News

posted on 04 August 2008 15:25

Pillar Data has added application-aware storage templates to its entry-level Axiom 300 array and positioned it as a small/medium enterprise storage system.

The Axiom 300, originally launched in October 2006, offers 5 to 52TB of storage capacity using 500GB or 1B hard drives. It can be presented either as network-attached storage (NAS) or as either iSCSI or Fibre Channel block-level storage.

The enhanced Axiom ONE software, first made available on the Axiom 600, enables the storage service level quality to be matched to particular application profiles using pre-existing templates which optimize Axiom's placement of data, I/O bandwidth and other aspects of the array to deliver the best service to applications such as Oracle or Exchange.

Pillar says the Axiom 300 enables its channel and reseller partners the opportunity to offer a storage system with enterprise capabilities for mid-sized businesses. Some of the features include:

- Eighty percent disk utilisation: the highest in the industry according to Pillar, which says that costs are reduced and utilisation rates increase when multiple applications and tiers of storage are consolidated into one single platform, while maintaining effective Quality of Service (QoS).

- Thin provisioning: increasing utilization of storage hardware and easier provisioning with less disruption to users/applications.

- Pre-configured and user-customisable profiles: allowing administrators to optimize the arrays for specific applications such as:-

---- Oracle: databases running Automatic Storage Manager (ASM) and Axiom storage deliver leading performance while providing an easy-to-use management environment

---- Exchange: the Axiom 300 supports all Exchange requirements without the need for disparate, multiple platforms.

---- VMware: Pillar’s architecture helps facilitate 50 percent more virtual machines than any other storage system in this price band.

Curt Wittich, Worldwide Sales VP at Pillar, said: "We’re confident no other storage system on the market today rivals the Axiom 300 in terms of value, performance, functionality and efficiency. We listened to what our VAR partners were asking of us, and the Axiom 300 is an answer to their requests. This is an ideal platform for the SME customer, and we look forward to working with our VARs and channel partners to offer this robust, Application-Aware enterprise array for smaller companies with enterprise needs.”

Accredited Pillar partners that are Registered Service Providers can now provide professional services for the Axiom 300.

The Axiom 300 is currently available worldwide, through both Pillar and authorised channel partners. The starting list price for the Axiom 300 is $35K (roughly ₤17K.)

Certified for Windows Server 2008

The Pillar Axiom family, including the Axiom 300, recently received the Certified for Windows Server 2008 designation. The Axiom 300 is now certified for Windows Server 2008 x64, Windows Server 2008 x86, and Windows Server 2008 IA64 Certified for Windows.

^{[Martin Edwards, news writer.]}