Networked storage solution

NETGEAR has introduced a networked storage solution to be called as Storage Central Turbo (SC101T) for sharable data backup and storage needs. NETGEAR Storage Central Turbo, a Gigabit Ethernet interface that can enable user to quickly transfer, share and store music, photos, data files, and videos across the network. The SC101T, which can supports two 3.5-inch Serial ATA (SATA) disk drives of any capacity.

Infortrend has passed Bluefish444 quality test

Infortrend has passed the qualification testing EonStor S12F-G1420 4Gb Fibre Channel to Serial Attached SCSI (FC-4G-to-SAS), single controller RAID subsystem with SD Greed, HDLust, and HDFury video I/O cards from Bluefish444. The Bluefish444 brand produces the highest quality 10- to 16-bit uncompressed SD, HD and 2K capture cards for Windows XP, Mac OS and Linux. Used to create over 100 Hollywood feature films, including several Academy Award winners, Bluefish444 video I/O cards can deliver the highest standard in capture, playback, and broadcast in any format.

Seagate presents its Storage Management Module

Seagate Technology has launched its Storage Management Module (SMM), a software solution containing drivers, utilities and tools to provide hard drive support for a wide variety of chipsets. Seagate SMM can clear technical obstacles for integrating hard drives into consumer electronic devices such as mobile phones, personal media players, IPTV set-top boxes, automotive devices. The software is designed to optimize hard drive-powered devices for efficient power consumption, better media recording and playback performance.

Data Migration software

Incipient has announced that it’s Network Storage Platform (iNSP) software suite has achieved general availability. Using iNSP user can migrate data within a storage area network (SAN). iNSP can support the Cisco MDS 9000 Series of intelligent FC switches with the 32-Port Storage Services Module (SSM). iNSP can also deliver opportunity for amount of overlap time between new arrays scheduled for production and older arrays scheduled for decommissioning. In addition, for companies choosing to introduce Tier 2 storage into their SAN, iNSP facilitates the process. iNSP can automatically and quickly provision new Tier 2 storage and then seamlessly migrate data between storage tiers.

Hybrid Storage Alliance formed

Hitachi, Samsung, Seagate and Toshiba have formed the Hybrid Storage Alliance (HSA) to gain the benefits of hybrid hard drive technology to computer makers and end users. Hybrid hard drive technology can answer to growing demand for notebook PCs that can produce the speed and durability of desktop PCs. Hybrid technology, which can be deployed in other mobile devices and computing systems, combines the unmatched capacity and cost-effectiveness of hard drives with the responsiveness, power-efficiency and durability of flash memory. Microsoft Windows Vista is the first operating system to take full advantage of the performance, power and durability benefits of hybrid technology.

A platform for HD DVD players

Microsoft Corp. and Broadcom Corp. have introduced a hardware and software reference design for cost efficient HD DVD playback. The new platform uses Microsoft Windows CE 6.0 and Broadcom’s BCM7440 system-on-chip solution, can allow user electronics manufacturers, original design manufacturers and systems integrators to easily and affordably deliver HD DVD playback. The Microsoft and Broadcom platform can also ensure a high level of compliance with the HD DVD specification and compatibility with other HD DVD platforms, including the Xbox 360 platform. The hardware and software platform can meet the requirements for the playback of advanced HD DVD interactive content already in production by leading Hollywood studios.

Toshiba unveils desktop HD DVD writer

Toshiba Storage Device Division has introduced SD-H903A, high definition DVD writer with video editing and content creation capabilities on desktop systems and media centers. SD-H903A provides read and write support for legacy formats, enabling users to enjoy existing CD and DVD material along with high-definition DVD content. SD-H903A can also provide data back-up capabilities for commercial applications. This functionality can ideal for archiving graphic, legal, financial and technical data, which require reliable, high-quality back-up solutions.

American Megatrends deployed Apito

American Megatrends has successfully tested its new version of firmware Apito V3.6 and V4.5.2 based on Intel Platform Innovation Framework for EFI, PEI and DXE core. The structure of Aptio architecture can provides ease of porting and development. The Porting template can produce a standard porting environment that can presents similar functionality and look and feel across various implementations, with documented porting steps. Aptio enables the capabilities of desktop, mobile, server or embedded platforms.

ATTO demonstrate innovative storage infrastructure solutions

ATTO Technology has demonstrated its SAS/SATA RAID adapters that can enhance workflow productivity from SD through HD to 2k and 4k film for the broadcast and post production environments. This demonstration addresses the need to add RAID protection to critical data without suffering the performance impact associated with more traditional solutions. The ATTO ExpressSAS RAID Adapter family can produce SAS/SATA II connectivity and can deliver fast performance with transfer rates of up to 3-Gb/sec. per port. It is the low profile line of adapters offering user selectable port configuration options. Featuring advanced fault-tolerant features that include hot swap, hot spares, online capacity expansion, battery back-up, and optimized disk utilization for SAS/SATA or SATA II drives.

Smart move from EMC

Newest Versions of EMC Smarts IP Availability Manager and Service Assurance Manager address Broader Scope of Complex IT Environments. Smarts IP Availability Manager can automate real-time root-cause analysis of critical network connectivity layers, including network-attached storage connectivity. EMC Smarts Service Assurance Manager 7.0 comes with IP Tagging and users can better handle overlapping IP addresses in both IP and MPLS environments. Smarts can now tag and monitor multiple links with the same address. Both Smarts Availability Manager and Service Assurance Manager software are built on EMC’s unique architecture, which can leverage three core disciplines to deliver a more intelligent, automated management solution.

Smart technology for digital video recording

Hitachi has developed new software technology for digital video recording (DVR) to be called AVSM. This technology is designed to seamlessly manage the mix of high definition video streaming and best effort file operations. Through “smart” hard drive management, AVSM technology can help reduce duty cycle by up to 60 percent and eliminates disk fragmentation, ultimately helping to extend the life of the hard drive and the host STB system. AVSM technology gives the STB system
the ability to distinguish between streaming applications (movies, streaming media) and best-effort,
non-real-time applications (electronic program guide, IPTV download, photo viewing).

Technology for boosting PC performance

Agere Systems has announced the ET1310 PCI Xpress Gigabit Ethernet personal computer (PC) chip achieved interoperability with the ATI TechnologiesRadeon Xpress chipset family. The achievement can make PC manufacturers who select the ATI and Agere chips for use on their same circuit boards can increase Gigabit Ethernet throughput and reduce power consumption by approximately 20 percent compared with existing technologies, thereby extending battery life and accelerating their product deliveries. Agere’s chip is the engine that can handles data transport through computers at Gigabit per second Ethernet speeds.

SGI introduced its Altix XE310 and XE1300 servers

SGI has announced the availability of its SGI Altix XE310 server and XE 1300 cluster. The Altix XE310 with the innovative new “Atoka” motherboard design, developed in a collaborative effort between SGI and Intel Corporation. The new Atoka board can produce the Altix XE310 server to accommodate up to four Quad Core Intel Xeon processor 5300 series into a single 1U chassis. That equates to eight cores per node, or a total of 16 cores per chassis. The Altix XE1300 cluster combines multiple XE310 compute nodes with an Altix XE240 head node in a preconfigured, ultra-dense package for the toughest applications. SGI Altix XE runs Linux operating systems, with a choice of Novell SUSE Linux Enterprise Server or Red Hat Enterprise Linux. In addition, the SGI ProPack 5 for Linux OS option includes resource management tools and enhanced development libraries like Flexible File Input/Output (FFIO) which provides programmers with fine-grained control of I/O transfers to maximize performance.

Sun launched latest version of Solaris Cluster

Sun Microsystems has announced its latest version of Solaris Cluster, Sun’s premier business continuity and disaster recovery platform for the Solaris 10 OS. These enhancements can support key reliability features of the Solaris 10 OS, and can make it easier to use, further improving availability and produce flexibility. The new functions extend the reliability of the Solaris 10 OS to help keep databases, applications and services running 24x7 through routine maintenance, unplanned outages and even whole datacenter outages. Solaris Cluster now offers more third-party software configuration choices including replication software and storage solutions from leading vendors such as EMC, Hitachi, Oracle, and Symantec.

Microsoft and Teradata offer Optimized Solutions

Microsoft Corp. and Teradata have been ready to work together to optimize interoperability between Microsoft business intelligence solutions and Teradata Enterprise Data Warehouse will help information workers gain access to, analyze and report on critical data more quickly. In addition, interoperability collaboration efforts with Teradata will include SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services, SQL Server 2005 Integration Services, and the 2007 Microsoft Office system including Microsoft Office Excel 2007, Windows SharePoint Services and Microsoft Office PerformancePoint Server 2007. The worldwide relationship includes plans for joint sales and marketing activities across multiple industries, beginning with the retail sector.

IBM and Intel to produce vConsolidate methodology

IBM and Intel Corporation have joined in an initiative aimed at improving how IT managers select, deploy and measure virtualized server solutions for enterprise data centers. This joint initiative is a new virtualization benchmarking methodology called vConsolidate that can run multiple instances of consolidated database, mail, Web and JAVA workloads in multiple virtual CPU partitions on Intel-based System x servers to simulate real-world server performance in a typical environment. IBM and Intel are contributing the vConsolidate methodology to an industry standards body for consideration. IBM and Intel created a VMware Infrastructure Sizing Guide aimed at helping users select and appropriately configure the various virtualized server options available to them.

SCO and Team 1 partnered
SCO Group has signed a partnership agreement with Team1 Systems to provide SCO UNIX solutions for Team1 server systems. Team1 Systems becomes one of SCO’s U.S. distribution partners for providing resellers with turn key SCO UNIX systems that can quickly delivered into customer environments. The SCO Group is a provider of UNIX software technology and mobile services, offering SCO OpenServer for small to medium business.

Oracle introduced Applications Certification Program

Oracle University has announced the availability of its E-Business Suite 11i Application certification program. Oracle E-Business Suite 11i Applications certification program is based on version 11i of Oracle E-Business Suite and Oracle University E-Business Suite curriculum. The program enables applications professionals to pursue Oracle E- Business Suite 11i Financials Certified Professional Consultant, Oracle E-Business Suite 11i Supply Chain Certified Professional Consultant, and Oracle E-Business Suite 11i Applications Technology Certified Professional Administrator. Each path validates and recognizes specific areas of competency within Oracle E-Business Suite 11i Applications usage and concepts.

SCO signs MoU with Gujarat government

SCO group has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of Gujarat, India under the aegis of Vibrant Gujarat investor summit to form a new venture called Me Inc. SCO Group and its partners in India will be focused on harnessing Me Inc mobile technologies to offer mobile enterprise solutions in the cities and to help bridge the digital divide in the rural areas. The new venture is expected to start the marketing, sales and distribution of their mobile enterprise solutions in India.

Intel Quad Core processor series

Intel has deployed Quad-Core Intel Xeon Processor 3200 series for single-socket servers. Built on the Intel Core microarchitecture, these products can fulfill the need of entry server applications such as e-mail, Web, file and print. The new processors are available with clock speeds
of 2.4 and 2.13 GHz with a 1066 front side bus and 8 MB of L2 cache. Intel’s processors can help reduce the amount of energy required to run computers and “shrink” a processor’s make-up to place multiple cores inside one product.

Srivatsan as VP for Business Objects

Business Objects has announced the appointment of V.R. Srivatsan as Regional Vice president for South Asia region, covering South East Asia and India. Srivatsan will report directly to Keith Budge, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Asia Pacific. Srivatsan brings with him more than 17 years of experience in the IT. The last four years as Managing Director of Oracle Malaysia. His leadership was marked by successful efforts to improve and grow the operations in Malaysia.

IBM introduces powerful Storage Systems

IBM has announced the System Storage DS3000. It can handle all the storage needs of SMBs as well as large enterprise users. The DS3000 is the intuitive Storage Manager software, which can allow user to set up and manage their data resources in six easy steps. The simple configuration, administration and management of the DS3000 is an important feature for SMBs, or remote offices of a large distributed enterprise. Both products offer an entry-level single controller model and a dual controller model to help maintain data-availability.

Enhanced hard drive from Hitachi

Hitachi has announced the availability of its 1.8 inch hard drive with up to 80 gigabytes (GB) of storage capacity named Travelstar C3K80. The Travelstar C3K80 is Hitachi’s second-generation perpendicular magnetic recording hard drive addressing the important requirements for consumer electronics today. It offers ample room for storing music, video and other digital content, longer battery life and 600 Gs of operating shock tolerance. The combination of these has made the new 1.8-inch hard drive suited for applications such as video-based MP3 players, digital camcorders, portable media players and handheld global positioning devices.

Transcend introduced multi-card Reader

Transcend has released its advanced multi-card Reader, RDM2. Transcend multi-card reader designed for faster, easier and more convenient data transfer and exchange. The portable RDM2 multi-card reader can read movies, photos, and e-data from the memory cards, such as SD, miniSD, CF Type I/II, Microdrive, MMC, MS and the new generation of SD cards (SD 2.0), the SDHC and miniSDHC memory cards. In addition, the RDM2 multi-card reader can accept the direct input of microSD cards and Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo without the need of adapters.

Stellar is expanding

Stellar has announced that it will expand its Indian data recovery service operations. The latest data recovery service labs can be setup at Chennai, Hyderabad, Navi Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chandigarh and Noida. Stellar’s decision came after a 35% growth in service revenues and user demand from the identified cities. Stellar plans to hire 45 personnel for the new service operations. The infrastructure and training of manpower can be completed in the current quarter and operations can be start from April 2007. Stellar currently operates five data recovery service labs located at New Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai and Gurgaon.

Sunil Chandna, CEO of Stellar Information Systems Ltd. stated “There has been rapid rise in data volume owing to strong adoption of computing in various businesses. Data is exposed to new threats every day and is more vulnerable then ever before. Stellar expansion plan is part of our mission to help customers recover their critical data and put business on track. Expanded service locations would help us to deliver faster turn around time, reduce customer anxiety and better experience.”

Decru expands its services and support

Decru has announced the expansion of its services programme including key additions to professional services, technical support, and training offerings. These investments can simplify storage security initiatives for Decru users, providing them with the expertise to design, implement, and manage security for data at rest across their enterprise. Decru Professional Services can offers a range of benefits, freeing organizations to focus on their core business while accelerating the creation of a secure storage environment.

Shankar becomes GM for IBM’s new region

IBM has announced India/South Asia as its sixth and newest region in Asia Pacific, and ASEAN as a stand-alone region. The newly-created India/South Asia region, which includes Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, will be headed by Shanker Annaswamy who has been the General Manager of IBM India since July 2004. In his new role as Region General Manager of IBM India/South Asia, Shanker will continue leading IBM’s India operation in addition to his region responsibilities and liable to report to Frank Kern, President of IBM Asia Pacific.

Trek awarded wireless storage technology patent

TREK 2000 International, best known as the inventor of the Thumbdrive portable data storage device, announced that it has been awarded a new patent covering wireless storage technology, in a number of countries including Singapore.

Trek’s Chief Executive Henn Tan revealed that Trek will be announcing a “new to market” product based on the new patent in the third quarter of this year. “This will be a completely new product that is currently not available on the market,” added Tan. The company said in a statement that “the contributions from this new solutions is expected to be realized in FY 2008.

Trek’s latest patent coverage is broad,
as it covers a storage device that facilitates wireless data communication between a computer and one or more external devices. This patent will thus enable Trek to produce a storage device that can be accessed wirelessly on a computer network, which is known as a “wireless network-attached storage” device.

QStar joins HP TAC partner program

QStar Technologies has joined the HP Tape Automation Compatibility (TAC) Partner Program and is now certified on the entire HP tape automation product line for both QStar HSM and QStar Data Director. QStar completed the testing and evaluation of several HP products in the HP StorageWorks Enterprise Backup Solution (EBS) Partner Lab in Houston, Texas. Supported products include the HP StorageWorks ESL E-Series, StorageWorks EML E-Series, StorageWorks MSL tape libraries, Autoloaders for both rewriteable and write once, read many (WORM) media, and the StorageWorks VLS 6000 and VLS 300 EVA Gateway products.

David Schneider named BakBone VP

BakBone Software has announced the appointment of David Schneider as vice president of BakBone’s strategic partner group. Schneider most recently was the managing director of Coral Sea Holdings, Inc., Prior to starting Coral Sea Holdings, Schneider served as president and chief executive officer of sanrise, a global storage service provider (SSP). Schneider’s responsibilities will include managing BakBone’s current worldwide OEM partner alliances including Sun Microsystems, NCR-Teradata, Network Appliance, Apple, NEC and Fujitsu, as well as developing future strategic relationships as BakBone extends its global reach into the enterprise marketplace.

BiTMICRO allied with ChipX

BiTMICRO Networks has announced a strategic alliance with ChipX. Under this alliance, BiTMICRO will utilize various ChipX Structured ASIC devices in the development of proprietary storage controller ICs such as the Enhanced Datamover and Storage Accelerator (EDSA) direct memory controller and the Logical Unifier of Extensive Transfer Arrays (LUNETA) memory flash interface. By providing the best path to production volume, ChipX Structured ASICs will allow BiTMICRO Networks to reach the market with rugged, low-power and high-performance storage devices at the shortest possible time.

Sun to support BakBone

BakBone Software has signed a worldwide technology licensing and distribution agreement with Sun Microsystems. This agreement can enable the worldwide availability and global cooperative support for BakBone’s NetVault; Backup product suite through Sun’s direct sales force, as well as its network of distributors and value-added resellers (VARs). The expanded agreement between BakBone and Sun builds on a relationship that now includes membership in Sun’s StorageTek Ready platform, as well as participation in the Sun Partner Advantage Program for ISVs.

ATTO gets YES Certificate from Novell

ATTO Technology has announced that ATTO ExpressPCI UL5D SCSI host adapter and Celerity FC-42ES Fibre Channel host adapter have received the Novell ‘YES CERTIFIED’ compatibility designation with SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 and NetWare 6.5. The ExpressPCI UL5D is a dual channel Ultra320 SCSI PCI Express host adapter can produce up to 320MB/sec. per channel and the Celerity FC-42ES is a dual channel 4-Gb Fibre Channel PCI Express host adapter delivering up to 800MB/sec. per channel. Through the ‘YES CERTIFIED’ Program, Novell assures customers that ATTO products are compatible with Novell products.

Atempo and Tandberg joined hands

Atempo has announced a technical alliance with Tandberg Data Corporation to Deliver Heterogeneous Data Protection Solutions to the SMB Market. Both companies offering storage products designed for Apple users and now these joint customers can take advantage of the tight integration of Tandberg Data and Atempo’s comprehensive Mac OS and heterogeneous data protection solutions. Atempo Time Navigator for Mac OS X is now certified on Tandberg Data’s Exabyte Magnum 224 and 448 LTO Tape Libraries. The Magnum LTO tape libraries can bring scalability and enterprise-class functionality to SMB, departmental and branch office users. Atempo’s Time Navigator software scales from the most basic setup to complex, heterogeneous enterprise environments, and offers complete data protection across the enterprise, including remote offices.

Adaptec appoints Ted Chen as VP

Adaptec inc. has appointed Ted Chen as vice president of worldwide marketing. Chen held several positions during his time at EMC, including chief technology officer for the Infrastructure Software Group and vice president of products within the Emerging Software Business Unit. Prior to EMC, Chen was the executive vice president responsible for engineering, marketing, and business operations at Prisa Networks, and came to EMC through the company’s acquisition of Prisa. Chen has also held senior marketing positions at Storage Dimensions, Hewlett Packard (12 years), and Lynx Real-Time Systems.

Samsung selects Agere Systems

Samsung has chosen Agere Systems for TrueONE home solutions to develop its home media server and gateway for mobile and broadband network service providers. The home media server can provide high-speed streaming throughout a home for up to eight simultaneous high definition TV (HDTV) channels. The server also can produce up to 4 terabytes of multimedia storage capacity. Agere’s home coupled with multimedia software and system solutions, are planned to be used in Samsung’s home media server and gateway platforms.

Data Domain expands worldwide operations

Data Domain has announced its Asia Pacific and Canadian operations. Data Domain operations in Australia have been established and operations in Korea and Singapore will open for business in January of 2007. The company has also recently established Canadian operations in Calgary, Montreal and Toronto and has continued to expand its presence in the United States and Europe. In addition, Data Domain has doubled its sales and support staff of its existing Tokyo operation to fuel its expanding business in the Japanese market.

Brocade acquired Silverback Systems

Brocade has completed the acquisition of Silverback Systems provider of network acceleration technologies headquartered in Campbell, California. Silverback develops network processors that help to accelerate the speed and performance of storage traffic in networked storage environments. This acquisition can enable Brocade to further deliver on its vision of extending the value of shared storage for enterprise users .This acquisition is the third for Brocade in the past 10 months. “We are committed to providing our users a broad range and choice of high performance networked storage solutions,” said Dan Crain, Chief Technology Officer at Brocade.