By Kevin Komiega
October 9, 2008 -- Fujitsu Computer Systems this week became the latest storage vendor to offer small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) a unified storage system that serves both block and file data with the debut of the UDS 1000 storage appliance.
At its core, the UDS 1000 is a NAS appliance that scales in capacity to as much as 24TB using Fujitsu's Eternus storage technology and takes advantage of the hybrid storage capabilities of Microsoft's Windows Unified Data Storage Server (WUDSS) to manage iSCSI block-level data.
The UDS 1000 comprises a single Fujitsu Primergy RX200 S4 server running WUDSS with an Eternus 2000 Model 100 entry-level disk array underneath. The system can support up to 24 SAS drives.
What may separate the UDS 1000 from the rest of the Windows-based storage pack is the software features that come standard with the system at no additional cost, including snapshots, file-level data de-duplication, and replication.
Pricing for the UDS 1000 starts at $10,000 for a 4.5TB system.
Fujitsu will take the UDS 1000 to the masses primarily through channel partners. Steve Layman, a senior product marketing manager for Fujitsu, says beefing up channel strength is a priority for Fujitsu North America Holding Inc., a new company formed by the Fujitsu Group to bring together Fujitsu Consulting, Fujitsu Computer Systems, and Fujitsu Transaction Solutions under a unified corporate structure.
"We are a $2 billion company right now and we are putting more feet on the street in North America," says Layman. "Rather than hiring new direct sales staff, making a strong channel push is a key focus for us, especially with products for the SMB market."
The UDS 1000 will be available direct from Fujitsu, but according to Layman, partners and resellers, including CDW, PC Connection,and Tech Data will be Fujitsu's main conduit for bringing storage systems to customers.
