Dell unveils newest storage servers

Dell is putting its acquisition of EqualLogic to use less than a week after wrapping up the deal.

The company introduced a new mid-market storage server at an event in San Francisco on Monday.

The Dell EqualLogic PS5000 series falls between the entry-level MD3000i and AX systems, and the high-end CX series.

The PS5000's enclosure consists of 16 drive bays, each capable of holding a 1TB Sata drive.

The systems also feature a new GUI software management console and the ability to connect directly to backup systems without needing to access application servers.

Multiple PS5000 systems can easily be added into the network and combined to run as a single virtualised storage system.

The biggest selling point of the PS5000, however, may be its network connection which uses iSCSI to link with other systems.

The networking protocol allows the storage systems to be linked with servers by way of standard Gigabit Ethernet hardware rather than Fibre Channel cables.

EqualLogic's strong position in the iSCSI market was a prime factor in Dell's decision to acquire the firm for $1.4bn. The company expects the iSCSI market to boom in coming years.

Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT, told vnunet.com that the move shows Dell is serious about beefing up its presence in storage.

"I think Dell believes there are some real benefits to going out as a fully-functional systems vendor," he said.

However, Dell may be step on the toes of its current storage partner, EMC.

"EMC has a great interest in the small and mid-market, and I think that's where you could see some overlap," said King.

Dell made a special point during the presentation to highlight its relationship with EMC, and King does not see Dell's latest move creating a major riff.

"EMC is clearly the vendor enterprise customers look for," he said. "It will only be a minor issue."