Latest data warehousing products - News Briefs

Communications News, May, 2000

Attached storage

NETWORK-ATTACHED STORAGE (NAS) provides an expandable data storage option for growing networks. The FileZerver attaches to an existing network and can be scaled up to store and retrieve more than 1TB of data. The unit can simultaneously control up to 15 ultra-wide SCSI drives (up to 750 GB) and four EIDE drives (up to 200 GB) on the same network FileZerver supports RAID 0 (striping) and RAID 1 (mirroring), as well as RAID 5 (distributed data and parity). A Linux-based architecture means use of FileZerver will not incur per-seat license charges. Administrators can create and manage application or user-specific storage pools with unique RAID protection levers, user access rights, and backup strategies. FileZerver provides cross-platform support by offering client access via Windows, HTTP, and Unix. The unit is available as either a sled to be integrated in a tower, or a board version for 19" rack mount.

--Microtest

www.microtest.com

Circle 323 for more information

Faster backups

REMOTE STORAGE SOFTWARE for Microsoft Exchange reduces backup and recovery times of Exchange servers. VERITAS Remote Storage for Microsoft Exchange (RSE) software is designed to minimize storage space on Exchange servers by automatically moving older message attachments within Exchange databases to a secondary storage device, such as a tape drive or library. Integrated with VERITAS Software's market-leading backup products, VERITAS RSE allows administrators to create policies that determine when, how and which attachments are to be managed per Exchange server. The size of Exchange databases may shrink by as much as 50%, while Exchange clients retain complete access to all of the message attachments that have been moved. Included is a tool that evaluates what percentage of the database is composed of attachments vs. message text, as well as the age and size of the attachments. A "what if" scenario provides the opportunity to visualize what databases would look like based on the implementation of different policies prior to actually implementing those changes.

--VERITAS Software

www.veritas.com

Circle 327 for more information

Workgroup file serving

NETWORK ATTACHED STORAGE product line is designed to fill the void between Enterprise NAS File servers and entry-level EIDE solutions. The RAIDserver V12 offers powerful, scalable, simultaneous access network file-sharing services for both NT and UNIX clients. Up to 24 Ultra2 LVD drives arE, supported, providing fault tolerant storage with options that include RAID 0,1,10 and 5 data protection, as well as full-featured Web-based network backup services. The RAIDserver V utilizes the 64-bit PowerPC 750 CPU with 1 MB L@ cache, 18MB Flash, and from 64 to 512 MB RAM. Other hardware features include two Ultra2 LVD SCSI channels, two 10/100 Ethernet channels, and two serial ports. Integrated Web-managed tape backup services support full, incremental, and custom backup. The RAIDserver V12 employs a familiar, browser-based interface for Web-based management.

--Raidtec Corp.

www.raidtec.com

Circle 322 for more information

High-performance SAN attachment

SAN-BASED LAN-FREE BACKUP improves backup performance and LAN operations by relocating backup data traffic off the conventional LAN and onto a dedicated, high-speed storage network. Overland Data Inc. introduces the SANPiper SCSI-to-Fibre-Channel bridge, bringing the benefits of SAN technology to users of Overland's line of tape libraries and autoloaders. SANPiper gives companies easy access to fibre-based SANs and new SAN-based applications, including LAN-free and server-free backup. SANPiper provides up to four SCSI connections and up to six independent Fibre-Channel ports with support for single-ended and differential SCSI and copper, short- and long-wave Fibre-Channel interfaces. SANPiper supports all major backup software, including Legato, Veritas, and Computer Associates, and is fully compliant with the Storage Networking Industry Association's extended copy specifications. The SANPiper solution also includes advanced management capabilities, including support for logical unit number (LUN) zoning and LUN masking, providing the access control tools required for shared storage environments among multiple heterogeneous hosts. SANPiper is available in two models: the Model 400 provides one or two Fibre-Channel ports and two SCSI connections, while the Model 1000 features a maximum configuration of six Fibre-Channel connections and four SCSI ports. Both models are available in rack-mount and tabletop configurations.

--Overland Data

www.overlanddata.com

Circle 324 for more information

E-commerce with existing data

INTEGRATE E-COMMERCE with back-office and decision support applications and data. Evolutionary Technologies International's new ETI*EXTRACT 4.1 offers the ability to automate the generation and maintenance of interfaces to legacy systems such as IMS and COBOL VSAM, and generate code that interfaces to message systems such as IBM's MQSeries, for the near real-time data exchange between applications required to support e-customers. ETI*EXTRACT can help manage data integration, including batch, legacy, near real-time, and clickstream. Enhancements in release 4.1 include the ability to control user access to objects in the MetaStore, ETI's internal repository, as well as improved capabilities for exchanging information across multiple MetaStores. System administrators can provide security levels that keep, for example, contractors installing an e-application from knowing any more about the organization's databases and data warehouses than what they need to get the job done. ETI*EXTRACT retains a metadata audit trail of what was done in installing and integrating any application so that organizations can quickly determine the impact of any proposed change and properly manage the integration of e-commerce applications with existing data libraries.