EMC goes low with new NAS head

Cheap path to Windows

By Ashlee Vance in Chicago • Get more from this author

Posted in Storage, 20th May 2004 14:52 GMT

EMC has announced plans to roll out a new storage system designed to keep Windows users happy by linking lower-end hardware with higher-end kit.

Come June, EMC will ship the NetWin 110 NAS Gateway - a follow on to the larger NetWin 200 released last October. The two boxes are the only members of EMC's NetWin family of products, which run Microsoft's Windows Storage Server 2003 operating system. Customers can use either NetWin product to connect their EMC Clariion systems into a network attached storage (NAS) architecture that runs primarily on Windows.

The NetWin 110 comes in at a much lower starting price than its predecessor. The NetWin 200 is a dual-processor system starting over $17,000, while the NetWin 110 will start at $6,100. The lower price is clearly meant to attract small and medium-sized businesses to pick up this type of "NAS gateway" product.

The NetWin systems make it a bit easier for customers familiar with Windows to manage Clariion storage boxes. The NetWin box provides a connection from the NAS network to the SAN network and lets all hardware management be done through the Windows Storage Server console instead of a separate application.

EMC is also including a trial version of its Legato data backup software to NetWin customers. This code also ties into the Windows Storage Server OS.

EMC will leave sales of the NetWin 110 up to its resellers such as Arrow Electronics, Avnet Hall-Mark, and Tech Data. No need to get your own hands dirty with SMB customers. ®