In an effort to reinforce its position as one of the top contenders in storage resource management (SRM), Fujitsu Softek unleashed a one-two SRM punch Monday, with the release of a new version of Softek Storage Manager software, along with a totally new software tool called Softek Storage Provisioner.
According to Softek, Storage Manager 2.1 is integrated with the newly announced Softek Storage Provisioner 2.1 to provide automated provisioning of direct-attached and network-attached disks to applications. As a result, Softek said, users can avoid application downtime due to "out-of-space" conditions and avoid over-allocation or underuse of storage resources.
Using Storage Manager 2.1, administrators can define characteristics of storage requirements for specific applications and have storage automatically provisioned from their storage pool.
Fujitsu also beefed up its policy-based automation to support commands launched through a command line interface (CLI) or user script. Once thresholds are reached, Softek Storage Manager can use an organization's existing library of policies and actions by executing pre-defined scripts written by users.
"Everyone is automating SRM functions, but is this what users really want?" said Mike Karp, a senior analyst with Boulder, Colo.-based Enterprise Management Associates Inc. "It seems to me that there is a comfort level involved in implementing, using and automating SRM functions. Many simply don't trust it."
Karp said
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that newer automation tools are based on policies and that the vendors haven't explained to IT managers how the policies they build reflect the management expertise of whoever defines the policies.
"The industry has been somewhat aloof in defining what storage management means," said Scott Shimomura, director of product marketing for Softek.
"We're moving toward enhanced physical management but aren't sure if users want us to go down that road. We're also looking at integrating other vendors' software."
However, Fujitsu isn't touching the backup market because, according to Shimomura, that deal is done. "The decisions have been made in backup and restore," he said.
He said, however, that Storage Manager will feature support for third-party software products like Veritas NetBackup, IBM Tivoli Storage Manager and others.
Storage Manager 2.1 now supports the Linux operating system and Oracle and SQL database applications, as well as backup and recovery applications such as Tivoli Storage Manager and NetBackup. The company said its backup and recovery support also extends existing capabilities for Legato NetWorker.
Storage Manager 2.1 supports Microsoft Windows NT, 2000 and XP, Solaris, HP-UX, IBM AIX, Linux, OS390 and zOS.
Storage Provisioner 2.1, the newest addition to the Softek arsenal, automatically assigns and allocates disk storage space to applications. The software also incorporates a workflow scheme to consolidate disparate storage arrays into a centralized storage pool in heterogeneous or single-vendor SAN environments. Once established, the central pool automatically allocates storage to application servers, increasing allocated capacity on an as-needed basis, Softek said.
Softek Storage Manager 2.1 is scheduled for general availability in May and will be priced from $39,000.
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Fujitsu's Softek unveils windowless backup product Fujitsu Softek's SANView offers expanded support Products of the Year: Fujitsu Softek Storage ManagerLet us know what you think of this story. E-mail Kevin Komiega, News Writer