Citrix and NetApp join forces to offer virtual solution

Citrix and NetApp have formed an alliance in a bid to deliver a virtualisation solution optimised for storage environments.

Networking vendor Citrix claimed the jointly developed – Citrix XenServer Adapter for NetApp Data ONTAP – allows customers to centrally manage storage configuration and provisioning from a single console.

According to Peter Levine, senior vice president and general manager Virtualisation and Management Division for Citrix, the partnership will offer a Citrix-based server virtualisation solution capable of leveraging the features of NetApp storage products.

“Citrix and NetApp customers can now virtualise their servers and directly leverage the superior data management capabilities from NetApp,” he said.

According to Levine, the agreement is an extension of the existing relationship between Citrix and NetApp, and bolsters the vendor’s portfolio.

“Our customers want the ability to create a data centre experience with all the benefits of server virtualisation without disrupting their storage virtualisation environment,” he explained.

Analysts argue IT professionals are increasingly demanding a comprehensive server virtualisation solution, rather than a fragmented approach where technologies are adopted from various vendors.

“Integrating our products with XenServer provides customers with the unique ability to leverage the virtualisation awareness inherent in NetApp arrays,” said Jay Kidd, chief marketing officer, NetApp.

Jim Corrigan, founder of Manage Operations has deployed both Citrix XenServer virtualisation software and NetApp Storage for customers such as T-Systems and Daimler, automating the management of their computer centres that can include between 3,000 to 8,000 servers.

“After looking at the beta product for Citrix XenServer integrated into NetApp, we are excited about a storage-optimised virtualisation solution that will enable our customers to leverage familiar software to add server virtualisation capabilities,” he said.

Citrix claimed the key benefits of the technology are integrated and simplified wizard-based set up and configuration, and task and resource optimisation.

“By bringing the worlds of server and storage virtualisation together, we offer operational breakthroughs that help customers improve their IT infrastructure and processes,” said Kidd.

In addition to the availability of the Citrix XenServer Adapter for NetApp Data ONTAP, NetApp has also completed testing and certification of Citrix XenServer to assist in integration and support.