StorageTek Unveils World's First Multiple Loop Fibre Channel Hub

Strategic Insights -

StorageTek, a leading provider of network storage solutions, has announced the StorageNet Access Hub, a groundbreaking multiple loop Fibre Channel hub that marks a significant milestone in the development of scalable and manageable dedicated storage area networks (SANs). The Access Hub is designed to address the specific performance and management challenges faced by UNIX and Windows NT customers as data storage requirements continue to mount in the enterprise.

Key Takeaways:

  • The StorageNet Access Hub is the world's first multiple loop Fibre Channel hub, providing an aggregate bandwidth of 16 gigabits at a highly competitive price point.
  • The Access Hub supports up to 16 concurrent, full bandwidth 100 megabytes (MB) per second Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loops (FC-ALs), addressing the limitations of traditional hubs that block communication when two nodes are communicating.
  • The Access Hub enables customers to easily reconfigure their storage network under software control, utilizing a Web-based, graphical user interface (GUI) to implement on-the-fly SAN configuration changes.
  • The system can store and implement multiple configurations to adapt the SAN to predictable shifts in storage demand, eliminating the need for physical reconfiguration and reducing costs.
  • The Access Hub delivers demonstrable security benefits through point-and-click segmentation of devices onto specific loops, providing access control and restricting server access to certain devices.
  • The StorageNet Access Hub will be available in September 1998 for less than US$1,000 fully configured, supporting 32 100 MB/sec. full-duplex FC-AL ports with both copper and fibre interfaces.
  • StorageTek's StorageNet family is a complete set of storage area network (SAN) offerings, including channel networking and extension products, SCSI and Fibre Channel interconnect products, and shared storage products.
  • StorageTek is the preeminent provider of network storage, with products and services being used to store, transport, and secure more than 100 petabytes of the world's information.

Statistics:

  • The StorageNet Access Hub provides an aggregate bandwidth of 16 gigabits.
  • The Access Hub supports up to 16 concurrent, full bandwidth 100 MB per second Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loops (FC-ALs).
  • The system can store and implement multiple configurations, enabling customers to adapt their SAN to predictable shifts in storage demand.
  • StorageTek's StorageNet family supports storage area network (SAN) offerings with aggregated bandwidth of up to 16 gigabits.
  • StorageTek's revenue in 1997 was $2.1 billion.
  • StorageTek has reported earnings of $232 million on revenue of $2.1 billion in 1997.

Sources:

  • StorageTek
  • StorageTek's Network Systems Group
  • StorageTek's StorageNet family
  • StorageTek's tape libraries
  • StorageTek's SCSI and native Fibre Channel disk subsystems
  • StorageTek's related SAN connectivity products
  • Major open systems servers and storage devices