Searching for a New Storage Dynasty

Recent announcements by Compellent, DataDirect Networks, Hewlett-Packard, and IBM have demonstrated the rebirth and resurgence of high-performance computing and the need for extremely fast storage systems.

Not only is there a resurgence of high-performance computing in the making, Web 2.0 and Cloud Computing are in their initial phase of infrastructure rollout through 2008 and 2009. All of these environments are demanding faster scientific computers (in the petaflops) and much faster commercial servers (blades servers and standard rackmounts).

Faster processing infrastructures, regardless of their application intent, require faster overall peripheral infrastructures, including:

Some vendors are carving out a new approach to storage peripheral supply with creative systems that provide clear performance advantage for the user. These vendors include DataDirect Networks, EMC -- with yet to be announced high-performance systems -- along with Compellent systems and Avid storage products.

In addition, HP announced the XP9100 but will not deliver customer-ready products until the fourth quarter of 2008. Let us not forget that they stated in their announcement that applications will run on the storage platform. (How is this possible? Well, the storage controllers are blade servers.) Therefore, the blades should be able to run applications. In my opinion, some blades will be used for applications and some for storage control. I believe it is doubtful that all blades will be dual-purpose storage controllers and servers, as the I/O handling could be overwhelming for a single blade server.When I look at all the announcements this year, and with all the technologies scheduled for delivery, and the actual delivery of ultra-high-performance storage, I see one vendor who is a standout: DataDirect Networks out of Chatsworth, Calif.

So, seeing this standout, I decide to apply The Trainer Test; in this case a single question. Is DataDirect a new storage vendor dynasty in the making?

Here is what I found out in the process of answering my single question:

OK, so I did not come up with one simple answer, but that is a good thing. Don’t get me wrong, this is not an advertisement for DataDirect. I am simply stating the facts as I see them… and I have been part of the storage industry for over 30 years now, and it appears to me that the company is rapidly on its way up. Does DataDirect Networks face some stiff competition? You bet they do, and they will have to stay on their toes to stave off some pretty big names.

The Trainer Test results: Given the quality, availability, performance, customer satisfaction, upbeat attitude, positive management changes, and longevity of credible high-performance storage delivery, I believe that DataDirect Networks is poised to be the new storage dynasty for high performance and Cloud Computing environments.— Tom Trainer is founder and president of analyst firm Analytico. Prior to founding Analytico, Trainer was managing senior partner at Evaluator Group, and has also worked at EMC, HDS, Auspex, and Memorex-Telex during his 30-year career in IT.

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