52TB SAN in 4U by iQstor

iQstor Networks, Inc., a developer of intelligent and integrated Storage Area Network (SAN) solutions, introduced its next-generation iQ5200 high-density storage array to the public at Supercomputing ‘08, the international conference of high performance computing, networking analysis and storage in Austin, Texas. The new iQstor iQ5200 combines intelligent enterprise-class software features with unparalleled cost-per-terabyte and massive scalability to create new standards for high-density enterprise storage systems.

Built to meet the requirements of businesses with demanding high-capacity environments, the iQstor iQ5200 raises the bar for high-end, high capacity storage systems by delivering up to 52TB (terabytes) of fault tolerant storage capacity in a 4U array. The new iQ5200 is a simple-to-deploy, all-inclusive SAN solution with embedded enterprise-class software features including volume manager-based virtualization, snapshot, volume copy, remote replication, storage provisioning and policy-driven capacity expansion. By leveraging the industry’s highest storage density per rack inch – 13TB per U using 1TB drives – along with the ability to scale up to 1.04 Petabytes under a single management interface, the iQ5200 offers customers an unmatched storage solution to safely and cost-effectively manage their ever growing capacity needs.

“iQstor’s iQ5200 is a complete solution for businesses faced with the very real challenge of managing ever growing capacity demands against shrinking IT budgets,” said Jason Lo, president and CEO of iQstor Networks. “No other storage array available today delivers this level of enterprise features, compact storage density, and ultra-scalable capacity. And, IT managers are sure to be impressed by its ease-of-use and unprecedented value.”

iQstor designed the iQ5200 to meet high availability requirements by incorporating dual active/active controllers with automatic failover, 3+1 redundancy of both fans and power supplies, as well as remote management, monitoring, and notification through the internet. Each RAID controller is configured with four high performance 4Gb/s Fibre Channel ports and four iSCSI Gigabit Ethernet ports with hardware TCP/IP Offload Engines (TOE) and also offers four 4-lane 3Gb/s SAS ports for easy capacity expansion with iQstor’s J5200 SBOD disk enclosure. The advanced architecture of the iQ5200 features a front load design that offers easy access to drives regardless of its placement in a cabinet.

“We expect data growth to continue despite the current global economic climate,” said Brian Babineau, Senior Analyst with Enterprise Strategy Group, a leading IT analyst and consulting firm. “All the current conditions mean is that companies must find a way to cost effectively store all of their information. The iQ5200 is ideal for this type of challenge as customers can save more data in less physical footprint, reducing overall data center expenses.”

This new array provides a reliable, affordable and easy to manage storage platform for consolidating tiered business data and applications such as email, databases, file services and virtual server environments. It can also be deployed as an ideal target for capacity-intensive application such as near-line storage, disk-based backup, security and surveillance, virtual tape libraries, digital archiving and disaster recovery sites.

Pricing and Availability
The iQ5200 storage system with 52TB SATA capacity will have an estimated end-user U.S. price starting at $34,995 and will be available in Q1 of 2009 through iQstor’s network of domestic and international channel partners.