At its Dell Storage Forum customer and partner event, Dell recently announced new solutions built on its Fluid Data Architecture to optimize cost, performance and protection as storage scales with a growing organization.
New solutions include its first unified Dell EqualLogic platform, updated Dell EqualLogic software capabilities, a Dell Compellent demonstration of 16Gbps Fibre Channel, and the introduction of Fibre Channel on its PowerVault product line.
The EqualLogic FS7500 adds scalable network-attached storage (NAS) capability to the EqualLogic product line. The EqualLogic FS7500 uses the Dell Scalable File System, a clustered file system based on Dell intellectual property. The EqualLogic FS7500 will be shipping in the third quarter of 2011.
EqualLogic software version 5.1 provides significant enhancements for iSCSI networking via Data Center Bridging (DCB) support. Additional enhancements provide improved performance via automated load-balancing and enhanced integration with VMware environments.
The EqualLogic firmware release 5.1 will be available for download from the EqualLogic support site in the third quarter of 2011. EqualLogic software is included in the cost of the array. Customers with a valid Dell ProSupport agreement can download software updates without paying additional license fees.
The PowerVault MD3600f storage arrays provide 8Gb Fibre Channel connectivity while upholding the common hardware and software features in the PowerVault MD32x0/36 x0 series of arrays. They will be available June 14, 2011.