Firms wanting to reduce the costs of storage systems have new options this week following the launch of a number of iSCSI and data-protection products by high-end storage vendor Network Appliance.

High on the list is the vendor's first native iSCSI attachment kits for linking low-cost Linux and Windows servers to its storage systems using Ethernet cabling and the iSCSI protocol.

It costs about £1,500 to connect a server to a traditional storage area network (SAN) using Fibre Channel interfaces, with most of the cost accounted for by the Fibre Channel interface card that is needed in each server.

The main benefit of iSCSI is that servers can be connected to SANs using low-cost Ethernet network interface cards (NICs).

Roger Cox of analyst firm Gartner said, "ISCSI represents a tremendous opportunity for companies to migrate to networked storage and to more quickly and economically realise the benefits of simplified administration, increased data sharing, and near-instant infrastructure scalability."

Network Appliance's new iSCSI support comes in two parts. The firm is offering its implementation of the iSCSI protocol as a free software upgrade for its F800 and FAS900-series storage systems. In addition, it is now selling iSCSI host attach-kits based on Intel's Pro/1000T IP Storage Adapter.

The Intel adapter uses a co-processor to relieve the server's CPU from processing the iSCSI data. Prices start at £1,061 + VAT.

As well as the new iSCSI support, Network Appliance has launched its NearStore R150 backup system. The R150 is a data backup and disaster recovery system that uses ATA disks rather than tape. The disk drives enable backups to be made in less time than is possible using tape-based systems. The R150 provides a maximum capacity of 24TB and stores data at a rate of 430GB per hour.

The system also supports access from other vendors' servers, so it can be simultaneously used with legacy systems, and Unix, Linux and Windows servers.

Network Appliance vice president Tim Pitcher said, "In the past customers were focused on operations. Now they are also demanding that we help them save money. The R150 reduces costs from 2.2 cents per megabyte achieved with the R100 to one cent per megabyte using the new model."

The NearStore R150 can be used with a range of third-party backup software, including Atempo, BakBone, Computer Associates, Legato and Veritas, and costs £117,000 + VAT for 12TB. It also features new software modules for fast site failover to remote datacentres; storage virtualisation tools; and updated SnapVault software.

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