Fujitsu Expands, Re-brands Storage Business

Tokyo-based technology giant Fujitsu announced an expansion of its global storage portfolio under a re-branded name, Eternus, and introduced two entry-level Redundant Array of Independent Disks storage systems. The new storage systems offer features such as reduced power consumption, simplified management and improved redundancy.

The company's CentricStor virtual tape system and the FibreCAT TX entry-level tape systems have been renamed Eternus CS and Eternus LT, respectively. The entry-level DX60 and DX80 storage systems will be available worldwide from Fujitsu America and partners starting July 1, with entry configurations starting under $6,000.
The two models have redundant components and the DX60 offers 4 Gigabit-per-second fiber channel (FC) technology, while the DX80 offers 4 or 8 Gigabit-per-second FC capability. Both systems include the EcoMode function, based on MAID (Massive Array of Idle Disks) technology, that allows disks that are no longer needed, such as disks planned for daily backups, to be shut down to conserve energy.

The systems will succeed the FibreCAT SX60 and SX80 and the Eternus2000 systems. The DX models have four ports and can connect to as many as 128 servers in SAN (storage area network) mode. Currently, these models are equipped with a FC interface, but they will also be available with iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface) and SAS interfaces in the near future.

Richard Villars, vice president of storage systems and IT strategies at research firm IDC, said today's midmarket needs an IT partner that delivers a broad range of storage solutions to facilitate rapid data growth and quickly evolving information management needs. "The globalization of Fujitsu's storage portfolio under the Eternus brand will allow the company to more effectively deliver a broad set of storage, backup and data protection solutions to its customers around the world," he said.

The DX60 and DX80 protect the integrity of data on the disk and in the cache with Data Block Guard, a function that detects data corruption. Both systems have a CacheProtector feature that writes the contents of the RAID controller cache to flash memory if a power outage occurs. The systems also have a "Redundant Copy" function, which reacts at the first signs of a disk failure and copies the disk in question automatically.

The DX series is also equipped with SAS and Nearline SAS disk drives that Fujitsu says this offers an extensive set of data management options, where data can be saved on the best medium according to the service levels involved to meet requirements such as cost, speed, access time and lifespan. Solid state drives will be available later this year, the company said.

"The new Eternus DX systems offer our channel partners and our SME clients data-center quality, reliability and flexibility out of the box," said Fujitsu America's senior vice president of storage Dave Egan. "Popularity in North America has helped propel the Eterus name into a global brand, and we are pleased to unify the Fujitsu global storage portfolio under that name."