News
F5 Augments File Virtualization Portfolio
Seattle-based application delivery networking vendor F5 Networks Inc. has announced
several new products for its file virtualization portfolio, including the ARX4000
platform -- claimed to be the industry's first solution to support 10 Gigabit
Ethernet -- and a software-based Data Manager product that works across the
entire ARX line.
File virtualization systems operate on the many-to-one consolidation model,
essentially the opposite of what happens with server virtualization. This creates
a file storage pool of aggregated resources sitting between the front-end client
and back-end servers. Benefits to IT organizations include simplified management,
automated tiering and cost reduction.
The ARX line of file virtualization solutions was sourced from F5's acquisition
of Acopia Networks in September 2007. The ARX4000 platform complements three
other existing products in the ARX series: the ARX500, ARX1000 and high-end
ARX6000. It supports up to 2 billion files per device.
The Data Manager manages all file storage devices across an enterprise, including
ARX and other vendor platforms. It allows IT admins to apply automated policies
to optimize resources, and share and manage files across heterogeneous environments.
Both the ARX4000 and the Data Manager are currently available and shipping.
About the Author
Tom Valovic is a freelance technology writer.