HP integrates Cisco switch, adds encryption storage arrays

HP added encryption to its Data Protector Software

Deni Connor

February 07, 2007 (Network World) -- Hewlett-Packard Co. this week launched an enhanced midrange storage array, a new Fibre Channel switch for its BladeSystem servers, a network-attached storage (NAS) gateway and encryption for its data protection software.

At the HP Asia Pacific StorageWorks Conference in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, the company added the ability to handle both application or block data and file data to its Enterprise Virtual Array family of arrays – the EVA4000, EVA6000 and EVA8000 in Windows or Linux environments. Called EVA File Services, the software lets customers virtualize their storage into a single pool that can be managed centrally. HP’s EVA File Services is a combination of its EVA arrays and file server clustering software it resells from PolyServe. The product, available in a two-node starter kit, is $90,000. It is expected to ship next month.

The Fibre Channel switch – the Cisco MDS 9124e Fabric Switch for HP c-Class BladeSystem -- is a 4Gbit/sec switch that fits in the BladeSystem enclosure and shares power and cooling with the server blades. The switch is available in 12- or 24-port configurations. Expected to be available next month, it costs $6,000 and $9,500, respectively.

The HP ProLiant DL585 G2 Storage Server is a NAS gateway that provides multiple protocols including iSCSI connectivity and features Serial Advanced Technology Attachment and Serial Attached SCSI drives. It is intended to be installed as a front-end device to a storage-area network (SAN) and provide file and print serving. The DL585 uses the Microsoft Windows Unified Data Storage Server 2003 operating system, which allows for combined SAN and NAS connectivity.

The G2 Storage Server is the second array to use Microsoft’s storage technology. Dell introduced the Dell PowerVault NX1950 in December 2006. The G2 Storage Server starts at $19,000.

Further, the company added 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard encryption to its Data Protector Software to secure data in flight and at rest. HP Data Protector Software automates the backup and recovery of data from disk or tape over distance for disaster recovery purposes. Data Protector Software starts at $490 per system backed up.