Fujitsu Adds More Virtualization, Scalability to PrimeFlex vShape

Fujitsu is expanding the reach of its PrimeFlex vShape reference architecture, adding new virtualization and backup capabilities and offering a version that is aimed at larger enterprises.

PrimeFlex vShape targets organizations that want to increase the virtualization in their data centers or embrace a private cloud environment. Based on the company’s Primergy servers, the reference architecture offers a highly-scalable package of industry-standard components—such as networking, storage and virtualization—from a range of other vendors. The components and vShape system is validated by Fujitsu as a single solution to ensure everything works well together.

The latest generation of PrimeFlex vShape—version 5.2—Fujitsu officials are now offering customers interested in establishing a desktop virtualization environment two certified options: VMware’s Horizon and Citrix Systems’ XenDesktop virtualization software.

Fujitsu also is now offering extensions to VMware’s vSphere 6.0 software.

The new backup concept for vShape is based on Fujitsu’s Storage Eternus CS200c S2 integrated backup appliance, according to company officials. The appliance’s price includes almost everything businesses need in a backup system, including the hardware, backup software and licenses. It’s a differentiator for the company: most other storage vendors offer the software separate from the hardware, officials said. The company also offers deduplication technology and flexible licensing.

Fujitsu also has expanded the scalability of the PrimeFlex vShape reference architecture. It can now scale from 25 to 2,400 virtual machines and offers different options for server and desktop virtualization, according to Bernhard Brandwitte, vice president of Fujitsu’s Global Storage Business.

“Effective organizations take a holistic approach to virtualization and cloud,” Brandwitte said in a statement. “When it comes to implementing virtual environments, the three key factors are performance, data availability and security. … Fujitsu’s approach to delivering a business-centric infrastructure gives customers flexibility to best meet their unique business requirements.”

He noted that Fujitsu’s vShape offerings have helped some customers grow system performance by 80 percent with zero downtime, while others have lowered operating costs by 40 percent.

The PrimeFlex vShape 5.2 integrated system is available now, and will be demonstrated at the Fujitsu Forum Munich event in Germany Nov. 18 and 19.