Digital Networks Launches Open Storage Server

15th October 2009

Manchester based Digital Networks UK Ltd have released their Open Storage Server platform (OSS) for inclusion on their established Teravault range of storage systems.

The first public release of the OSS platform follows 18 months of intensive development by the company, who have an enviable reputation for their no-nonsense approach to open source system and service provision.

Providing block based virtualized storage for network clients, the OSS platform is unique in the marketplace in supporting any combination of IP, Fibre Channel and InfiniBand network fabrics - simultaneously within one unit.

OSS offers full backward compatibility with an organisation's existing network fabric, whilst being fully upgradeable to comply with any anticipated future network upgrades.

Designed to dramatically simplify the creation and ongoing management of storage area networks, OSS provides support for SAN target devices such as entire RAID arrays, logical volumes, virtual disk images as well as DRBD replicated devices. OSS removes unnecessary complexity from the storage infrastructure and provides huge cost savings as a result.

DNUK spokesman, Peter Phillips, says of the platform, "We're very excited by what OSS delivers to system administrators. Where many storage solutions seem to wrest control away from the customer, OSS puts that customer firmly in charge of their own systems."

On cost savings, he adds, "In the current economic climate, many organisations are demanding reductions in IT expenditure, yet are feeling compelled to implement major changes in server and storage infrastructure. OSS gives them the cake and lets them eat it in respect of their storage systems' evolution.

"To people concerned about support arrangements, I would say firstly, OSS is truly open source. It is entirely feasible for a competent sys admin to support the system themselves - perhaps after a little initial guidance from ourselves. For those who prefer to be more hands-off, we offer a very competitive Pro-Support programme but the important thing is that the customer has the choice."

OSS offers unrivalled SAN management capabilities at a fraction of the costs traditionally associated with such systems and DNUK believe the platform will attract significant interest from public sector organisations, with schools, colleges, local authorities etc. increasingly directed to consider open source options on IT projects.

Features include:

• Zero cost software licensing frees up more of your budget
• Web based control panel makes SAN management very easy
• Support for Linux, Windows and VMware clients
• iSCSI support over 1 gigabit and 10 gigabit Ethernet including multiple ports
• Fibre Channel support for 4 and 8 gigabit including multiple ports
• SRP support over 20 and 40 gigabit InfiniBand for areas such as HPC
• Intuitive group based model for easy security control
• Thin provisioning means your storage does not need to be pre-allocated

OSS is available at zero cost with our Teravault line of storage servers.

DNUK will be demonstrating the capabilities of OSS and OVP - DNUK's Open Virtualization Platform - at Technologyworld09, November 23-24, Ricoh Arena, Coventry. Interested parties can contact the company directly for more details.

Full details of Open Storage Server

About DNUK
DNUK builds storage and virtualization systems. Our platforms focus on technical solutions and are designed to reduce your costs and simplify management. Since 1998 we've been building Linux computers and we offer standards-based platforms that integrate with Windows, Linux, Unix and Mac networks.