Interactive Week: Storage: Network set-ups gain on servers

“Storage appliances are busting out all over, and experts say
they are part of a trend to detach storage from specific servers
and make it a pooled resource on corporate networks.”

“Most server vendors produce their own version of a storage
appliance that is mounted on a rack and loaded with disk drives. In
addition, some of the fastest growing start-ups — the former
Cobalt Networks, now part of Sun Microsystems; Procom Technology;
and Snap Appliances — produce storage appliances. So do big
players, including Compaq Computer, Hewlett-Packard and IBM. Last
week VA Linux Systems announced a Linux-based storage appliance,
the 9450 model….”

“The rapid growth of the use of storage, combined with budget
constraints, is good news to storage appliance vendors, which are
frequently able to price their products below more highly
engineered alternatives. The VA Linux 9450 starts at $30,000, with
typical server-attached storage configurations that would cost
double that amount, said Larry Augustin, president of VA
Linux.”

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