IBM and Network Appliance have joined forces to offer an
alternative to EMC storage products.
As part of the relationship, IBM and Network Appliance, also known
as NetApp, have signed an OEM agreement that will enable IBM to
sell IBM-branded products based on Network Appliance's network
attached storage and iSCSI/IP storage area network products.
These include Network Appliance's Nearstore and NetApp V-Series
systems as well as associated software offerings.
The agreement promotes enhanced integration of NetApp software with
IBM Tivoli Storage Manager. IBM Tivoli Storage Manager is now a
preferred back-up and recovery system for Network Appliance
products and a key offering of the IBM Totalstorage 0pen software
family.
In addition, with Network Appliance users increasingly seeking a
complete tiered storage system, Network Appliance will position IBM
as its preferred supplier of tape systems for NetApp users.
"The IBM relationship with Network Appliance is a prime example of
how two industry-leading companies, both of whom actively support
open standards, can team up to offer information on-demand
solutions," said Andy Monshaw, general manager, IBM Storage
Systems.