Sprint, Cisco, Hitachi Testing Data Replication Over IP Networks

That is a significant improvement over existing remote replication using FCIP, which typically tops out at distances of between 37 and 45 miles, according to Audrey Harman, manager of technical staff at Sprint's Concept Realization Center.

The test was conducted at the center using an FCIP connection from the Sprint lab in Overland Park, Kan., to optical cross-connect devices at Sprint's lab in Burlingame, Calif., to create a loop back to the Overland Park lab, simulating a point-to-point connection of 3,600 miles, the company said.

The link was created using Sprint circuits, Cisco MDS 9000 SAN switches with Cisco MDS 9000 IP Storage modules, and Hitachi Freedom Storage Lightning 9900 V Series with Hitachi TrueCopy data-replication software.

"We are giving customers the flexibility to leverage lower-cost IP transmissions for business continuity and disaster recovery, without adding fiber to their premises," Harman said. "They can now replicate data at significantly longer distances and have that managed by us."