Sun Storage Strategy: Sun Redefines Storage For The Network Age with the Intelligent Storage Network
PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--January 28, 1998-- Highly Flexible And Infinitely Scalable New Architecture Enables Multiplatform Devices to Work Together
Storage took a giant leap forward into the world of network computing today as Sun Microsystems, Inc. announced the revolutionary new Intelligent Storage Network(TM) architecture. Leveraging Sun's expertise in high-performance systems for network computing, the Intelligent Storage Network model delivers mainframe-class reliability, availability and serviceability (RAS), as well as headroom for unlimited growth and multiplatform information sharing. The architecture is a long-term strategy that customers can begin implementing today with Sun's current line of Sun(TM) StorEdge(TM) products. With the Intelligent Storage Network model, customers will be able to build heterogeneous storage systems with interchangeable building-block components; offer end users anytime/anywhere access to muliplatform information; load data warehouses in a fraction of the time previously required; consolidate storage systems for cost savings; and manage the storage environment from anywhere with a Java(TM) technology web browser.
"Today, Sun is doing for storage what it did for network computing-enabling multi-platform devices to work together," stated John Shoemaker, vice president and general manager of Sun Microsystems Computer Company's Enterprise Server and Storage Group. "Storage has come into its own as industry and customer needs are propelling information to ever greater importance. With Sun's Intelligent Storage Network architecture, stored data becomes a strategic tool enabling customers to become more productive, reach new markets and discover untapped sources of revenue and cost savings."
Traditional Storage Architectures Can't Keep Pace With Changing Customer Needs
As customers continue to realize the strategic importance of data, more value and dependency is placed on information. IT managers no longer are content with traditional storage architectures, in which storage systems essentially are islands of information. This model limits access to enterprise information, is difficult to manage, and lacks flexibility. Storage resources cannot scale easily to meet new requirements or adapt to changing business conditions.
Sun's visionary Intelligent Storage Network architecture combines the traditional attributes of high-quality storage systems-reliability, availability, performance, and manageability-with the connectivity and distributed access benefits of network computing. The result is a flexible architecture that integrates industry-leading technology from best-of-breed vendors, enabling customers to build exactly the solution they need, when they need it, without sacrificing previous investments.
With Sun's Intelligent Storage Network architecture, customers will be able to enjoy the basic features of traditional storage systems plus a host of new features and benefits, such as: zero downtime expansion with unlimited growth potential; true multi-platform information sharing for zero-copy data warehousing; scalable performance and capacity in cost-effective increments; consolidation of dispersed storage resources managed from a central location; and anytime, anywhere access to any authorized data with a Java technology web browser.
"We're rolling out one of the largest SAP implementations in North America, and we believe Sun is the one vendor that can meet all of our requirements for safe, flexible, scalable storage," said Sam Baty, Chief Information Officer for Browning-Ferris Industries, the world's second-largest waste management company.
How Sun's Intelligent Storage Network Architecture Is Different
Five key technologies and capabilities differentiate Sun's Intelligent Storage Network model from the industry's traditional approach to storage:
1) Intelligent Storage Server(TM) System: A UNIX, symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) server running a full operating system that controls storage functions. With an Intelligent Storage Server system, customers can specify exactly the functionality they need (e.g. RAID, information sharing, backup). As their needs grow and change, additional intelligence can be moved from the compute server to the storage server, extending the life and power of the entire system. 2) True Information Sharing: The ability to directly and seamlessly access information among mainframes, UNIX and NT systems. This capability is essential to ensure that enterprise information is always current and immediately accessible.
3) Fibre Channel Networking: A high performance, scalable network backbone optimized for storage. Fibre Channel is a standards-based, network-centric medium that is uniquely capable of providing heterogeneous connectivity, availability, and scalable high-performance. 4) Java Technology Storage Network Management Software: Storage management software is required to protect critical assets, distribute information, and manage the performance, availability and durability of stored information. Due to the nature and demands of heterogeneous environments, it is becoming increasingly important for all facets of a storage management solution to work together, regardless of platform. Sun's Java technology is becoming the best solution for deployment across heterogeneous networks. 5) Building Block Components: The ability to create customized storage solutions in cost-effective increments. This modular architectural approach to storage enables customers to upgrade to the latest technologies quickly and cost-effectively, while still protecting current investments.
"Sun's announcement of the Intelligent Storage Network is further proof of Sun's commitment to network-based solutions," said Lynn Ferrante, engineering manager, application solutions division, Sybase. "Sybase customers implementing data warehousing can look toward Sun's new storage architecture to access their data, whether it's on a mainframe or an open system."
The Sun StorEdge Family: Building the Intelligent Storage Network
Customers can begin transforming the Intelligent Storage Network vision into reality today with Sun's new StorEdge family of heterogeneous storage products. Sun StorEdge products form a complete, scalable, desktop-to-data center line of storage solutions, encompassing hardware, software, switches, hubs and networking infrastructure. Together, the Sun StorEdge products deliver on the five key differentiators of the Intelligent Storage Network vision: -- Sun StorEdge A7000 Intelligent Storage Server(TM) System with Sun StorEdge DataShare Software: The Sun StorEdge A7000 product, announced today, is the industry's first Intelligent Storage Server system. The A7000 concurrently supports mainframes, UNIX and NT servers (including Solaris(TM) systems), offers mainframe-class RAS features, and provides true intelligent information-sharing capabilities through Sun StorEdge DataShare software, also announced today. DataShare provides completely seamless zero-copy information sharing among heterogeneous systems.
-- Sun StorEdge A5000 Array with Fibre Channel Hubs: Sun is an industry leader in the development of Fibre Channel, with more than 3,000 terabytes currently installed. Sun's second-generation Fibre Channel subsystem, the Sun StorEdge A5000 product, is the industry's highest-performance Fibre Channel storage array. The A5000 offers increased availability and connectivity through hot-pluggable Fibre Channel hubs, with Fibre Channel switches slated for availability later this year. In addition, the A5000 is the perfect fit for data warehouse applications due to its high speed Fibre Channel connection from the host through to the disks. Sun is firmly committed to extending the use of Fibre Channel throughout the Sun StorEdge product line in the future.
-- Java Technology Storage Network Management Software: Sun offers a complete line of software tools from industry-leading vendors such as Veritas Software and Legato Systems that address the full range of network storage management needs, including backup, hierarchical storage management (HSM), disk volume management, tape library management and more. It is working to integrate these tools through Java technology, so that storage management applications from multiple vendors will seamlessly interoperate and be controlled from a single browser-based GUI from anywhere on the network.
-- Building Block Components: Sun currently offers a wide range of storage hardware and software components that serve as building blocks for creating total network-based solutions. All of Sun's building block components can be added incrementally, maximizing efficiency and flexibility and providing superior investment protection.
Mission-Critical Service and Support for the Intelligent Storage Network Architecture
Sun has developed a comprehensive array of service solutions through the entire lifecycle of an Intelligent Storage Network implementation, including development, deployment and ongoing management. Services can be tailored to meet the needs of individual products, or for the entire storage environment. Services available from Sun include: -- Professional Services: Consulting and integration services help customers properly plan and implement an effective data and storage management solution for maximum data protection. Sun developed specific services around Backup and Recovery, Disk and Volume Management, and High Availability and Parallel Database Management.
-- Proactive Systems Support and Account Management: Sun StorEdge A7000 Intelligent Storage Server system remote diagnostics and phone home capabilities with a 15-minute response time for urgent issues, can resolve problems before customers are aware of them. Support is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day with 4 hour on-site response.
-- Enterprise Education Services: Customers build competence using Sun StorEdge products and technologies and work to maximize the skill levels in a network computing environment through hands-on training.
Pricing and Availability
The Intelligent Storage Network architecture is a long-term strategy that customers can begin implementing today with Sun's current line of Sun StorEdge products. For complete pricing and availability, please contact a Sun sales representative or authorized reseller.
About Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision, "The Network Is The Computer(TM)," has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ:SUNW), to its position as a leading provider of hardware, software and services for establishing enterprise-wide intranets and expanding the power of the Internet. With more than $9 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 150 countries and on the WorldWide Web at sun.com.
-0- Note to Editors: Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo, Intelligent Storage Network, Sun StorEdge, Intelligent Storage Server, Java, Solaris and The Network Is The Computer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries. UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, exclusively licensed through X/Open Company, Ltd. Press announcements and other information about Sun Microsystems are available on the Internet via the World Wide Web using a tool such as Netscape Navigator or Sun's HotJava. Type sun.com at the URL prompt.
CONTACT:
Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Maria Villarino, 650/786-3205
maria.villarino@sun.com
or
Burson-Marsteller
Angela Hesse/Layla Gafari, 650/287-4000
angela-hesse@bm.com
layla-gafari@bm.com |
