HP family targets SME market
Packages designed for the channel make system migration easier
Hewlett Packard has unveiled a family of low-cost storage products and server storage packages, aimed at SMEs.
The HP StorageWorks Modular Smart Array (MSA) family and ProLiant servers form part of HP's Smart Office initiative for SMEs, including packages specifically designed for the channel.
"The aim is to help customers move their systems to what they want more easily," said David Smith, HP UK enterprise storage product marketing manager. "The disks can be re-used if they move to networked storage later."
The MSA family comprises: MSA30 direct-attached storage (Das) enclosure for workgroups, which costs from £2,109; MSA500 Das for storage consolidation, with data protection aimed at remote sites and distributed clustered environments, which costs from £3,795; and MSA1000 entry-level San array to simplify Das to San migration, which costs from £6,442.
The packages consist of two HP ProLiant DL380 clustered servers and either: MSA500 enclosure, two host bus adaptors (HBAs), direct-attached SCSI storage starter kit and cables with limited on-line support, for remote and branch offices; or MSA1000 enclosure, two HBAs, eight-port fibre channel switch, entry-level San starter kit, and cables to support multiple clusters and up to 20 servers.
David Drennan, storage specialist at VAR Repton, told CRN: "HP's marketing strategy is to move everyone to Sans. This is a big step for SMEs that have built their infrastructure on Das, which has no upgrade path. But this gives them a little push. They can move without a forklift truck, and once in the San they can start scaling."
Smith said that, because the server storage packages have been certified there is reassurance they will hang together, which will ease installation for the channel. In addition, the Das enclosures could connect by FC to a San using the MSA1000.
"SMEs have limited resources to look after their infrastructure, so the [bundled] management suite is helpful," he said.