NetApp Upgrades its StoreVault S500 for SMBs

Network Appliance is adding new features to its Store Vault S500 storage software, which the company is marketing as a low-cost alternative for small and midsized businesses (SMBs).

These improvements to Network Appliances storage offering will gives SMBs scalability, security and new ways to manage data, the Sunnyvale Calif. company said in a Nov. 20 statement.

This new offering is geared toward SMBs looking for a storage applications that can help with issues such as disaster recovery and off-site backup services, the company said.

“The StoreVault S500 gives SMBs a complete platform for all their network storage needs combined with an enterprise-class replication software,” Sajai Krishan, general manager of Network Appliances StoreVault division, said in a release.

The new S500 adds StoreVaults replication software, which allows users to copy both file and block data between locations.

The replication software works with StoreVault Manager 2.0, which provides users with multiple views of storage volumes and has made improvements to its common internet file system (CIFS) and network file system (NFS).

The updated application also adds Fibre Channel Support, which allows SMB users to focus on their growing storage needs without having to force difficult and costly up-front technology decisions, the company said.

The fibre channel support feature includes a factory-installed host bus adapted (HBA), a 10-port 4GB channel switch and customized software.

This is all part of the StoreVault FC starter kit, which allows users to start with network-attached storage (NAS) or iSCSI storage area network (SAN) and scale to Fibre Channel as their data requirements grow without having to buy a network storage system.