NetApps deals reach out to channel
Resellers back supplier's deals with Cisco and Veritas
The channel has backed a move by storage systems supplier Network Appliance (NetApps) to develop and market new storage offerings with Cisco and Veritas.
Under the Cisco deal, NetApps will package its storage systems to sell with Cisco's MDS 9000 directors and switches.
Stuart Gilks, NetApps systems engineering director, told CRN: "Cisco has an equivalent unified storage strategy, with Fibre Channel and iSCSI in the same chassis."
He added that interoperability testing for its kit has been completed with Cisco MDS 9500 series directors and MDS 9216 modular fabric switch.
Testing with the MDS 9100 series fabric switches should be completed in January. NetApps will sell the product set through both its direct and indirect channels.
Gilks said there is an ongoing accreditation programme with selected channel partners.
Sam Duncan, sales manager at NetApps distributor InTechnology, said the two vendors' products were complementary.
"The alliance is natural. NetAppss is the only platform that supplies an iSCSI appliance, and Cisco is the largest network provider. It's a great move because both play on customers' needs," he said.
The Veritas deal is the second instalment of a recent alliance. "We have better integration with Veritas software for data retention, data lifecycle management and backup. We're upping the level of our relationship in engineering, sales and marketing," Gilks said.
Under both alliances, partners will take part in initiatives that include technology collaboration, sales and marketing activities, and collaborative support for customers in optimising hardware and software, Gilks added.
NetAppss made further announcements last week, urging channel partners to build better solutions with a wider customer base.
These included Raid double-disk parity technology, additions to its FAS series, and new versions of NearStore R200 storage and SnapVault software.