SYDNEY, Australia - 20 April
2009-NetApp (NASDAQ: NTAP) and Cisco today announced that
they are teaming up to provide customers with unified, dynamic data
centre solutions that are based on Cisco's Unified
Computing System and NetApp® Unified Storage Architecture.
Cisco and NetApp are working together to certify the combined
solution, and the companies will also collaborate on customer
support and marketing activities.
The Cisco Unified Computing System unites
computer, network, storage access, and virtualization resources in
a cohesive new data centre architecture. This allows customers to
reduce the complexities often associated with data centre
virtualization, lower costs, and improve asset utilization. Through
Cisco Validated Design, NetApp will provide flexible
and powerful storage solutions for the Cisco Unified Computing
System that will be tested for interoperability in virtualized data
centre environments. Customers benefit from the unified storage
model across the entire NetApp product portfolio, application
integration technologies such as the NetApp SnapManager®
product suite, and advanced storage efficiency features. As a
result, customers can take advantage of NetApp's unique advanced
storage efficiency capabilities to drive down raw storage
requirements, lower costs, improve utilisation in virtualized
environments, and simplify administrative tasks. Additionally,
NetApp's leadership in Ethernet storage technology complements the
Cisco Unified Computing System, which is based on a 10Gb per second
Unified Fabric that supports Fibre Channel over Ethernet
(FCoE).
Cisco and NetApp will also collaborate on
joint marketing efforts, such as the multi-city "Virtualized
Dynamic Data Centre Roadshow" with VMware and other select solution
integration partners. NetApp will also participate in Cisco's Data
Centre of the Future program. Both of these programs will focus on
educating customers about NetApp and Cisco data centre
offerings.
"As more and more customers move to a
virtualized infrastructure, they require the necessary storage,
compute, and network solutions needed to transition to a truly
dynamic data centre," said Tom Georgens, president and chief
operating officer for NetApp. "Through our long-standing
collaboration with Cisco, we are enabling customers to tap deep
into the power of their virtualized environment through a unified
and scalable platform for a more efficient and streamlined
experience."
"Customers, especially in today's current
economic environment, are always looking for ways to simplify,
reduce costs, and increase efficiencies in their data centres.
These attributes become increasingly important with the shift
toward the virtualized data centre," said Mario Mazzola, senior
vice president, Server Access and Virtualization business unit,
Cisco. "We are committed to working with NetApp to deliver to
customers the foundation for a truly virtualized and unified data
centre. With its Unified Storage Architecture, NetApp will
complement the Cisco Unified Computing System, helping many of our
customers realise all of the benefits of the dynamic data
centre."
In March, Cisco announced that NetApp is a
participant in Cisco's open ecosystem of partners for the Unified
Computing System, which is focused on stimulating innovation,
enhancing service delivery, and accelerating the market adoption of
Unified Computing. In addition, Cisco and NetApp have a long
history of collaboration and many common customers that have
deployed Cisco and NetApp technologies and solutions in their data
centres. NetApp supports and resells the Cisco Nexus 5000 and MDS
data centre switching products, and in 2008, Cisco and NetApp
announced support for the industry's first native FCoE
storage array.
The two companies have also worked together
on an Ethernet Unification Centre of Excellence, located at
NetApp's campus in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, which
was announced in February. The centre features Ethernet-based
protocols running on a Cisco 10 Gigabit Ethernet backbone.
Learn more about NetApp's collaboration with
Cisco:
About NetApp
NetApp creates innovative storage and data management solutions
that accelerate business breakthroughs and deliver outstanding cost
efficiency. Discover NetApp's passion for helping companies around
the world go further, faster at www.netapp.com/au.
About Cisco
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking that
transforms how people connect, communicate, and collaborate.
Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For
ongoing news, please go to http://newsroom.cisco.com.
Cisco, the Cisco logo, Cisco Nexus and Cisco
Systems are registered trademarks or trademarks of Cisco Systems,
Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and certain other
countries. NetApp, the NetApp logo, Go further, faster, and
SnapManager are trademarks or registered trademarks of NetApp, Inc.
in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks
mentioned in this document are the property of their respective
owners. All other brands or products are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective holders and should be treated as
such. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership
relationship between Cisco and any other company. This document is
Cisco Public Information.
Media Contact:
Gabriel Wong
Max Australia
Ph: +02-9954-3492
gabriel.wong@maxaustralia.com.au