Storage Web Digest: New Controllers Enable Smarter SANs

Enterprise Storage

SNIA Makes Storage Management Spec Public

The Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA) this week introduced the first complete version of the Storage Management Initiative Specification (SMI-S Version 1.0). SMI-S backers hope to use the open standard API to eventually integrate large, diverse multi-vendor storage networks. The specification was called Bluefin for more than a year.

Read the full story on:InternetNews.com

New Controllers Enable Smarter SANs

PMC-Sierra this week introduced a family of intelligent Fibre Channel port-bypass controllers (PBCs). The PM8368 and PM8372 combine PMC-Sierras mixed-signal, cross-connect, SerDes, and 2-Gbit Fibre Channel capabilities to enable more intelligent and lower-cost storage area networks (SANs) than was previously possible, according to Mark Stibitz, vice president and general manager of the companys Enterprise and Storage Division in Santa Clara, Calif. “Today people are using port-bypass controllers that dont have a linking and system diagnostics capability,” Stibitz said. “We believe were adding a great deal of intelligence to storage system design.”

Read the full story on: EBN

Personal Storage

Plextor CD-RW Drive Can Pack More Data

Plextor this week announced a new CD-RW drive that can squeeze 40 percent more data into standard discs. According to the company, its PlexWriter Premium drive can store 980MB of data on a 700MB disc, and 1.2GB when using the long-play 99-minute, 880MB disc. Users can tap the extra compression via the GigaRec option in the bundled PlexTools Professional software.

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Storage Business

Quantum, Storagetek Trade Legal Salvos

Quantum and Storage Technology (StorageTek) exchanged patent infringement lawsuits this week, accusing each other of manufacturing tape drive products that infringe on the others patented technologies. Quantum in a statement said it filed a lawsuit first, and accused StorageTek of engaging in “the unlawful manufacture and sale within the United States of tape and tape drive products that infringe two separate Quantum patents.” StorageTek retaliated, accusing Quantum of unlawfully manufacturing and selling Super DLT tape drive products that infringe on two StorageTek patents.

Read the full story on:InfoWorld