4 Storage Virtualization Products That Offer Thin Provisioning

By Fahmida Y. Rashid, Joseph F. Kovar, ChannelWeb

5:00 PM EST Fri. Jan. 18, 2008
From the January 21, 2008 issue of CRN Tech
Page 5 of 5

SEVEN KEY PLAYERS IN STORAGE VIRTUALIZATION

COMPANY: Compellent
Eden Prairie, Minn.
(952) 294-3300
www.compellent.com

KEY PRODUCT: The Compellent Storage Center SAN delivers automated tiered block storage, thin provisioning, and continuous snapshots through the QuickStart ILM bundle. This SAN supports both iSCSI and Fibre Channel. The solution consists of a controller and a rack enclosure. The software works only on Compellent hardware. The solution also allows remote application over IP.

CHANNEL POINTS: All Compellent partners receive MDF, deal registration and protection and training. Partners can offer "repetitive" revenue" opportunities such as upgrades and adding capacity. There are fees associated with training. Compellent does not sell through distributors. For technical support, partners can provide their own service programs or bundle Compellent Copilot Technical Support Services.

COMPANY: EMC
Hopkinton, Mass.
(508) 435-1000
www.emc.com

KEY PRODUCT: Both the multiprotocol Celerra NS20 and the enhanced Celerra NS40 systems can simultaneously connect to multiple types of storage networks (iSCSI, Fibre Channel, and NAS). Automated volume management with thin provisioning capabilities ensures that storage capacity can be allocated quickly, with only a few mouse clicks. EMC said the rest of the product line would support thin provisioning in 2008.

CHANNEL POINTS: There are four tiers in the program with more than 1,800 registered partners in North America. There are no fees to join, but partners have to meet annual revenue targets and technical certification requirements. Partners have access to low-interest financing, SPIFs, rebates, deal registration, loaner and demo units, price protection plans, discount promotions, tiered discounts and MDF.

COMPANY: EqualLogic
Nashua, N.H.
(603) 579-9762
www.equallogic.com

KEY PRODUCT: EqualLogic PS3900XV storage array's thin provisioning capability offers safety controls and flexibility. The buy-as-you-grow product also automates the functions needed to configure, manage, and scale storage. Thin provisioning can be turned on and off on the volume when needed. The PS Series supports user-defined threshold alarms and space allocation controls.

CHANNEL POINTS: Preferred channel partners are required to have at least $200,000 a year in revenue, one certified sales person and one certified technical person on staff, and purchase a demo unit. In return, EqualLogic offers preferred partners a 90-Day Deal Registration Protection program, MDF, access to marketing and sales tools and direct priority technical support.

COMPANY: FalconStor
Melville, N.Y.
(631) 777-5188
www.falconstor.com

KEY PRODUCT: FalconStor Network Storage Server is a software solution that works with iSCSI and Fibre Channel SANs as well as with a NAS. Along with thin provisioning capabilities, NSS also provides heterogeneous storage management. The data snapshots taken by the built-in FalconStor TimeMark functionality can be used to for data protection and recovery

CHANNEL POINTS: Premier channel partners are required to have annual revenue of $350,000 to $750,000 from FalconStor product sales. A minimum of two employees must become fully certified in at least one FalconStor solution. In return, Elite partners can make more money through rebates, based on quarterly business growth and stretch goals. The company also offers sales support and marketing tools. Premier partners may also be eligible for MDF, based on review.

COMPANY: Hitachi Data Systems
Santa Clara, Calif.
(408) 970-1000
www.hds.com

KEY PRODUCT: The Universal Storage Platform V features software capable of managing a pool of virtualized storage capacity up to 247 Pbytes. USP V can also create large logical storage pools, allowing hundreds of disk drives to simultaneously operate on a single I/O request. The USP V is a unified storage product with thin provisioning enabled by a license key.

CHANNEL POINTS: With three tiers and about 525 registered North American partners, Hitachi Data Systems offers low-interest financing, SPIFs, rebates, deal registration and MDF to partners. While there is no fee to join the program, partners must meet annual revenue targets and technical certification requirements. Partners must also have a technology specialty and vertical market expertise.

COMPANY: NetApp
Sunnyvale, Calif
(408) 822-6000
www.netapp.com

KEY PRODUCT: NetApp's V3000 series can have capacity as high as 250 Tbytes and can deliver across both the SAN and NAS. The company's Data ONTAP operating system has a FlexVol feature that creates volumes that can be readily expanded or contracted and conserves capacity by avoiding over-provisioning.

CHANNEL POINTS: NetApp partners fall into the following tiers: Star, Platinum Elite, Platinum, Gold, and Authorized. While there is no fee to join the program, each level has its own revenue and training requirements. Partners are encouraged to have a technology specialty and vertical market expertise. Partners can download training and marketing resources and register deals through the portal.

COMPANY: Pillar Data
San Jose, Calif
(408) 503-4000
www.pillardata.com

KEY PRODUCT: Startup Pillar Data's Axiom series feature SAN and NAS in a single platform. The low-cost solution provides multi-tiered application-specific quality of service on a single storage pool.

CHANNEL POINTS: While there is no fee for partners to join the two-tier program, partners should have a technology specialty, be able to meet annual revenue targets and obtain technology certification. Existing Data Storage certifications may be accepted. The company also has a Pillar Executive VAR Council. Pillar Data Systems offer presales and postsales support and technical support.

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