Fujitsu Siemens Computers introduces the FibreCAT SX80 iSCSI (Internet Computer System Interface), a new model in its FibreCAT SX online storage solution product range. The system uses the standard IP infrastructure that many companies are already equipped with as the connection to the server to offer a more economically priced, high-performance alternative for setting up a Storage Area Network (SAN) than via a separate fibre channel (FC) network. The FibreCAT SX80 iSCSI will be available from the Fujitsu Siemens Computers channel partners starting July 1, 2008.



The FibreCAT SX80 iSCSI is equipped with a controller that the company developed and optimized specifically for iSCSI. This is an attractively priced opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises in particular to begin using a SAN. A standard IP infrastructure not only simplifies network administration, the IP components required are also less expensive than the corresponding fibre channel modules. With a 1 GB cache per controller and a data transmission rate of 1 Gigabit per second per port, the new model is very powerful. If the network is configured optimally, it easily can keep up with the FibreCAT SX80 fibre channel model in terms of messaging and database applications. Another good choice is to use server virtualization solutions such as VMware since data consolidation takes place externally . In addition, the integrated iSCSI boot functionality makes the FibreCAT SX80 iSCSI an attractive, valuable storage system for the x10sure clustering solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises.

“Users can now combine the functionalities of our FibreCAT SX storage systems such as high scalability and availability with the advantage of iSCSI,” says Dr. Helmut Beck, Vice President Storage Business at Fujitsu Siemens Computers. “The FibreCAT SX80 iSCSI satisfies the storage needs of many small to medium-sized enterprises - it can be used anywhere the costs do not justify a fibre channel network and a storage network would clearly provide added value.”

The FibreCAT SX80 iSCSI online storage system has a capacity of up to 56 TB. Like all the models in the FibreCAT SX systems, it boasts of cutting-edge storage technology such as integrated snapshots and redundant components. The RAID controllers, fans and power supply are hot swappable. In addition, two technologies developed by Fujitsu Siemens Computers provide for even greater availability (FibreCap) and reliable data access (FibreCache). The FibreCAT SX80 iSCSI is certified for Windows 2003/2008, VMware ESX 3.x, x10sure, Microsoft Cluster MSCS, SuSE SLES 9 and 10 and RedHAT.