SGI Expands Capability of SAN Filesystem, Increasing Applicability in Multi-OS Computing Environments
CXFS 2.2 Now Supports up to 32 Heterogeneous Application Servers in One Storage Area Network
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Nov. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today, SGI announced its popular shared filesystem for storage area networks (SANs), CXFS(TM) 2.2, can manage up to 32 different client machines within one SAN. CXFS(TM) previously handled up to 16 client machines. This significant improvement increases the scalability of SGI® storage solutions and ultimately increases productivity for users of SAN environments by eliminating file duplication and the time it takes to move large files over the network. The release of CXFS follows the release of the Brocade® SilkWorm® 3900, a 32-port Enterprise Fabric Switch that SGI offers to its customers.
CXFS enables multiple computers running different operating systems -- SGI® IRIX®, Windows NT® and Sun(TM) Solaris(TM) -- to directly access a single shared, 64-bit filesystem within a SAN, allowing all systems in the environment to simultaneously access the same file at local or near-local disk speeds. CXFS also provides massive scalability, throughput, availability, ease of management and low total cost of ownership for storing, accessing and managing data in a high-performance, multiplatform SAN environment. CXFS improves data workflow by providing customers the performance and scalability of a SAN with the file sharing and connectivity of network-attached storage, addressing two fundamental challenges in data management: fast access to information and seamless integration of multiple operating systems.
Earlier this month, Brocade announced the release of the SilkWorm 3900, a 32-port Enterprise Fabric Switch that brings together the best of Brocade entry-to-enterprise features to offer enterprise scalability, manageability and high availability, as well as the attractive pricing, modularity and simplicity required for smaller environments.
The SilkWorm 3900 provides a complete solution for a departmental network or can easily function as an edge switch within an enterprise core-to-edge storage network. Based on the same third-generation ASIC technology as the rest of the SilkWorm product family and delivering Brocade's proven advanced fabric services, it provides simplified management, cost-effectiveness, increased performance, higher availability, increased reliability and enhanced security.
The SilkWorm 3900, used in conjunction with CXFS 2.2, gives customers the impressive ability to manage and access one filesystem across multiple platforms for up to 32 different systems, in one storage area network.
Jay Kidd, Brocade vice president of product marketing, said, "We are pleased that SGI will be offering the SilkWorm 3900 to its worldwide base of customers. CXFS provides enterprises with the unique capability of using one shared filesystem in their heterogeneous SAN environment and of reaping the subsequent efficiencies and management benefits - both of which are key requirements important for organizations looking to deploy a SAN."
"This expanded shared-filesystem capability is really an important one for our customers as they continue to look for ways to scale to their rapidly expanding data management needs, while also trying to keep the management of their systems as simple as possible," said Susan Tellep, director of product marketing, SGI.
"Allowing customers to access data in one shared filesystem across multiple platforms and storage solutions ultimately allows our customers more- rapid access to the mission-critical data they need."
SGI storage solutions are primarily used by customers generating massive amounts of complex data, including customers in industries such as government and defense, media, the sciences, manufacturing, and energy.
Because it uses the available SAN infrastructure, CXFS can deliver much greater I/O performance and bandwidth than any network-data-sharing mechanism, such as NFS or CIFS. Based on the industry-leading XFS(TM) filesystem and the XVM volume manager, CXFS benefits from field-proven and feature-rich capabilities such as:
-- 64-bit scalability that supports file sizes up to 9 million terabytes and filesystems up to 18 million terabytes
-- Heterogeneous client support for IRIX, Solaris and Windows NT now, and other versions of Windows(R) and UNIX(R) environments in the future
-- Proven, time-tested technology
-- Highly optimized distributed buffering techniques that allow the industy's fastest performance
-- High availability with automatic failure detection and recovery
-- Centralized intuitive management tools
-- Complete POSIX compliance needing no application change
-- Tight integration with other SGI infrastructure software including: FailSafe(TM), DMF, TMF, Trusted IRIX(TM) and SGI Media Server(TM) for broadcast
Pricing and Availability
SGI CXFS 32-client support is available in November. CXFS for Windows NT starts at $1,800 (U.S. list) for up to two processors and scales up to four processors. CXFS for Solaris starts at $4,200 (U.S. list) for up to two processors, scaling up to 108 processors. CXFS for IRIX starts at $3,500 (U.S. list) for up to two processors and scales up to 512 processors. Brocade SilkWorm 3900 is available in November from SGI starting at $62,500. For more information about SGI products, services and solutions visit the Web site at www.sgi.com.
About Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
Brocade offers the industry's leading intelligent platform for networking storage. The world's leading systems, applications and storage vendors have selected Brocade to provide a networking foundation for their SAN solutions. The Brocade SilkWorm family of fabric switches and software is designed to optimize data availability and storage and server resources in the enterprise. Using Brocade solutions, companies can simplify the implementation of storage area networks, reduce the total cost of ownership of data storage environments and improve network and application efficiency. For more information, visit the Brocade Web site at www.brocade.com or contact the company at info@brocade.com.
About SGI Storage Solutions
SGI enables unified access for supercomputer-class data workflows in multiplatform environments. High-performance computing and advanced visualization environments generate huge amounts of data, driving the need for high-bandwidth architectures, scalable filesystem technology and intelligent hierarchical storage management capabilities.
SGI offers a complete family of integrated data management solutions including multi-OS SAN solutions (the SGI SAN Server(TM) 1000 system with the SGI® CXFS(TM) 2.1 SAN shared filesystem), direct-attached storage solutions and the SGI® File Server system for network-attached storage. All three architectures enjoy the scalability benefits of SGI modular architecture and enhanced backup, as well as high availability and hierarchical storage management. Additionally, to ensure optimal high-performance data-sharing solutions, SGI Technology Solutions offers a suite of product-focused implementations, system management services and customized consulting services that enable customers to maximize their storage investments.
For more information about SGI products, services and solutions please visit www.sgi.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding CXFS 2.2 that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such statements. The reader is cautioned not to rely unduly on these forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of future performance. Such risks and uncertainties include the timely distribution of CXFS 2.2 in sufficient volume to meet demand; the impact of competitive markets, products and pricing; the acceptance of applicable technologies by markets and customers; the ability of the company to manage a complex set of engineering, marketing and distribution relationships; and other risks detailed from time to time in the company's most recent SEC reports, including its reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q.
About SGI
Celebrating its 20th year, SGI, also known as Silicon Graphics, Inc., is the world's leader in high-performance computing, visualization and the management of complex data. SGI products, services and solutions enable its technical and creative customers to gain strategic and competitive advantages in their core businesses. Whether being used to design and build safer cars and airplanes, discover new medications and oil reserves, predict the weather, entertain us with thrilling movie special effects or provide mission-critical support for government and defense, SGI systems and expertise are empowering a world of innovation and discovery. The company, located on the Web at www.sgi.com, is headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., and has offices worldwide.
NOTE: Silicon Graphics, SGI, IRIX and the SGI logo are registered trademarks and XFS, CXFS, Trusted IRIX, SGI Media Server, FailSafe and SGI SAN Server are trademarks of Silicon Graphics, Inc., in the U.S. and/or other countries worldwide. Windows and Windows NT are registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.
Brocade, the B weave logo and SilkWorm are registered trademarks of Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States or in other countries. All other brands, products, or service names are or may be trademarks or service marks of, and are used to identify, products or services of their respective owners. All products, plans, and dates are subject to change without notice.
Source: SGI
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