

Also: Symbol buys Matrics, a maker of RFID readers and tags

IBM and Cisco announced last week that the IBM SAN Volume Controller software running on Cisco MDS 9000 Multilayer director-level Fibre Channel switches now supports non-IBM storage arrays. The SAN Volume Controller, which provides virtualization capability, now supports Hitachi, HP and EMC Clariion arrays. IBM also announced that the SAN Volume Controller works with iSCSI networks. The SAN Volume Controller is expected to be available this month starting at $30,000.

Symbol Technologies has moved to beef up its radio frequency identification capabilities with an agreement to acquire Matrics, a maker of RFID readers and tags. Symbol will pay $230 million for the privately held company in a deal expected to close in the third quarter of this year. Matrics makes products for vertical markets such as retail, defense and transportation. Symbol says it plans to integrate Matrics products into its lineup of wireless and data capture products.