Emc First-To-Market With Mainframe-Class Storage For Open Systems

Business Wire, Nov 10, 1994

HOPKINTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 10, 1994 -- EMC Corporation's Open Storage Group today announced the first models in its Centriplex Series of Integrated Cached Disk Array (ICDA(R)) storage systems that provide mainframe-class, processor-independent storage for open systems users. The Centriplex Enterprise Series (ES) provides common-pooled storage for virtually every major type of UNIX server and network operating system.

The Centriplex ES is the first storage system to integrate the high performance, cache, capacity and RAID availability associated with high-end mainframe storage systems with the features needed to support today's open systems environments. Providing a scalable storage architecture for open systems, Centriplex gives users the ability to manage information strategically while deploying large-scale client/server applications and distributed computing environments.

"As businesses put more of their critical information on open systems platforms, the need to make sure that data is secure and constantly available is paramount. EMC is now offering IS managers the industry's first mainframe-class storage and storage management solutions to manage that data," said Michael C. Ruettgers, EMC president and CEO. "EMC's experience working with our customers in the data center enables the company to be first to market in delivering a true open storage solution that makes information more manageable, reliable and accessible throughout the enterprise."

EMC also announced that it intends to provide Centriplex Backup in the first half of 1995, providing users with large databases on multiple open systems servers with high-speed backup and restore of information. Centriplex Backup will enhance the Centriplex ES series with high-performance client/server storage management software and will be based on an enhanced version of Epoch Backup from Epoch, Inc., a company acquired in 1993 and now part of EMC's Open Storage Group.

Concurrent Support for Multiple Hosts

"Centriplex is interesting technology that can help organizations that are hitting the wall in terms of developing and deploying client/server applications beyond the department," explained Chet Geschickter, vice president of Hurwitz Consulting Group. "Data acquisition, storage and management are key issues facing companies trying to manage increasingly large heterogeneous computing environments, and for this reason we're seeing more companies that are looking for ways to control high volumes of corporate data. Centriplex's processor-independent architecture and mainframe-class features are strong technologies for organizations looking to coordinate heterogeneous client/server and distributed computing throughout the enterprise."

"Open systems users have been frustrated by the need to purchase and manage proprietary storage subsystems for each processor," said Jeff Allen, vice president of marketing for EMC's Open Storage Group. "EMC is making it possible for customers to tie virtually all of today's major open systems platforms to Centriplex and is breaking the last chains of proprietary systems dependency."

Centriplex utilizes EMC's MOSAIC:2000 architecture, enabling customers to protect their investment in Centriplex by increasing capacity and incorporating the latest technology into existing systems. Up to nine servers can be attached to a single Centriplex cabinet, providing users with up to 432 GB of disk storage or 810 GB with an expansion cabinet, and up to 512 MB of cache memory. Centriplex ES data protection features include user selectable levels of RAID 0, 1 and 5 as well as hot sparing of disks. Its unique design provides for complete user servicing with easy access to components as well as the ability to replace drives and to mix different media such as tape drives in the same cabinet.

The Centriplex Series supports multiple operating systems and network operating systems, including HP/UX, OS/2, AIX, Windows NT, Solaris, SunOS, NetWare, Vines and SVR4. Centriplex also supports SNMP, the interface widely used for network and systems management applications. An easy to use graphical user interface simplifies storage and storage management tasks.

Remote Maintenance

In addition to introducing a new class of storage technology for open systems, EMC is providing the unique service and support that have made its Symmetrix Series of ICDA (R) a mainframe storage leader. Centriplex features a Remote Maintenance Processor that continuously monitors and conducts proactive maintenance. It automatically notifies EMC's Remote Support Center in the event storage system parameters vary from preset levels.

Pricing and Availability

Centriplex ES will be available in limited quantities in the current quarter with volume production beginning in January. Four base configurations are available, from the CX-16-S54 with 54 GB of storage, 32 MB cache and six SCSI channels to the CX16-S360 with 360 GB of storage, 384 MB cache and 16 SCSI channels. List prices range from $215,400 to $948,650.