Resellers hit a high with Hitachi Raid
Latest platform allows first-time access to complex data management
Resellers can gain access to Hitachi Data Systems' (HDS's) latest high-end Raid storage platform and management software for complex data management for the first time.
The TagmaStore Universal Storage Platform (USP) is designed to provide up to 32 petabytes of virtual storage which links internal capacity to external, heterogeneous storage devices. It is also said to enable agnostic logical partitioning and remote replication across SANs.
However, the firm admitted the new flagship platform will be sold through both direct and indirect channels. The latter includes recently renewed strategic partnerships with Sun and Hewlett-Packard (HP). Sun will re-badge the platform to resell it with HDS services alongside its own, while HP has an OEM deal.
"All of our channel partners certified to sell our Lightning 9900V series can sell this product," said Mark Ellery, business development manager at HDS.
Three TagmaStore models are available with a maximum internal raw capacity of 332 terabytes and support for up to 1,152 146GB or 300GB disk drives.
An entry-level model, the USP100 has a cached bandwidth of 17Gbps, with performance equivalent to its predecessor, the Lightning 9990V system.
The next model, the USP600, delivers an extra 17Gbps cached bandwidth and has up to 128 Fibre Channel (FC) interfaces.
The top-of-the-range USP1100 model has 68Gbps of cached bandwidth and up to 192 FC interfaces, along with the FICON, ESCON and NAS connectivity of the other models.
HP has released its OEM version, StorageWorks XP12000, simultaneously, and claims to have integrated functions of its own storage software.
The XP12000 includes external storage support for the HP StorageWorks Modular Array MSA 1000, which supports SCSI drives to offer a cheaper alternative to enterprise-class FC drives. It will add support for its MSA1500 disk array.
Andrew Fitzgerald, enterprise storage manager at HDS partner SCC, said: "Virtualisation is becoming more predominant in customer's minds and this [HDS] platform addresses this.
"It offers distinct advantages to customers that want to add another layer of software management functionality to a heterogeneous storage environment and is a good opportunity for greenfield sites."