Dell unleashed an OS-independent network storage device at a price that might surprise you—but having Mac, Windows, and UNIX files stored on the same device might surprise you even more.

by Alex Goldman ISP-Planet Associate Editor [November 16, 2001]

Make no mistake about it, Dell Computer Corp. (NASDAQ: DELL) wants to rattle Compaq's cage by establishing itself in the network storage marketplace. As you may recall, Dell struck a five-year, multi-billion dollar co-branding pact with EMC (NASDAQ: EMC) last month. As a part of the deal, the venerable storage specialist will co-brand its CLARiiON lineup of enterprise storage systems for Dell, making the No. 1 computer maker a leading contender in the high-end storage market.

To keep its drive alive, this past week Dell introduced its PowerVault lineup of network-attached storage (NAS) devices. The Dell PowerVault family makes files from Microsoft Windows, Novell NetWare, UNIX, Linux, and Macintosh operating systems all get along nicely on one server.

The PowerVault 715N is a stripped-down storage solution that operates from a 900 MHz Intel Celeron processor and includes a 160 GB hard drive for less than $2,000. Controller card, rails, and technical support sold separately. Tax and shipping extra.

But for $9,233, you could pick up Dell's top-of-the-line PowerVault System. The PowerVault 755N features dual redundant power supplies, a 1 GHz Intel Pentium III processor with 133 MHz bus, 512 MB of SDRAM, Silver support—three year onsite assistance—and five 1-inch 18 GB hard drives running at 10,000 RPM. (Tax and shipping still extra.)

Designed for heavy-duty file sharing, the PowerVault lineup includes Dell's ActiveArchives technology that creates and preserves snapshots of stored data as a part of the storage process. Network outages? No problem. This storage system also fights LAN data loss via a software package that parks data backups directly on local PowerVault tape systems. (PowerVault tape systems, of course, are sold separately.)

Where the deals are
Amid the blizzard of Windows XP hype, Adaptec (NASDAQ: ADPT) introduced its lineup of RAID drivers designed to integrate into the new OS. A spokesperson for Adaptec said the partnership between Microsoft and Adaptec "gives builders of non-branded systems the same Windows support enjoyed by their brand counterparts."

If you happen to be in Los Angeles and as circumstance has it, you operate a small-tech business, stop by the LA Chamber of Commerce. The local business advocate has allied with Compaq to give small businesses a small discount—up to 10 percent—on products ordered through the CoC's Member Advantage website.

StorageTek (NYSE: STK) released the D173 disk subsystem, starting at just under $30K. The disk system supports two Fiber Channel interfaces at 100 Mbps each, and holds 10 drives, at 180 GB each (7,200 RPM), for a total of 1.8 TB of storage. The D173 as shown (left), has two additional disk arrays that provide a total maximum capacity of 5.4 TB stored in 30 different drives.

LSI Logic (NYSE: LSI) recently released the MegaRAID i4, a product that it calls "an intelligent, four-channel IDE RAID host bus adapter." LSI claims the MegaRAID i4 provides high-end features at low-end pricing. However, prices are not available at this time.

Maxtor (NYSE: MXO) unveiled its FireWire-compatible external hard drive this week. The 80 GB PersonalStorage 300DV is priced just under $395, while desktop and laptop models run about $50 and $100, respectively. The cards and drives are available from resellers and from Maxtor Direct. Keep an eye peeled for discounts.

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