IBM has been dancing around the subject of virtualization since it launched its Shark storage array two years ago. Initially it planned to put virtualization within the disk array. Then the focus shifted to Project Storage Tank, which was to be software that allowed the sharing of data across any storage device, or operating system. This was scheduled for release the middle of this year, but has failed to materialize.
In any event, its a great deal for DataCore. Under the agreement, IBMs global reseller network and its thousand-strong dedicated storage sales team, will sell DataCores SANsymphony IP-based disk mirroring and storage virtualization software to IBM Enterprise Storage Server (Shark) customers.
The software will enable IBM to sell Shark into EMC Corp. (NYSE: EMC)
and Hitachi Data Systems (HDS) accounts, where it can virtualize storage across multivendor platforms. This will help IBM get under the skin of its biggest competitors, says Ken Horner, VP of marketing at DataCore.
IBM has been testing with us for over a year, says Horner, they are not a risk-taking organization, and this is a big deal."
DataCore's SANsymphony software will be available for purchase from IBM or authorized IBM business partners from November 23.