Technology leaders combine multiple data functions on a single-wire storage network that frees up servers for dramatic expansion of workload
17th April 2000 — Hitachi Data Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT), and privately held Troika Networks, Inc. (TROIKA~), an emerging-growth server and storage networking company, have teamed up at the Storage Networking World conference being held here this week to present a demonstration of advanced storage networking technology that dramatically increases the return on investment in data mining and other business-intelligence applications resulting from better CPU resource utilization.
The two companies collaborated on the design and implementation of a Storage Area Network (SAN), augmented with server networking functions that creates a single-wire network for data movement. The new technology reduces "by ratios as large as 25 to 1" the processing overhead that network servers must devote to data-movement tasks. As a result, a much larger percentage of server resources can be used for application computing to get increased business value from the data.
The SAN built by Hitachi Data Systems and Troika Networks to host a high-performance data-mining demonstration at Storage Networking World is integrated into a larger SAN fabric there used to demonstrate efficient configurations for LAN-free backup, server-free backup, tape vaulting and archiving, and storage consolidation. This massive demonstration of SAN-component interoperability and function was spearheaded by Brocade and made possible through cooperative efforts of ADIC, Brocade, Chaparral, CNT, CommVault, Compaq, Crossroads, Emulex, EuroLogic, Hitachi Data Systems, InterSAN, JNI, Legato, SpectraLogic, StorageTek, Troika Networks, and VERITAS.
Key to the accelerated performance of the data mining application is the TROIKA SAN Controller~, an intelligent Host Bus Adapter (HBA) designed to provide both server and storage networking on a single wire and use minimal host processing power. The controller serves as the interface between the network servers and the SAN switching fabric. This technology is the first in the world to enable three popular protocols for packaging and routing network data® SCSI, IP, and VI Architecture® to converge onto a single Fibre Channel wire. Among the visible results of this multi-protocol convergence is a significant reduction in network complexity and cabling, leading to lower installation and data management costs.
"The breakthroughs that Hitachi Data Systems and TROIKA are demonstrating, using TROIKA's intelligent SAN Controller and Hitachi server and storage systems, include the capability of using the same open standard interconnects for both storage and server networking on a single wire. The dramatic reduction in CPU utilization is an unprecedented benefit that significantly optimizes the use of data network resources," said Alan Skidmore, President and CEO of Troika Networks. "IT managers and service providers will enjoy reduced total cost of ownership and training by using a single infrastructure. At the same time they can support scaling data mining and e-business applications and an increased number of users."
To experience first-hand the benefits of a multi-protocol controller in a SAN environment, attendees at Storage Networking World are able to participate in a data mining application using the DB2® Universal Database Extended Enterprise Edition, with the contents of the database spread across a cluster of Windows NT servers. This massively parallel configuration enables the system to scan the database at rates of up to one million rows of information per second® ten to twenty times faster than what is experienced in conventional system configurations.
"Under the new structure, HDS customers should receive even greater service and support," said Kyle Tager, Manager of e-Government services at the CityofBoston.com. "The fact that the new business model places 80 percent of their employee resources directly in front of customers breaks new ground in today's marketplace, and adds a fresh dimension to the term 'customer relationship management.'"
Hu Yoshida, Hitachi Data Systems Vice President for Data Network Solutions, commented, "Within a very short time SAN technology has progressed from being merely an industry buzz word to the point where it is being widely adopted throughout the IT world. IT managers and business executives are recognizing its benefits in maintaining and protecting their vast stores of critical data, but they are also experiencing even greater benefits by using SANs to exploit the value of this data for business success. We're pleased to team with TROIKA and our other SAN alliance partners to show the astonishing value that SAN technology brings to real-world business applications like data mining."
The SAN configuration demonstrated by Hitachi Data Systems and Troika Networks at Storage Networking World includes a cluster of four-way Windows NT servers, a Hitachi Freedom Storage™ 7700E subsystem and a Hitachi Freedom Storage 5800 subsystem. Data is routed between the servers and between the servers and storage subsystems via Brocade switches. VERITAS software is used to manage the backup of data to automated tape subsystems. The TROIKA Controller detects which protocol is associated with each packet of data it receives and directs it to an appropriate destination. The choice of SCSI, IP, or VI protocol depends on characteristics of the data being transferred:
Bulk data is transferred at high speed with low CPU utilization from server to server, via the TROIKA controller, through the SAN switching fabric, using the Virtual Interface Architecture (VI) protocol.
System commands are transferred from server to server through the SAN switching fabric using the Internet Protocol (IP).
Storage data is transferred between multiple servers and multiple storage subsystems through the FCP/Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) protocol.
Committed to helping customers exploit the value of information technology for success in the Internet economy, Hitachi Data Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT), is a leading provider of business solutions for the world's most information-intensive corporations. For further information on Hitachi Data Systems, access www.hds.com.
Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, is one of the world's leading global electronics companies, with fiscal 1998 (ended March 31, 1999) consolidated sales of 7,977 billion yen ($65.9 billion). The company manufactures and markets a wide range of products, including computers, semiconductors, consumer products and power and industrial equipment. For more information on Hitachi, Ltd., please visit Hitachi's Web site at http://www.hitachi.co.jp.
¹ At an exchange rate of 124 yen to the dollar.
Troika Networks brings new dimensions to storage networking for e-business applications, offering a single standards-based infrastructure for fast and efficient server-to-storage and also server-to-server networking. TROIKA's products are based on open standard Fibre Channel technology and provide Quality of Service and Manageability features that align business requirements with IT asset utilization. Founded in 1998, the company is actively involved in alliances and partnerships focused on end-to-end solutions. Troika Networks, Inc. is located in Westlake Village, California and can be reached at 805.371.1377 or by info@TroikaNetworks.com or www.TroikaNetworks.com.
Contacts: PR
Hitachi Data Systems is registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a trademark and service mark of Hitachi, Ltd. Freedom Storage is a trademark of Hitachi Data Systems. DB2 is a trademark of International Business Machines. UNIX is a registered trademark in the U.S. and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open Company, Limited. TROIKA and Troika Networks are trademarks of Troika Networks, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned may be trademarks of their respective owners.products, including computers, semiconductors, consumer products and power and industrial equipment. For more information on Hitachi, Ltd., please visit Hitachi's Web site at www.hitachi.com.
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