IBM Introduces Storage Gateway

   IBM has announced a new storage system designed to link storage networks. The IBM TotalStorage NAS Gateway 500 is powered by IBM networking software and the company's POWER4 microprocessor. The system helps connect Ethernet-based networks to Storage Area Networks (SANs) for file access. "Today's data centers often share a mix between heterogeneous [Network Attached Storage] NAS and SAN technologies. The new gateway can help customers leverage current storage investments while reducing the manpower necessary to support them," said Leslie Swanson, vice president, IBM Storage Systems. IBM will market the TotalStorage NAS Gateway 500 as a higher-end product than the company's NAS Gateway 300 series, which is Microsoft Windows Powered and uses Intel processors.
   The new gateway supports Windows, Linux, and UNIX clients. It offers native support for IBM's storage servers and, in combination with IBM's TotalStorage SAN Volume Controller, can be used with other vendors' storage servers. Available on February 6, the IBM TotalStorage NAS Gateway 500 will start at $60,000.