HP StorageWorks All-in-One SB600c Storage Blade -
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Purchasing

HP's StorageWorks All-in-One SB600c Storage Blade does provide unified NAS/SAN functionality but that is where they leave the competition behind. The AiO SB600c Storage Blade goes beyond unified storage by tightly integrating storage with comprehensive data protection software and a revolutionary management interface designed specifically for the types of IT professionals that manage small- and mid-sized IT environments.

Designed for IT generalists, not storage experts, these tools handle all of the underlying storage tasks and present capacity usage in application-centric terms, giving application administrators’ newfound control over the capacity allocation and data protection related to their rapidly growing application data environments. Administrators can quickly and easily expand application data areas, migrate data from capacity constrained application servers, implement disk and tape backup policies, and setup end-user file shares.

The AiO SB600c Storage Blade combines both a HP BladeSystem c-Class server blade and storage blade with iSCSI SAN, file serving and data protection into a integrated storage solution. However, the SB600c is much more than a simple bundle. HP is lowering the cost and complexity of storage and enabling smaller installations by integrating these various technologies and storage functions under a radically simple management console; now customers can use a single interface to gain control of their storage.

The All-in-One Storage Manager (ASM) includes intelligent tools which have been designed specifically for the types of IT professionals that manage small and mid-sized IT environments. It is designed for IT generalists, not storage experts. These tools handle all of the underlying storage tasks and present capacity usage in application-centric terms, giving application administrators’ newfound control over the capacity allocation and data protection related to their rapidly growing application data environments. Administrators can quickly and easily expand application data areas, migrate data from capacity constrained application servers, implement disk and tape backup policies, and setup end-user file shares.

These individual products are an excellent option for customers looking to implement only a single function such as file serving (HP ProLiant Storage Server) or who need the higher performance and scalability of a dedicated application storage array like the HP StorageWorks Modular Smart Array (MSA) or HP StorageWorks Enterprise Virtual Array (EVA). HP also develops standalone data protection software solutions for installation on existing servers or network environments (HP StorageWorks Data Protector Express Software).

HP All-in-One Storage Systems focus on affordability, integration, and ease of use by providing these three functions under a radically simple management umbrella designed for the types of IT professionals that manage small and mid-size IT environments. The AiO SB600c Storage Blade costs substantially less than implementing these separate products and the integrated management lowers the cost and complexity of expanding storage environments.

Choose an HP All-in-One Storage System instead of network attached storage (NAS) when you would like the ability to expand application servers via the iSCSI SAN technology and/or when you would like integrated data protection software. Choose an HP All-in-One Storage System instead of a dedicated storage area network (SAN) when you need a lower cost solution, if you also need to serve files, and when you value ease of use and management over high performance scalability.

Data protection is a core aspect of all HP All-in-One Storage Systems. Administrators can implement flexible data protection policies for different data stores. Snapshots provide fast and easy backup and restore enabling roll-back in the case of problems. HP integrated a full version of HP StorageWorks Data Protector Express Software into the All-in-One Storage Manager so that data can be backed up and recovered from tape, virtual tape, optical, or external disk on the network.

Data can be replicated between systems in two ways. First, the HP AiO SB600c Storage Blade runs Windows Storage Server 2003 R2, which enables replication of files via DFS-R from one system to another for rapid recovery in the event of disaster. For replication of both iSCSI LUNs and files you can use optional HP StorageWorks Storage Mirroring for real-time replication and failover.

Second, we built redundant hardware features into the product itself. Every HP StorageWorks All-in-One Storage System includes hot-swappable redundant hard drives with hardware RAID so that you are safe against drive failure. The AiO SB600c leverages the hardware and cooling redundancy built into the HP BladeSystem c-Class enclosure.

Third, the AiO SB600c Storage Blade uses standard HP BladeSystem c-Class blades which enable fast recovery because parts are easier to locate and service personnel are better trained.

Lastly, HP offers an award winning support organization and partner network that is available to help keep your data safe and secure. Optional Care Packs enable hardware replacement in as little as four hours with 24/7/365 access to support professionals.

Endorsed by Microsoft as a Worldwide Prime Integrator for Microsoft Windows 2003 Storage Server R2, Microsoft Windows 2003, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Exchange 2003, Microsoft BizTalk 2004, and Microsoft .NET technologies.

HP Services manages 300,000 Microsoft Exchange mailboxes and server environments, 500,000 Microsoft Windows desktops and laptops worldwide and has relationships with 61,000 Microsoft employees, vendors, and contractors in up to 68 countries.

This cumulative experience in Microsoft environments has gone into the development of the HP AiO SB600c Storage Blade. Specifically, the best practice storage algorithms for migrating and storing Microsoft Exchange and SQL Server data. This experience also means that HP and HP partners have the knowledge and experience to support your business.

You can install the Data Protector Express Software D2D option which adds automated and policy driven movement of the disk backups to tape or other supported media.

You can also install the Data Protector Express 1 Drive Expansion option in cases where the All-in-One SB600c Storage Blade is connected to a multi-drive tape device.