Grid computing adopted for storage

European storage systems provider Exanet today announced the launch of what it claims to be the industry's first completely scalable grid storage access system.

The company said its ExaStore Grid Storage 2.0 software-based product uses grid computing concepts as the key to the next generation of reliable storage technologies.

It clusters all storage system resources - Raid arrays, server/controllers and cache memory - into one unified resource, significantly increasing efficiency, reliability and rate of return for storage.

The network-attached storage system eliminates islands of storage by consolidating resources into a virtual resource with a single name space operating seamlessly in a heterogeneous NFS, CIFS and AFP protocols environment, thereby facilitating data sharing among applications.

"Exanet's technology demonstrates the growing commercial use of grid storage," said Jamie Gruener, senior analyst at Yankee Group, in a statement.

"Its grid-based technology allows companies to move towards more scalable and reliable storage systems at an affordable price."

Exanet is aiming the product at the digital media and pre-media industry, media streaming, oil and gas, digital video animation, medical imaging and other standard enterprise applications all known for their performance, high-volume and high-availability requirements.