EqualLogic's PS Series is First Networked Storage Array to Achieve Microsoft's Simple SAN for Windows Server Designation

Business Wire, Oct 25, 2005

NASHUA, N.H. -- Microsoft Simple SAN for Windows Server Program Acknowledges EqualLogic's Leadership in Delivering Enterprise-Class iSCSI SAN Solutions That Are Easy to Deploy and Manage

EqualLogic, a leading provider of complete, intelligent iSCSI storage area network (SAN) solutions, announced today that its PS Series is the first networked storage array to achieve Microsoft's Simple SAN for Windows Server designation. Microsoft created the Simple SAN program to identify networked storage products that eliminate the traditional cost and complexity of SAN implementation and integrate with the storage management capabilities of the Windows Server 2003 platform.

"Microsoft's Simple SAN initiative is a natural fit for EqualLogic, which was founded on the premise of simplifying and automating storage networking," said John Joseph, vice president of marketing for EqualLogic. "The PS Series was developed to deliver a simpler, better SAN that offers the benefits of storage consolidation to companies of all sizes, particularly in the midrange."

Since its founding in 2001, EqualLogic, a certified Microsoft Gold Partner, has been at the forefront of iSCSI SAN deployments in Windows environments, thus making EqualLogic's Simple SAN designation a straightforward process. EqualLogic's PS Series family is fully compatible with Windows Server platforms and is designed to complement Microsoft's storage technologies such as Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS), Multi-Path Input/Output (MPIO) and Virtual Disk Service (VDS). EqualLogic's support of the Microsoft Simple SAN for Windows Server program is a logical extension of the company's partnership with Microsoft in developing iSCSI SAN solutions, including the installation of several PS Series arrays in Microsoft's laboratories for iSCSI software development and testing. The PS Series is one of the iSCSI storage systems fully compatible with the Microsoft iSCSI Software Architecture, and EqualLogic fully supports the latest version of the Microsoft iSCSI Software Initiator.

"Large enterprises using Fibre Channel SANs have been the sole benefactors of moving storage directly to the network," said Dr. Claude Lorenson, group product manager of the Windows Server Division at Microsoft Corporation. "Using IP technology, EqualLogic has long embraced the principles of Simple SAN and has been active in the development of solutions that integrate fully with Microsoft applications. Microsoft is pleased to be working with EqualLogic to bring Windows Server customers highly scalable storage resource allocation, high-efficiency backup solutions, and better storage utilization.''

About the Microsoft Simple SAN for Windows Server Program:

To successfully reduce complexity, each component of the SAN solution must contribute to the overall goal of a simplified customer experience. Using the SAN-friendly Windows Server 2003 platform of storage technologies, Microsoft is working with partners like EqualLogic to help drive the creation of simple SAN solutions for Windows Server 2003 users. Microsoft is helping to drive SAN simplification for users of Windows Server by:

--Ensuring interoperability with the storage capabilities in the Windows platform. Windows Server 2003 has built-in support for SANs. By providing technical support and Plugfest assistance, hardware interoperability in Windows Server improves.

--Working to simplify hardware setup. By reducing setup complexity of the individual SAN components, the potential for incorrectly configuring the SAN is reduced. Simplifying setup documentation is a part of this effort.

--Helping customers to make an informed decision about SAN purchases. By introducing the Simple SAN for Windows Server Program, Microsoft provides a vehicle to channel SAN hardware solutions, like the PS Series, that are simple and easily deployed. Customers who want help with putting together a SAN can see which vendors are committed to simplifying SANs and then make their purchase decisions accordingly.

EqualLogic's award-winning and data-center-proven PS Series is the only native iSCSI SAN solution to offer a comprehensive and fully integrated standard feature set at no additional cost. Each PS Series storage array comes with fully redundant fault-tolerant hardware and includes full-featured automatic storage-management software in a self-contained chassis. Multiple arrays can be combined to form a scalable enterprise storage grid of more than 100 terabytes.

About EqualLogic

EqualLogic(R), Inc., is the leading provider of intelligent, all-inclusive IP storage area network (SAN) solutions that enable businesses - from Fortune 100 to small and mid-size organizations - to realize the economic benefits of consolidated, self-managing storage. The EqualLogic PS Series of storage arrays, based on the company's patented peer storage architecture, is the industry's first automatic storage platform that delivers operational simplicity, comprehensive data management services and high data availability in a single, scalable pool of storage. EqualLogic's headquarters are located in Nashua, New Hampshire. For more information, please visit http://www.equallogic.com.