50x growth in storage requirements by 2005 (EMC). 250x growth in network bandwidth by 2005 (Lucent). Processing power doubling every 18-24 months (Moore's Law). The PC/Server as we know it today rapidly turning into the classic model with many novel switching and access devices developing around it.
The Axient press release clearly shows how the core/edge philosophy is maintained with its choice of high-end Symmetrix and mid-range Clariion for their virtual storage network. The centralized management/distributed storage model -- or FC-based SAN back-end/GE front-end -- is clearly the way to go to cope with the kind of growth that may just be dawning on a lot of people.
More interesting elements from the network of the exclusive provider of Olympics 2000 streaming video.:
a) Storage network
Axient is deploying 66 terabytes (66 trillion bytes) of EMC CLARiiON FC4500 storage systems throughout its national network, and has implemented EMC Symmetrix Enterprise Storage for all centralized corporate applications at its Phoenix, Ariz., headquarters. Axient's network delivers content locally rather than over the congested public Internet. Content is delivered from Axient's local servers through the access provider's last-mile router directly to the Internet user. Axient's network is now operational in 60 metropolitan markets in the continental U.S. and will reach 191 LATAs (local telephone calling areas) in the continental U.S. by early 2001
b) Servers, databases and other software populating the back-end and the front-end
Axient has installed EMC Symmetrix Enterprise Storage in its data center to provide centralized, high-performance storage to mission-critical applications, including network monitoring, Oracle databases, Oracle Financials, Microsoft Exchange, software development, and sales force automation. Both CLARiiON and Symmetrix systems are equipped with EMC Connectrix Fibre Channel switches to expand connectivity to various Axient servers, which include Sun Solaris, Sun Netra and Dell Windows NT.
c) Load-balancing and traffic control front-end
Axient is integrating redundant Alteon Web switches in 191 LATAs (local telephone calling areas) in the continental U.S. to provide high-performance load balancing, Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, high availability and content-intelligent switching services to thousands of content servers. Axient plans to deploy more than 250 Alteon Gigabit Ethernet 180e Web switches and more than 100 Alteon 700 modular Web switches. Axient is currently operational in 60 major metropolitan areas in the continental U.S. and will reach the 191 LATAs by early 2001.
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