Auspex, LSI Logic Demo Converged NAS/SAN Solution

Auspex Systems and LSI Logic Storage Systems are demonstrating a new storage solution for oil and gas companies at the SIS Forum 2002 New Orleans.

The companies said the system combines a MetaStor E-Series storage array with the new Auspex NSc3000 Network Storage Controller, a multivendor SAN-to-NAS gateway that provides file services in SAN environments without the purchase of a separate NAS infrastructure.

“In the past, oil and gas companies utilizing SANs for seismic processing had to invest in a separate storage system to provide file-level access for seismic interpretation. That approach stopped short of delivering the full benefits of storage consolidation,” said Brad Elliott, business development manager, Global Oil and Gas, for LSI Logic Storage Systems. “Now our customers who need file services for seismic interpretation can achieve it simply by running the Auspex NSc3000 storage controller on top of our SAN-attached storage arrays. This provides truly consolidated storage as well as the benefits of lower equipment and administrative costs.”

Auspex said iits new NSc3000 controller enables enterprises with SANs from virtually any vendor to access and share files via NAS protocols without investing in a traditional NAS server with attached disk subsystems. Excess disk capacity in the SAN pool can be used for information requiring file-level access. The company said strategy lowers hardware costs, reduces the administrative overhead required to manage two separate storage architectures, and permits more efficient utilization of existing storage resources.