IBM is following the introduction of 4Gbps Fibre Channel arrays by EMC, NetApp, and LSI Logic with one of its own. The two new IBM System Storage DS4700 models, unveiled Tuesday, are its OEM version of LSI Logic's new array families, unveiled Monday.
IBM also confirmed Tuesday that it will OEM the new Network Appliance FAS6000 4-Gbps Fibre Channel arrays, which were introduced on Monday (9 May 2006).
The IBM System Storage DS4700 Express series is designed to provide users with increased connectivity, including 16 disk drive bays inside the controller and up to 8 host ports, reducing the need for a switch to be incorporated into the network. To handle up to 112 disk drives, customers have the option of attaching either the EXP710 or the recently announced EXP810 expansion unit to the back-end. Available in two versions, the Model 70 and Model 72 feature different amounts of cache and number of host ports. A new 4Gb disk drive option (15,000 RPM) is also available on the DS4700.
New IBM System Storage DS4700 4Gbps Fibre Channel arrays source
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