HP storage solution cost efficiently extends fibre channel SANs via IP networks

The solution provides a cost-efficient entry point to IP storage by extending the benefits of existing SANs to isolated, "stranded" servers through IP networks.

The HP StorageWorks SR2122 iSCSI storage router is a key building block of HP's ENSAextended strategy to deliver an adaptive infrastructure for storage, based on business requirements, that is controllable, resilient and extensible. Based on the new standard iSCSI (Internet small computer systems interface) protocol, the device integrates TCP/IP and Fibre Channel connectivity in a single unit. The HP iSCSI storage router provides block-level, location-independent data storage and retrieval. Enterprises can deploy the product to consolidate storage resources, centralise backup, improve disk utilisation, shorten storage implementation and simplify storage management.

"HP is a strong proponent of multi-protocol storage environments, and the HP StorageWorks SR2122 iSCSI storage router demonstrates our commitment to providing customers with IP storage capabilities to extend their SAN investments beyond the data center," said Martin Regli, director of enterprise product marketing, HP Network Storage Solutions, EMEA. "We will continue to expand our standards-based solutions to allow customers to extend their SAN infrastructure for broader use in their enterprises, therefore helping improve their return on investment."

Large enterprises seeking to augment existing Fibre Channel SANs can use the low-cost HP iSCSI storage router as an easy method of providing SAN connectivity to isolated servers or servers without internal expansion capabilities -- eliminating the need to extend Fibre Channel networking components to these environments. The product enables consolidated storage solutions where it would be otherwise cost prohibitive or impractical to deploy traditional fibre infrastructures.

According to IDC's Worldwide Disk Storage Systems Quarterly Tracker, December 2002, HP is the No. 1 provider of open SANs for the third quarter of 2002. HP delivers technology-agnostic, end-to-end storage solutions that dynamically align IT resources to business objectives. HP storage environments enable faster time to market, reduced risk, greater return on IT investment and a higher quality of service.

Available immediately, the HP StorageWorks SR2122 is a multi-protocol, storage router with two Gigabit Ethernet ports, for connectivity to standard TCP/IP networks, and 2-gigabit Fibre Channel interfaces for connectivity to the SAN. Fully qualified and tested by HP standards, the storage router offers iSCSI connectivity for X86 servers, including HP ProLiant BL series blade servers, as well as HP StorageWorks HSG80 products, HP StorageWorks Modular SAN Array 1000, HP StorageWorks Enterprise Virtual Arrays and all major enterprise backup solutions.