Compaq Computer

Bob Vautrain
Analyst Relations Manager
Storage Products Group
Compaq Computer Corporation
http://www.compaq.com/

Company Background:

Compaq has grown to be the largest computer company in the world and one of the largest global supplier of RAID solutions. Compaq develops and markets hardware, software, solutions, and services, including enterprise computing solutions, fault-tolerant storage solutions, networking and communication
products, commercial desktop and portable devices, and consumer PCs. SAN-related Products

Storage Network Products:

In the last quarter of 1998, Compaq announced a total vision and plan of a complete set of products based on an architecture they called Enterprise Network Storage Architecture (ENSA). The ENSA strategy describes a flexible approach to enterprise storage, combining the benefits of enterprise computing with the strength of centralized data management. The architecture is inclusive and envisions an enterprise where storage area networks, network attached storage and direct attached storage are complementary implementations that can be used to solve a variety of customer issues. ENSA provides customers a reliable means to manage storage allowing them to achieve the highest levels of performance and availability at the lowest total cost.

The Open SAN is the next step in the evolution of Compaq ENSA. Supporting multiple vendors' server and storage platforms, an Open SAN provides the infrastructure for the storage utility. The enterprise storage utility delivers the appropriate quality of service and data. Compaq is also working with other industry leaders to create the inter operability standards to define and deliver the Open SAN. In February 2000, Compaq introduced a new line of storage management software under the SANworks sub-brand. These new offerings support business continuance with capabilities that provide prompt, reliable, and uninterrupted access to data, even at distances that can span sites.

Virtualization, data replication, snapshot technology and SAN management are all key elements of the SANworks strategy. In April 2000, Compaq introduced the MA8000 and EMA12000. These next generation modular arrays are fibre channel based and support not only Compaq servers but also those from HP, IBM, Sun, SGI, and Intel NT. The IBM alliance in July 2000, was a proof point of Compaq's focus on the development and drive to deliver the Open SAN. This alliance allows customers more choices and greater inter operability in their storage infrastructure.