iStor Networks, Inc. is shipping the iS512-10G, a 10 gigabit model of the iS512 integraStor storage system, the world’s fastest scalable iSCSI storage array optimized for small and medium businesses. Based on iStor’s purpose built 10Gbps iSCSI ASIC, the iS512-10G is iStor’s second generation 10 GbE iSCSI storage array.
 
As the speed of servers in storage deployments grow, so does the need for high performance storage. The iS512-10G, with native 10Gbps architecture supporting full duplex wire speed data rates in excess of 1,100 Mbytes/sec, is poised to take full advantage of this market trend.  Today, 10GbE is 2.5 times faster and significantly less expensive than 4G Fibre Channel. 10 GbE SAN deployment is enabled by the availability of 10G switches that can support multiple one gigabit Ethernet connections to servers when required, thus optimizing and consolidating bandwidth at the storage device, while preserving the existing server infrastructure.
 
"Although 1GbE is the customary network interface today, and well established in most SMB environments, the mass- adoption of 10GbE is close to – or maybe at – a tipping-point." said Mark Peters, Analyst at Enterprise Strategy Group. "The cost per Gbps of 10GbE ports is dropping below that for 1GbE ports and signals that the shift to the newer technology can happen. iStor saw the market value of 10GbE early on and has already been shipping the capability for a couple of years, allowing its users to make the transition from 1GbE networks to 10GbE networks whenever they are ready."
 
Major drivers of the transition to 10GbE are server consolidation driven by virtualization, as well as storage consolidation driven by the proliferation of Storage Area Networks. Early adopters of technologies such as Video and VoIP are already realizing the benefits of 10GbE, and as more 10GbE backbones are deployed, the advantages of 10GbE performance will be attainable for small to medium enterprises as well.
 
“It is important to consider accommodating the transition from 1GbE networks to 10GbE networks over the life of an IP SAN implementation,” said Robert Friend, Director of Product Marketing, iStor Networks. “Since iStor’s 1GbE and 10GbE solutions share the same unified architecture and software, the transition from 1GbE to 10GbE with iStor eliminates technical risks of upgrading storage, with the additional benefit of protecting your original investment.”
 
iStor has developed its business by providing flexible, high-performance, easy-to-use iSCSI storage. Offering the 10GbE host interface in a scalable deployment now benefits customers with affordable storage for robust high performance solutions, which is essential to small and medium businesses as they migrate to server virtualization to solve their performance, power, and floor space problems.
 
The iS512-10G features a choice of 10 gigabit interfaces. Initial shipments commenced in June 2008.