Features - Storage Innovations:

WINCHESTER SYSTEMS ANNOUNCES LATEST FlashDisk OpenSAN

Winchester Systems Inc, a data storage solutions company, introduced new data storage arrays capable of scaling to 200TB while accommodating both Fibre Channel primary data storage and SATA secondary storage within the same physical storage array. This new storage array is designed for midrange and enterprise data storage environments requiring high capacity, or the ability to seamlessly support both primary and secondary data storage simultaneously.

"FlashDisk OpenSAN uses the advanced data storage architecture from Winchester Systems featuring a modular design that provides enterprise level scalability and unmatched configuration flexibility," stated Jan Sutton, product marketing manager. "As higher data storage capacity needs or the addition of new servers become necessary with the growth of a customer's business, OpenSAN can be field upgraded and easily configured without downtime by simply adding a few key modular components. With the latest SATA enclosure chassis from Winchester Systems, they can scale to 200TB from a single unit. There is no need to purchase more data storage or host connectivity than is necessary to meet today's requirements. Users have the flexibility to start small and 'pay-as-you-grow'."

The latest FlashDisk OpenSAN versions are available in two models: the FX-500, 8-port configuration and the FX-700, 12-port configuration. Both data storage arrays provide dual RAID controller configurations, and double the maximum data storage capacity of the existing FX-400 and FX-600 storage arrays. Designed for versatility, the FX-500 supports up to 480 disk drives providing up to 120 terabytes of secondary SATA storage, while the FX-700 scales to 200TB with 800 disk drives. Both units can simultaneously support high capacity 250GB SATA drives for secondary data storage applications such as disk-to-disk backup or near line storage, and high performance Fibre Channel drives for mission critical primary data storage needs. Both deliver performance well-suited to database, OLTP, manufacturing, multimedia, financial, imaging, prepress, e-mail, Web server and other disk intensive tasks.

FlashDisk OpenSAN supports switched fabric, point-to-point and loop topologies and is compatible with any server or operating system, with no requirement for host software drivers. The addition of external Fibre Channel switching allows the FX-500 and FX-700 to operate in fully redundant failover configurations for the maximum in data availability and protection.

Included with every data storage solution is the FlashConsole appliance, providing complete centralized management using any browser-based workstation on the LAN. FlashAlert, a 24-hour "call-home" remote monitoring and alert service is also included for one year. Together, FlashConsole and FlashAlert provide a common storage management facility for the complete line of data storage solutions from Winchester Systems.