InfoStor : Attune adds replication to file virtualization appliance, October 2007 Page 1

By Kevin Komiega

October 1, 2007—It's no secret that managing file-based storage is becoming a complex task, and as unstructured data continues to grow so does the need for file virtualization platforms. To that end, Attune Systems has launched the Maestro File Manager FM6100, the latest version of the company's file virtualization appliance with new support for point-in-time replication and snapshots across heterogeneous storage devices.

Attune bills the Maestro File Manager as a non-disruptive appliance. It does not require any software be installed on clients, servers, or domain controllers. Additionally, no changes are required to DNS configurations. Maestro simply looks like a Windows-based file server to clients, and like a client to NAS filers.

The appliance introduces a virtualization layer between files and clients, decoupling where a file is stored from how it is represented to users and applications. Once files are in the virtual namespace, they can be migrated between heterogeneous file servers transparently and without changing user configurations or application file references.

Systems administrators can also architect tiered storage environments through the use of file migration policies by using metadata attributes, such as file size, file type, date last accessed or date last modified, to direct file movement.

Using the FM6100, storage administrators can track how their file servers and file system are performing over time by looking at CPU and memory utilization and throughput. In addition, data access patterns such as data of last access or frequency of access, as well as duplicate data, can be analyzed to optimize the management of file share resources.

The FM6100 appliance is based on Windows and natively supports and Common Internet File System (CIFS), Server Message Blocks (SMB), Microsoft Cluster Server, Active Directory, Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS), Opportunistic Locking (OpLocks), and Microsoft Domain Controller.

Daniel Liddle, vice president of marketing at Attune, says while Linux-based file virtualization products are capable of handling both CIFS and NFS traffic, Attune has decided to focus solely on the Windows platform and the CIFS protocol.

"We focus on CIFS with native support. That means we don't have the ongoing list of headaches that Linux-based vendors encounter when they try to reverse engineer code that Microsoft doesn't want reverse-engineered," Liddle says. "We have the only Microsoft-sanctioned file virtualization on the market today."

Liddle adds that Attune has also enhanced its snapshot technology in the FM6100 by providing centralized, user-visible snapshots across heterogeneous file servers and NAS devices.

The Maestro File Manager FM6100 is available as a single appliance for $29,995, or in a high-availability configuration for $84,995.

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