SAN Scenario: IBM To Offer Cisco IP Storage Services Module

Scott Drummond, program director for storage networking at IBM, Armonk, N.Y., said IBM will offer Cisco's IP Storage Services Module direct and through solution providers to two types of customers: those looking to build low-cost SANs over common IP networks, suitable for the iSCSI capabilities; and those looking to tie together two or more SANs over a long distance, a suitable scenario for FCIP.

The IP Storage Services Module works with San Jose, Calif.-based Cisco's 9216 Fibre Channel switch, its 9509 224-port Fibre Channel Director and its 9506 128-port Director, which was recently unveiled.

Drummond said the module is a good channel product because many target customers do not have both the storage and network integration skills needed to build IP-based SANs.

"These two sets of skills are not found in most shops," he said. "VARs can come in, put together whatever SAN is needed and overcome any political difference that exists between the two sides."

Hunt Russell, sales manager at Evolving Solutions, a Hamel, Minn.-based IBM solution provider, said Cisco's IP Storage Services Module is a big storage play for IBM. "A lot of customers don't want to install Fibre Channel SANs right away due to cost, but they have Cisco routers and switches," Russell said.