Big Fish for Fusion-io: Cisco

Fusion-io, Inc. has entered into an OEM relationship with Cisco Systems, Inc.

Through the new relationship, Fusion ioMemory will be architected into the Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) Server to amplify in-server performance in all UCS B-series blade servers.

"The next wave of enterprise IT will be driven by productivity. In addition to demanding lower IT costs, customers also require elevated performance and flexibility. Cisco UCS is meeting these customer requirements through an innovative approach to computing systems," said Paul Perez, CTO, Data Center Group at Cisco. "We are developing the next generation of fabric computing and customers recognize Fusion-io as a market leader in flash technology for the enterprise. With its strong track record of reliability and unique cut-through architecture, Fusion ioMemory will amplify the power of Cisco UCS Blade Servers to provide scalable application acceleration for Cisco customers."

The UCS is a data center solution that unites compute, network, storage access, and virtualization into a system designed to reduce TCO and increase business agility. With low latency ioMemory architected into UCS blade servers, storage performance can be decoupled from capacity through the integration of a powerful new memory tier designed to accelerate applications.

"Enterprises trust Cisco to provide extremely reliable, innovative solutions that meet their current computing needs while anticipating future growth," said David Flynn, Fusion-io CEO and chairman. "Cisco’s outstanding engineering team will not accept any performance compromises for its blade server customers. Whether information technology professionals need to support enterprise applications or virtualization, we’re proud to help Cisco deliver on customer expectations of nothing but exceptional technology."

The initial ioMemory products for UCS B-series Blade Servers will be based on the ioMemory2 platform and are expected to ship later this year.