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Network Appliance Announces Self-Qualification Program for iSCSI Adapter Vendors

Posted on: Monday, 11 August 2003, 06:00 CDT

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 11, 2003--

Intel(R) PRO /1000 T IP Storage Adapter First Through Medusa

Labs iSCSI Pre-Qualification Testing Facility

Network Appliance, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTAP) announced a program through which iSCSI adapter vendors can self-qualify as NetApp(R)-supported solutions in conjunction with NetApp iSCSI storage systems.

The program uses an independent third-party company -- Finisar -- to supervise qualification testing, which is carried out at Finisar's Medusa Labs facility in Austin, Texas. iSCSI adapter vendors whose products complete testing can be marketed as NetApp-supported. The Intel(R) PRO/1000 T IP storage adapter was the first to complete the program, and recently the Adaptec 7211 iSCSI HBA completed the program. Other vendors' iSCSI adapters are currently in the testing process.

iSCSI, an IETF standard storage protocol, enables the creation of storage area networks (SANs) using pervasive Ethernet infrastructures. iSCSI is especially appealing since it enables affordable storage consolidation solutions for server applications in environments where simplicity, flexibility, and price/performance are critical IT decision factors.

"We believe that iSCSI adapters will plug and play just like any other Ethernet components," said Mark Santora, senior vice president of marketing at Network Appliance. "However, since iSCSI is a new technology, customers are looking for assurances that different vendors' products have been thoroughly tested and work together. This program provides that assurance for NetApp customers. In addition, Medusa Labs provides the industry with an independent third-party testing process and facility for iSCSI vendors."

The Medusa Labs testing process was designed to verify proper functionality and operation between iSCSI initiator and iSCSI target hardware. Test suites monitor product functionality, stability, data integrity, and performance while being performed in optimal and error-induced states. Error injection and recovery verify that the products are up to the most stringent data center requirements.

"Intel and Network Appliance share a strong commitment to open standards," said Jim Woodruff, director of product planning and marketing for Intel's LAN Access Division. "We took advantage of this program to rigorously test the Intel(R) PRO/1000 T IP Storage Adapter. We anticipate others will use the facility as well, accelerating the introduction standards-compliant iSCSI solutions."

For Network Appliance, iSCSI represents a chance to accelerate customers' evolution from direct-attached and internal storage to networked storage. iSCSI affords customers who have deployed Ethernet infrastructures pervasively throughout their businesses new application opportunities to tap the data management and flexibility benefits of networked storage in more parts of their enterprise. With iSCSI deployments, customers can accelerate their transitions to networked storage by providing cost-effective "data center-caliber" storage management capabilities for their distributed server environments. Importantly, all this can be done with solutions that leverage their existing networking investments and expertise.

The Network Appliance(TM) iSCSI solutions are now available for Microsoft(R) Windows(R) environments. An iSCSI protocol license for NearStore, NetApp F800 and FAS900 series storage solutions is available at no charge to existing customers with software subscription contracts from the NetApp NOW(TM) Web site.

About Network Appliance

Network Appliance is a world leader in unified storage solutions for today's data-intensive enterprise. Since its inception in 1992, Network Appliance has delivered technology, product and partner firsts that continue to drive "The evolution of storage."(TM) Information about Network Appliance solutions and services is available at www.netapp.com.

NetApp is a registered trademark and Network Appliance, NOW and The evolution of storage are trademarks of Network Appliance, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation. All other brands or products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and should be treated as such.

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