Infortrend Adds SAS/iSCSI Host Connectivity to EonStor DS Storage Systems

Infortrend Corporation announced storage systems in its entry-level EonStor DS family featuring hybrid host connectivity of SAS and iSCSI.

Featuring support for remote replication functionality, the new systems help SMB users working with DAS (Direct-Attached Storage) environments improve data protection. In addition, the new hybrid models provide DAS/SAN (Storage Area Network) consolidation.

Protecting data is a critical component of doing business, and DAS storage solutions offer features to meet demand in this area. However, remote replication – a key element of a comprehensive disaster recovery plan – has traditionally been unavailable as DAS solutions do not have the capability to transmit data to remote locations. With the iSCSI ports on Infortrend’s new hybrid models, users can now directly connect their systems to IP networks to send data to a remote replication for secure storage.

For users not requiring remote replication, the new models can be employed for DAS/SAN consolidation. By assigning mission-critical applications to high-performance DAS and secondary applications to IP SAN, users are able to employ their storage infrastructure in the most efficient manner possible and reduce costs.

Thomas Kao, director of product planning at Infortrend, noted: "SMBs working with DAS environments in their datacenters have identified remote replication as a key feature to enhance storage solutions, as remote replication offers a data protection dimension that cannot be achieved by other functions. The new hybrid SAS/iSCSI models in our EonStor DS family deliver this feature at affordable price points, enabling SMBs to implement disaster recovery plans on par with SAN environments."

The new hybrid models feature two 6Gb/s SAS ports and two 1GbE iSCSI ports per controller, and are available in either single-controller or dual-controller configurations. Users can choose between 3U/16-bay models accommodating 3.5" drives or 2U/24-bay models accommodating 2.5" drives.