EMC's Sub-$6K Array OK

Yet that is the case, as EMC last week launched its smallest, lowest-cost storage array ever, aimed exclusively at the channel.

The EMC Clariion AX100 comes with up to 3 Tbytes of capacity, one or two processors and a 1-Gbyte cache. It can connect to up to eight high-availability hosts. However, it is separate from the rest of the Clariion line in that its drives are not swappable with EMC's CX family.

The AX100, listing at $5,999 with 500-Gbyte capacity, works with EMC's VisualSRM software and Legato NetWorker data protection software, said Mike Wytenus, senior director of Clariion platform marketing at EMC.

The array offers integrated network storage functionality, including a wizard-driven GUI for easy use and local snapshot support for data recovery, all without the need to pay for a software license, Wytenus said.

The release is aimed at the small and midsize enterprise market, and can be used in SAN, NAS and direct-attach storage environments running under Windows, Linux or NetWare. It targets Microsoft Exchange and SQL applications as well as file/print and Web services.

The AX100 is targeted exclusively at the channel because, Wytenus said, "we believe solution providers have expertise in delivering value to [small and midsize businesses]. %85 At under $5,999, this will fit the budget of such customers."

In North America, the array will be available through Arrow, Avnet, Tech Data, Bell Microproducts and CDW.

Dell is also manufacturing and selling the AX100, as it does the Clariion CX100 array. That company, which brands it the Dell/EMC AX100, is offering it with 3 Tbytes of capacity for $4,999, or with an 8-port Brocade Fibre Channel switch and two QLogic host bus adapters for $9,999.

Dell last week also started rebranding EMC software such as the Legato NetWorker Dell Edition and the Legato RepliStor Dell Edition.

"The simple matter is, Dell is going to be in the marketplace with servers, storage and peripherals," Wytenus said. "It's up to the partner to figure out how to add value."

One who already has figured it out is Joe Cunningham, general manager of Computer Professionals International, Albany, N.Y. Partners like CPI have an advantage in their close relationships to customers, Cunningham said. "We offer full solutions,something Dell can't do," he said.