Dell Starts to Sell EqualLogic iSCSI Systems

Just days after closing its EqualLogic acquisition, Dell begins worldwide delivery of next-generation iSCSI, storage area network (SAN) arrays – the Dell EqualLogic PS5000 Series.

“We are committed to simplifying IT and EqualLogic will help us realize that vision for our customers worldwide,” said Michael Dell, chairman and CEO, Dell. “Together, Dell and EqualLogic will deliver storage and server virtualization solutions that enable customers of any size to build resilient, flexible datacenters.”

Dell EqualLogic PS5000 Series storage arrays share a revolutionary architecture to serve as the backbone of virtual datacenters. This dynamic architecture can deliver advanced storage functionality, simultaneous scaling of performance with capacity and enterprise-class management for one upfront price – eliminating upsells and hidden licensing fees. Using the iSCSI interconnect, the Dell EqualLogic architecture creates a flexible, virtualized environment for dynamic volume creation and movement, thin provisioning, scalability, remote replication, and easy interoperability within any IP-based datacenter.

“Networked storage has been too complex for too long. Dell EqualLogic helps solve that problem,” said Darren Thomas, vice president and general manager. “This is virtualized, consolidated storage that is self-managing, affordable and easy to use, regardless of scale. We’re automating complex tasks, enabling fast and flexible provisioning while seamlessly integrating into the existing IT network. That’s simplifying IT and this is the future of storage.”

According to IDC, shipments of iSCSI-based storage solutions will increase 138 percent annually over the next five years. “This is twice the growth we’re seeing in the worldwide disk storage systems market,” said Benjamin Woo, vice president, Enterprise Storage Systems at IDC. “Customers are turning to iSCSI as an easier way to integrate and manage their datacenter environments. With its investment in EqualLogic and the expansion of its overall storage portfolio, Dell is clearly positioning itself to go after this trend.”

Dell EqualLogic PS5000 Series Series Attributes

iSCSI Interconnectivity – utilizes the IP protocol to enable fully virtualized storage arrays and storage networks that work seamlessly in the IP datacenter.
Virtualization in the Array – built-in virtualization architecture provides extensive flexibility, intelligent automation of routine processes and on-the-fly performance optimization that responds to application demands.
Modular Scalability – each modular storage array is a complete SAN; as arrays are added to a group, storage performance grows linearly, network bandwidth expands and the group continues to behave as one virtual SAN.
Advanced Storage Management – built-in enterprise-class storage management capabilities, including remote replication and thin provisioning.
Configurable for Capacity/Performance – configure each array for the desired ratio of capacity to performance; create multiple tiers of SAS and SATA-based storage in a single SAN, and optimize each tier for the applications it serves.

System pricing begins at $19,000 (US).

Starting today, the Dell EqualLogic PS5000 Series storage arrays will be sold through Dell channel partners as well as Dell’s direct sales force worldwide. Dell’s PartnerDirect program is designed to provide channel partners the tools they need to be successful selling Dell EqualLogic storage along with Dell’s complete lineup of datacenter solutions.

Current EqualLogic partners will be enrolled into PartnerDirect and eligible for Dell’s newest partner certification – Enterprise Architecture.

Dell Inc.

EqualLogic

Comments

Michael Dell is a big fan of iSCSI. He is not alone. He likes the simplicity and the lower cost of this storage SAN solution compared to FC. The PC manufacturer designed its own Powervault MD3000i entry-level iSCSI with up to 45 SAS or SATA drive or up to 18TB for a starting price of $5,649 with one 3GB HDD. But Dell had nothing at the enterprise level. Partner EMC (until 2011) can only offer multi-protocol and more expansive units, which explains the $1.4 billion acquisition of EqualLogic by Dell.

Few days after the deal was completed, the company is ready to sell EqualLogic lines and even announced a new PS5000 generation for up to 512 hosts starting at $19,000 or at Euro 19,699 - a big difference just to cross the Atlantic. The advantages of this solution: easy to install (we saw a demo lasting around ten minutes) and to grow, a lot of bundled software (replication, snapshot, thin provisioning, load balancing, etc), and an excellent integration with server virtualization from VMware. There are three versions of the new configuration using now only 16-bay (and not 12) arrays in RAID 10, 5 and 50 (no RAID 6): the PS5000E for capacity (up to 192TB) with SATA drives only, the PS5000XV (up to 57.6TB with 15,000rpm SAS HDDs) for performance, and the PS5000X (up to 76.8TB on 10,000rpm SAS HDDs) between them.

Dell intends to continue to work with the current EqualLogic's distributors that can complement current Dell's storage channel as they are generally more involved in server virtualization and network than in pure storage.

According to an EMEA executive, Dell records revenues of $2.5 billion in storage for its fiscal year ending last January. He added that EqualLogic has currently 3,500 customers for 7,000 arrays. IDC estimates at 24% the share of EqualLogic in the worldwide iSCSI market in 2007, at the third place behind NetApp and EMC, with a projection of 31% for this year, all these figures being given by Dell.