Compaq's High-End Storage: Big, Flexible, And FastCompaq's High-End Storage: Big, Flexible, And Fast

Compaq this week will unveil its latest high-end storage system, the Enterprise Virtual Array. The system is big enough to store as much as 17 terabytes of data, can move data very quickly, and is flexible enough to let companies initiate changes to storage requirements without having to shut down systems.

The Enterprise Virtual Array uses a process called virtualization to alter system parameters automatically, based on preset business rules for capacity levels within what's called the Vraid firmware, a proprietary combination of hardware and software built into the system. When thresholds are reached, such as the number of hits to a Web site, Vraid moves data between disk drives to assign more capacity to the Web servers that support the site.

The Enterprise Virtual Array includes Vsnap software, which eliminates the need to have extra capacity for disaster recovery or daily backups. Vsnap moves only the changes made to a database since the last backup, rather than the entire database.

Celera Genomics Group, a biotechnology company in Rockville, Md., is testing the Enterprise Virtual Array and has already seen performance boosts. Compared with the EMA 16000, the Compaq storage system Celera previously used, the Enterprise Virtual Array takes just half the time to make any changes, such as moving capacity from one application to another, says Mike Gulden, a system architect at Celera. The Enterprise Virtual Array also outperformed its predecessor threefold on a simulation project involving the gathering and analysis of human genetic data.

The storage system gives Compaq clout in two markets, analysts say. It can now compete with EMC, Hitachi Data Systems, and IBM, all of which have high-capacity storage but are behind in terms of virtualization capabilities. "If you discounted Compaq because they didn't have a big array, you have to count them now," says John Webster, an analyst at Illuminata. Compaq can outperform the big three storage vendors, which have higher capacity but slower disk drives, he says.

Compaq also can now take on Storage Computer and the Xiotech subsidiary of Seagate. Both have similar virtualization technology but can't compete with Compaq because they don't have the product selection or the service and support Compaq has.

One drawback: To take advantage of Compaq's and other vendors' virtualization technology, businesses must use their respective storage systems.