Access Control Methods for SAN-based Data
Here are five ways to achieve heterogeneous host attachment across storage area networks, with advantages and disadvantages.

Adding Intelligence to SANs
Over the past year, storage area network (SAN) technology has made significant headway. While the primary impetus behind SAN technology has been increased connectivity and bandwidth from servers to storage devices, new options in the form of adding intelligence to SANs to solve enterprise-wide storage management problems are becoming possible. This article introduces the notion of “intelligent” SANs, specifically what forms of intelligence can be embedded in SANs and how this technology may solv

Disk System Eliminates Network Delays in Entertainment Industry
Converting 3D digital images into film, video, or CD-ROM format is a computationally-intensive process, in some cases requiring several hundred gigaflops (or one billion floating points per second) of total computational power. With data demands like this, network bottlenecks are common.

Enterprise Backup/Restore from A to Z
In the first of a two-part series, we examine the advantages and disadvantages of various backup techniques.

NAS Definitions and Benefits
Users are demanding greater data management from their storage subsystems. In response, subsystems (RAID for example) are taking on more functionality and suppliers are attempting to increase profit margins by adding value to their products. The result of this trend: Network-attached storage (NAS) is becoming an increasingly important technology to increase functionality and potentially lower initial purchase and management costs.

The Future of SCSI
Enhancements such as Ultra2 SCSI, expanders, LUN bridges, switches, and Ultra3 SCSI promise to expand the life of the venerable interface.

Whats Next for Removable Storage?
Iomega is king of the hill, but there are a number of existing and emerging alternatives for desktop removable storage.

New Products

Aiwa enhances storage management suite
Array View II from Aiwa RAID Technology is software designed to support remote monitoring capabilities over the Internet using TCP/IP. Designed to work with the company`s MicroArray III disk arrays, the software enables array monitoring over a variety of network topologies.

Artecon doubles Fibre Channel paths, controllers
Last month, Artecon introduced a Fibre Channel RAID array with dual-active controllers and dual-redundant data paths. If one controller or data path fails, system traffic is automatically shifted to the remaining controller or path. The SuperFlex 7000FC can deliver a maximum aggregate throughput of up to 200MBps and comes with Artecon`s Redundant Data Path (RDP) software and RAIDScape management software. The arrays can be equipped with up to 256MB of controller cache and 10,000rpm disk drives,

Artecon improves RAID data accessibility
Artecon`s RDP (Redundant Data Path) for NT software is designed to increase the performance and reliability of RAID subsystems with dual-active controllers. In the event of a system component failure, RDP creates an alternate data path between the server and the RAID array. The result: the I/O path is no longer a single point of failure. RDP for NT is available as an option for Artecon`s SCSI-to-SCSI dual-active controller RAID systems. Pricing for a single-server license is $3,800. www.artecon.

Axis offers instant access to networked CD/DVDs
Axis Communications` StorPoint Disco software facilitates access to CDs and DVDs networked by StorPoint CD servers. By networking CDs and DVDs in one user desktop folder, users do not need to know the location or name of a particular server to find a CD. As a result, in an environment with hundreds of CDs and several networked CD towers, data can be accessed faster. StorPoint Disco automatically searches the network for Axis-based CD servers from tower manufacturers such as Boffin, Meridian Data

B&B unifies S/390, open systems
Boole & Babbage is currently shipping SpaceView/DS 1.1, a three-component software suite designed to place S/390 and client/server storage resources under the same management interface. Power Modules monitor and manage servers, using scripting languages to provide automation at the source of a problem or other situation; SpaceView Server holds the database for space, alarm, backup and device data; and SpaceView Explorer console oversees the server area and acts as a control center.

Concorde Technologies ships DLT library
Concorde Technologies announced the 60/3000 OpenScale Tape Library for high-end Windows NT and UNIX environments. The open-architecture library supports DLT4000, DLT7000, 2X-3490E, and SD-3 tape drives and can be configured with one master library module (with either 326 or 494 media slots) and up to five expansion modules (with up to 10 DLT

Emass sets price benchmark for DLT libraries
For less than a penny per megabyte, customers can now purchase a complete library solution from Emass. At $29,950, the SMART/4000si reportedly sets a new price benchmark for DLT automation. The multi-terabyte automated library comes with four DLT4000 drives and a single-server license for AMASS SMART archival software.

EMC improves InfoMover suite
EMC recently announced it has doubled file transfer performance and added Fibre Channel and Ultra SCSI connectivity to version 2.0 of its InfoMover software. Formerly known as Symmetrix Multihost Transfer Facility (SMTF), InfoMover 2.0 enables users to conduct high-speed bulk file transfers between any combination of supported mainframes and open-systems servers.

EMC increases Fibre Channel options
EMC has qualified its Symmetrix storage arrays to work with Fibre Channel connectivity devices for Hewlett-Packard and Sun platforms. The arrays can interoperate with Suns` Fibre Channel (which are based on Vixel hubs) and HP`s hubs and multiplexers. HP`s hubs are based on Gadzoox` devices. The arrays and connectivity devices can be configured as point-to-point Fibre Channel-Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL) at speeds of up to 100MBps. Connectivity distance for Sun environments is one kilometer; four kilo

Gadzoox adds low-end FC hub
Interoperable with the company`s 12-port Gibraltar GS Fibre Channel hub, Gadzoox Networks` 6-port Gibraltar GL hub offers the same feature set as the 12-port version, according to company officials. Targeted at storage area network configurations, particularly those based on Windows NT, the Gibraltar GL is a managed hub with copper and optical gigabit interface converter (GBIC) options. Like the GS, the Gibraltar GL includes Gadzoox` PerfectPort feature for data reliability, and can be managed v

Kanematsu offers storage management system
Kanematsu USA and its business partner Nippon Techno Lab recently began shipping HiOp, a combined hardware and software storage management device designed to free up Windows NT servers from the CPU-draining task of managing optical storage resources.

Medeas RAID targets video editing
Medea Corp.`s VideoRaid pci subsystems are specifically designed for desktop video editing applications and are configured as hardware-based RAID-0 devices. The subsystems can be integrated into Windows nonlinear editing systems via the PCI bus. The two-drive and four-drive arrays are spec`d at sustained data transfer rates of 15MBps and 27MBps, respectively.

MediaLogic offers mixed-media tape library
Media Logic is shipping the Ionic Series, a scalable, open-architecture tape library system that supports Eliant, Mammoth, and AIT tape drives. The series scales up to six hot-swappable drives and is fitted with a mixed-media interchange drawer for data migration. Part of MediaLogic`s M3 (Media, Merge, and Migration) system, the drawer allows users to migrate data from formats such as 4mm, 8mm, CD-ROM, or any half-height SCSI device to the library`s actively configured tape format. The drawer ac

Mitsumi expands CD-R line
Mitsumi Electronics introduced the CR-4801TE CD-R drive, an optical storage device designed for consumers and high-end PC users running Windows95 and Windows98. The drive conforms to enhanced IDE for easier integration.

NEC ships three-in-one CD-R drive
NEC Technologies recently introduced Multi CD-R, a CD-recordable disk drive that combines file distribution, recording, and file backup. As a recording device, Multi CD-R provides a choice of recording methods track at once, disc at once, and packet writing for 2X speed file copying onto CD-R media. The CD-R disks are readable by all CD-ROM drives. For file backup, Multi CD-R uses removable and rewritable PD cartridges to store images, files, and system backups. The drive provides up to 20X pla

New duplication system from JVC
The JVC Standalone Multi-Drive CD duplicating system duplicates up to six recordable CDs simultaneously and up to 24 CDs per hour. The drive is compatible with all CD formats and contains a membrane keypad, 40-character LCD, built-in CD writers, switching power supply, menu access via keypad, quad-speed CD recording, and automatic CD format detection. MSRP for the JVC Standalone Multi-Drive is $7,895. www.jvc.net.

NovaStor enhances disaster recovery/prevention
NovaStor Corp. has introduced the latest version of its NovaBackup software suite. Version 6.0 combines the NovaBack backup utility, NovaDisk disk-to-disk backup program, and NovaBoot disaster recovery utility.

Optima adds FC-AL to RAID arrays
Joining the avalanche of RAID vendors incorporating Fibre Channel connectivity, Optima Technology has added FC-AL to its GigaBank family of hardware-based RAID subsystems. The arrays can be configured in RAID 0, 1, 0+1, and 5 configurations with SCSI drives. Other features include 64MB of cache, capacity ranging from 18GB to terabytes, copper or fiber connections, and compatibility with Windows NT, NetWare, Macintosh, and Silicon Graphics platforms. For configuration and pricing information, vis

Quantum unveils DLT libraries, autoloaders
Within days of announcing its intention to acquire ATL Products, Quantum unveiled a new line of DLTtape libraries and autoloaders: the PowerStor L500 library and the L200 autoloader. Both products target UNIX and Windows NT markets.

SciNet debuts network-ready cluster jukebox
SciNet recently unveiled the DiscJockey line of cluster jukeboxes, network-attached storage devices that hold arrays of high-performance disc changers in single or multiple enclosures. According to company officials, the device offers the highest disc capacity of a standard jukebox and has a four-to-one or five-to-one ratio of platters to readers for enhanced overall network performance.

StorageTek announces tape-based WORM
StorageTek last month announced VolSafe, reportedly the industry`s first tape-based write-once read-many (WORM) technology. VolSafe targets the securities industry–a market previously limited by SEC regulation to WORM optical.

StraightLine boosts AIT library throughput
Straightline, a manufacturer of automated tape library systems in Bellevue, WA, recently unveiled the SL-8150-10 library, the newest member of its SL-800 family. The SL-8510-10 supports up to 10 AIT-1 (Advanced Intelligent Tape) drives, five more than previous models. The library has a 30MBps transfer rate and a 108GB per hour data storage rate and provides up to 3.75TB of native capacity. Other features include advanced software and an optional bar-code reader. The library can be configured wit

Sun adds high- capacity drives
Sun Microsystems has added 9GB and 18GB disk drives to its StorEdge A1000 and D1000 RAID arrays, which now scale from 16GB to 144GB per tray. With the recently announced StorEdge Expansion Rack, the arrays can scale up to 1.3TB. The A1000 uses controller-based RAID; the D1000 relies on host-based RAID.

Toshiba releases DVD drives
Toshiba recently began shipping three new DVD drives: The SD-M1202 DVD-ROM drive, designed for integration into desktops; the SD-C2102 slim-line DVD-ROM drive for portables; and the SD-W1101, a rewritable DVD-RAM drive.

Western Digital joins Ultra2 SCSI ranks
Western Digital is shipping 3.5-inch 4.55GB and 9.1GB Ultra2 LVD (low voltage differential) drives in its WD Enterprise (WDE) family. Ultra2 SCSI provides a maximum transfer rate of 80MBps, extends cable distance to 12 meters (about 40 feet), and supports up to 16 devices. Integrators can combine Ultra and Ultra2 devices on the same bus. The drives incorporate Symbios? Ultra2 SCSI data controllers. Additional specs include an average seek time of 7.8 milliseconds and a rotational speed of 7,200r

Editorial

Attention Fibre Channel Fans!
If you`ve caught Fibre Channel fever, as we have, you may want to head out to San Jose next month for the first annual Fibre Channel Technologies Conference. See our News section for a preview or go to www.fibreconference.com. They`re promising almost 100 speakers, more than 30 exhibits, and sessions and tutorials on virtually every aspect of the emerging interface.

News

Backup fuels software market growth
With storage management widely viewed as one of the largest IT expenditures, administrators are continuing to turn to storage management software as one way to corral these costs. The need to centralize resources has fueled steady growth in storage management software, according to a recent report from Dataquest, a market research firm in San Jose.

Compaq-Digital #1 in storage
Compaq`s acquisition of Digital Equipment Corp. will bump IBM from its position as the world`s largest vendor of storage systems. According to International Data Corp., a market research firm in Framingham, MA, Compaq and Digital had combined storage revenues of more than $4.9 billion last year.

DVD slow to catch on
It`s no secret that multiple standards have long been a gating factor holding back a potential industry from blooming. For OEMs, VARs, and end-users looking to use today`s DVD technology, they first must wade through an acronym soup of divergent formats before they can spell out what will work best for their application. For that and other reasons, industry analysts such as Dataquest`s Mary Bourdon believe full-scale DVD implementation is still a few years away.

How fast Is Fibre Channel?
While still an emerging technology in terms of actual implementation, Fibre Channel awareness within the storage industry is running high. While Fibre Channel`s ability to support multiple protocols and longer cabling distances are important assets, everybody wants to talk about its speed. After all, this storage/network interconnect can provide data transfer rates of 100MBps, right?

Quantum to buy ATL
Next month, Quantum is expected to complete its acquisition of tape library manufacturer ATL Products, a move seen by industry observers as a solid plan to broaden Quantum`s automated tape business and gain market share in the higher-end sector of the library market. ATL provides mid-range to high-end tape automation libraries. Under the agreement, Quantum will make an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $300 million. If the deal is approved, the Irvine,

Business Briefs

Billionton has agreed to manufacture MARGI Systems? DVD-to-Go PCMCIA card and the DVD/MPEG-2
Billionton has agreed to manufacture MARGI Systems? DVD-to-Go PCMCIA card and the DVD/MPEG-2 playback PC Card, which provides audio and video DVD playback on notebooks. The optional DVD-to-Go PC Card will be integrated into Dell?s Inspiron series of notebook PCs.

Breece Hill Technologies and Tech Data have entered into a distribution pact that permits Tech Data
Breece Hill Technologies and Tech Data have entered into a distribution pact that permits Tech Data to distribute Breece?s DLT tape libraries.

CommVault Systems and Banyan Systems have entered into a $10 million reseller agreement under which
CommVault Systems and Banyan Systems have entered into a $10 million reseller agreement under which Banyan will resell CommVault?s enterprise data protection software for backup and recovery of data across multi-vendor environments.

Emass has signed a product licensing agreement with Philips Laser Magnetic Storage (LMS). Emass
Emass has signed a product licensing agreement with Philips Laser Magnetic Storage (LMS). Emass will offer Philips? new NCTP half-inch cartridge tape drive technology in its automated tape libraries.

EMC will participate in Hewlett-Packard?s O5nines:5minutesO high-availability program for HP 9000
EMC will participate in Hewlett-Packard?s O5nines:5minutesO high-availability program for HP 9000 Enterprise Servers. EMC also announced the availability of HP MetroCluster for EMC Symmetrix Remote Data Facility software. This integrated software is designed to maximize system, application, and file availability in geographically dispersed server clusters and enterprise storage systems.

Invincible Technologies signed a reseller agreement with Hitachi Data Systems (HDS) that will move
Invincible Technologies signed a reseller agreement with Hitachi Data Systems (HDS) that will move Invincible into the high-end arena. The company will resell HDS? Freedom storage subsystem line for data center and distributed environments.

Legato Systems recently announced the availability of NetWorker 5 for UNIX storage management on
Legato Systems recently announced the availability of NetWorker 5 for UNIX storage management on Silicon Graphics? IRIX platforms. Legato will also support SGI?s Challenge and Origin servers.

Meridian Data and CompUSA recently expanded their reseller relationship to include selling
Meridian Data and CompUSA recently expanded their reseller relationship to include selling Meridian?s Snap! Server to CompUSA?s retail stores.

NovaStor and Compaq have agreed to an alliance that calls for Novastor to provide its
NovaStor and Compaq have agreed to an alliance that calls for Novastor to provide its Oonline.backupO Web-based suite of services for small and medium businesses. online.backup incorporates NovaStor?s NovaNet-WEB software, enabling users to back up critical data over

nStor has announced plans to phase out all non-storage-related businesses, including its memory and
nStor has announced plans to phase out all non-storage-related businesses, including its memory and integrated systems divisions. The company will focus on marketing its AIT-based tape arrays and CR8e and CR8j RAID subsystems.

Philips Electronics of the Netherlands and Japan?s Mitsumi Electric are collaborating on a new line
Philips Electronics of the Netherlands and Japan?s Mitsumi Electric are collaborating on a new line of optical storage products. Initial product announcements are expected later this year, with volume manufacturing at Mitsumi factories in the first half of 1999. The first products are expected to be next-generation CD-ReWritable (CD-RW) and DVD-ROM drives.

StorageTek and Innovation Data Processing (IDP) have signed a product integration agreement,
StorageTek and Innovation Data Processing (IDP) have signed a product integration agreement, according to which IDP will use StorageTek?s Virtual DASD Access Kit with its Fast DumpRestore product line for MVS and OS/390. StorageTek also announced that Microsoft has chosen the company?s 9710 and 9714 DLT libraries as backup units for Microsoft?s TerraServer database. The tape libraries will back up the TerraServer?s 1TB SQL Server, Enterprise Edition 7.0 database. Also, StorageTek recently certif

Sun Microsystems and Live Picture Inc. announced a porting and marketing agreement to bring Live
Sun Microsystems and Live Picture Inc. announced a porting and marketing agreement to bring Live Picture?s Image Server solutions to Sun?s workstations and servers. Live Picture?s images are used in retail catalog, on-line auction, stock photography, on-line media publishing, real estate, and travel businesses for Web-based sales and marketing, as well as network-based image asset management. Sun also recently finalized its acquisition of Redcape Policy Software. Sun will integrate Redcape?s Po

Supercom and ICP vortex Corp. signed an OEM deal that calls for ICP?s PCI-SCSI RAID controllers to
Supercom and ICP vortex Corp. signed an OEM deal that calls for ICP?s PCI-SCSI RAID controllers to be incorporated into Supercom?s Touch line of RAID arrays.

The newly formed Storage Performance Council (SPC) will focus on storage performance
The newly formed Storage Performance Council (SPC) will focus on storage performance standardization. Current SPC membership includes Compaq, Microsoft, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Sun, Mylex, Veritas, and Western Digital. Membership is open to companies that manufacture, integrate, or distribute storage products and supporting system components. For more information, visit www.gradientsystems.com/spc.

Vangard Technology announced plans to acquire Dallas Digital Corp. of Plano, TX, and Concorde
Vangard Technology announced plans to acquire Dallas Digital Corp. of Plano, TX, and Concorde Technologies of San Diego, in an effort to expand its distribution presence in the Dallas area and in southern California. Vangard is also offering Certified Fibre Channel Solutions with partners Adaptec, Jaycor Networks, Prisa Networks, StorageTek and Symbios. For more information, visit www.vangard.com.

Veritas Software recently inked distribution pacts with St. Bernard Software and TeleBackup
Veritas Software recently inked distribution pacts with St. Bernard Software and TeleBackup Systems. Veritas will resell St. Bernard?s Open File Manager software. The company will also resell TeleBackup Systems? TSInfoPRO with its NetBackup product, targeting remote PC and laptop users.

Opinion

Tape Media Independence Protects Investments
Industry pundits have been predicting the death of tape as a backup medium for a number of years. However, tape keeps on reinventing itself. New formats, each offering higher throughput and capacity, keep extending the life of this storage device.