Dell announces new generation of EqualLogic solutions

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Today, Dell is announcing two new EqualLogic storage platforms, optimized versions of their PS4000 entry level SAN and their PS 6000 midrange product, which represent next-generation redesigns of these arrays.

"We have optimized the chassis for both our PS 4000 entry level PS 6000 midrange products," said Travis Vigil, executive director, Dell Storage. "This is the first major refresh of this hardware since its acquisition."

Like the PS 4000, the PS 4100 is aimed at SMBs and remote office locations. But whereas the PS 4000 has a 3U 16 drive chassis, the PS 4100 comes in 2U 24 drive with 2.5" drives (and a maximum of 21.6 TB of storage) and 2U with 12 x3.5" drives (with a maximum of 36 TB of storage)

"Because it has fewer drives than the PS 4000, this new chassis lets us be more aggressive on price points and will take us to a new part of the market," Vigil said. "There is also a 6 drive starting config compared to 8 on the PS 4000. This lets us get into the sub-$10,000 price range, and this has our partners very excited."

While the PS6000 comes in a 3U 16 drive form factor, the new PS6100 comes in a scaled down 2U with 24 2.5" drives and a maximum of 21.6 TB of storage in a single array, or as a 4U version with 24 3.5 inch drives or 4U 48 drive, with 72 TB in an array and 1.2PB in a single group. The PS6100 family is targeted at highly virtualized data center environments.

"The difference compared to the PS4100 is the scalability," Vigil said. It also comes with an SSD option, like its predecessor, and an 800% improvement in density over its predecessor. The new compact form factor also gives PS6100 customers the same performance for their typical workload using half the number of arrays, and 50 percent more expansion capacity when compared with previous generation EqualLogic arrays.

Vigil also stressed that both the PS 4100 and PS6100 adhere to the old EqualLogic selling feature of easy upgrades compared to some of its competitors.

"There are no forklift upgrades required," he said. "This works with the old arrays, and doesn't require data migrations. They can be easily inserted by the customer."

Dell also made a series of announcements of updates to storage software, of VMware-specific enhancements for EqualLogic, Compellent and PowerVault will ship in later in Q3 and Q4, and that that related products announced previously are now shipping, and that the previously announced EqualLogic FS7500 is now shipping.

The storage software updates are Dell EqualLogic SAN Headquarters 2.2 software and Dell EqualLogic Host Integration Tools for Microsoft 4.0. Dell EqualLogic SAN Headquarters 2.2 software provides real-time diagnostic information to enable customers to optimize and tune their system now includes new multi-site support.

"80% of our customers in larger SAN environments use this tool, which is also well suited to SMB needs," Vigil said.

Dell EqualLogic Host Integration Tools for Microsoft 4.0 has been re-designed to enhance the usability experience with new features including centralized data protection and more efficient management of multiple Microsoft hosts and virtual machines.

"A lot of our partners have found this software portfolio helps them sell the product," Vigil said. "It resonates with customers."

In support of the forthcoming VMware vSphere 5, Dell also introduced a new set of VMware specific enhancements for EqualLogic, Compellent and PowerVault which will roll-out through Q3 and Q4. For EqualLogic, Dell EqualLogic Host Integration Tools for VMware 3.1 provides enhanced storage visibility and datastore management as well as improved performance and availability through tight integration with VMware vSphere 5, VMware vSphere Storage APIs for Storage Awareness, VMware Storage Distributed Resource Scheduler, and VMware vCenter Site Recovery Manager 5. The latest EqualLogic firmware version 5.1, announced several months ago, also includes thin provisioning awareness for VMware vSphere to help users save valuable recovery time and help mitigate the risk of potential data loss.

"About 90% of our customers are doing some kind of virtualization and 80% of those are using VMware," Vigil said. "Providing the easiest possible deployment and management is very important to us. And EqualLogic has had a long historical focus on VMware integration."

The VMware announcements for the other Dell storage lines are Dell Compellent Storage Replication Adapter such as Dell PA-6 Adapter, Dell PA-9 Adapter, Dell PA-12 Adapter, Dell PA-10 Adapter, Dell PA-3E Adapter, Dell Inspiron 1545 Adapter, Dell Inspiron 1525 Adapter, Dell Inspiron 1420 Adapter, Dell Inspiron 1300 Adapter, Dell Inspiron 1318 Adapter for VMware vCenter Site Recovery Manager 5 and Dell PowerVault Integration with VMware vSphere 5. Dell Compellent Storage Replication Adapter for VMware vCenter Site Recovery Manager 5 supports automated failback from a disaster event and new workflows for planned migrations and downtime. Dell also is updating its Compellent plug-in support for VMware vSphere 5 to help customers more easily link their Compellent storage environment with virtualized resources. Dell PowerVault Integration with VMware vSphere 5 adds certification and enables customers to manage multiple PowerVault MD3200/MD3600 series of storage arrays from a single VMware vCenter Server instance using the vCenter Plugin for Dell PowerVault MD.

Finally Vigil noted that Dell has begun shipping the new EqualLogic FS7500, the company's latest NAS solution , that works with EqualLogic PS Series arrays.

"It has a highly virtual modern architecture, has a new load balancer and a tiering capability for EqualLogic that we haven't had before," he said.

The Dell EqualLogic PS4100 and PS6100 series are available immediately starting at $USD 9,499 USD and $USD 30,699 respectively. The Dell EqualLogic Host Integration Tools for VMware is planned for release in Q3. The Dell EqualLogic Host Integration Tools for Microsoft and SAN Headquarters 2.2 software are planned for release in Q4.