HP unveils 6Gbit/s storage architecture

HP has released a new storage architecture for HP ProLiant server environments, promising speed, efficiency and productivity improvements through the use of 6Gbit/s Serial-Attached SCSI (SAS).

The computing giant said that its new SAS technology would deliver improved throughput and performance compared with typical SAS infrastructures that run at 3Gbit/s, and make systems much better tuned for high input and output applications, including video streaming, server virtualisation and server backups.

The firm claims to be the first to offer a complete range of 6Gbit/s SAS infrastructure solutions, and on paper the range does seem comprehensive. HP announced 6Gbit/s versions of its SAS drives, Smart Array Raid controllers, ProLiant G6 servers and StorageWorks D2000 disk enclosures.

The new architecture offers enterprises a number of advantages, including reduced system downtime as a result of I/O bottlenecks, and faster access to business-critical data, according to HP.

The vendor also touted the new systems' versatility. For example, the StorageWorks D2000 disk enclosures could be used "as backup storage, a large database or for Web 2.0 installations and other storage-intensive applications for larger enterprise customers", said HP.

The HP 6Gbit/s SAS drives are available now for the HP ProLiant DL380, DL370, DL360, DL180 and DL160 servers, the HP ProLiant BL460c server blade, and the HP ProLiant ML370 and ML350 tower servers. The HP StorageWorks D2000 range of 6Gbit/s SAS disk enclosures will be available this autumn.