EMC toughens data protection with Atmos 1.3

Atmos 1.3 will feature EMC's GeoProtect system

EMC has added new data protection capabilities to its Atmos cloud storage platform, along with hardware updates to improve performance and expand storage capacity.

Launched in November 2008, Atmos is described as "cloud optimised storage" aimed at large businesses that need to manage information on a global scale while giving staff worldwide access to content.

Atmos customers manage storage by setting policies, such as levels of staff access, and can tag information according to where they want it to be stored.

EMC unveiled a web-delivered version of Atmos in May last year that lets customers manage their own data storage online.

The new data protection capabilities will be available in Atmos 1.3 early this year with a capability called GeoProtect.

EMC claims that GeoProtect divides a storage object into segments, and automatically distributes the content across a customer's infrastructure using predetermined policies set by the customer.

This means that Atmos can quickly recreate the content in the event of downtime or a disaster, the firm said.

Atmos runs on industry-standard x86 servers, and currently has a storage capacity of up to 360TB. Version 1.3 will be given a further two 1TB drives, which EMC claims will double the storage capacity.

The platform will also be upgraded to the new Intel Xeon processor 5500 series, which EMC said will double its performance and efficiency.

"Our new GeoProtect functionality provides customers with the elasticity and control they require to apply intelligent, flexible protection policies, while managing their content along its lifecycle," said Michael Feinberg, EMC Cloud Infrastructure Group vice president.

"In addition, the hardware platform enhancements deliver significant efficiency and twice the scale."