Hewlett Packard’s StorageWorks 2000 Family of storage arrays features P2000 G3 MSA arrays with the 8 Gb Fiber Channel, 6 Gb SAS, 10GbE iSCSI connected models, and with a iSCSI model with four 1 Gb iSCSI ports per controller. The arrays are designed for entry-level customers and feature the latest in functionality and host-connect technology while offering excellent price/performance. They are ideal for companies with small budgets or limited IT expertise, and also larger companies with departmental or remote requirements. Each solution is designed to be easy to deploy, to be secure, along with low management costs, while driving rapid return on investment through efficient storage consolidation.

The P2000 G3 arrays are 2U storage area network (SAN) or direct connect solutions (OS and protocol dependent) offering a choice of five controllers – two FC, one SAS, one 10GbE iSCSI and the newest model features a four port 1 Gb iSCSI. The first Fiber Channel controller is a high-performance, 8 Gb dual port model. The second offering is a unique dual-purpose Combo controller with two 8 Gb Fiber Channel ports with the addition of two 1GbE iSCSI ports. The third controller choice is 6Gb SAS with four ports per controller. There is also the recent addition of a two port 10 Gb iSCSI, while the controller introduction features four 1 Gb iSCSI ports per controller. Whatever the situation calls for, the P2000 G3 line-up has the right solution.

The P2000 G3 SAS is the follow-on product to the MSA2000sa G2, adding the latest 6 Gb SAS technology to the four host ports per controller. The P2000 G3 SAS array is designed for directly attaching up to four dual-path or eight single path rack servers. SAS array support for blade systems will continue to come from the MSA2000sa G2.

The P2000 G3 10GbE iSCSI, brings the very latest in high-performance host connection with technology generally found only in higher priced arrays. The bandwidth it provides in conjunction with server consolidation is highly advantageous in shared storage configurations. Array connection to 10GbE switches that are in turn connected to 1GbE NICs is commonplace. Directly attached server support requires the server units to have 10GbE NICs.

The most recent addition is the P2000 G3 iSCSI controller featuring four 1Gb iSCSI Ethernet ports, double the number of the G2 model. This allows an array that keeps the price of the components, particularly the inter connects, low while markedly increasing the performance capabilities.