THIS MONTH'S FEATURE

iStor Flagship iS325 with GigaStor iSCSI Storage Controller
Achieves Microsoft "Designed for Windows" Qualification

The iStor iS325 iSCSI storage system has earned qualification under the Microsoft Designed for Windows Logo Program for iSCSI target devices. With this logo qualification, iStor confirms that all products utilizing the GigaStor technology deliver verified iSCSI connectivity and interoperability with Microsoft® Windows Server 2003 SKUs including Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2, the operating system used in the majority of servers sold worldwide.

iStor's flagship GigaStor product is a highly integrated network storage controller enabling the creation of cost effective iSCSI RAID storage solutions. A comprehensive line of products enables customers to build flexible, secure, affordable and high-performance IP SANs that address business-critical information systems for the masses. The Microsoft Windows logo qualification is an important designation not only ensuring the customer's quality experience but also recognizing the ability of the Microsoft iSCSI software initiators to keep pace with 10Gb connectivity including the iStor GigaStor.

iSCSI leverages existing IP networks to connect servers to storage using TCP/IP to transport SCSI commands and data between the host initiator and the storage target. It is attractive to both large and small customers who want to leverage a ubiquitous IP network utilizing standard mainstream Gigabit Ethernet components such as the Microsoft iSCSI Software Initiator along with standard Ethernet Network Interface Cards (NICs) and network switches to complement the iStor GigaStor storage target system for a cost-effective, end-to-end solution.

The Designed for Windows Logo Program promotes quality product development practices and ensures that customers have a wide choice of tested iSCSI hardware components designed to interoperate with Windows and the Microsoft iSCSI architecture. As a qualified Designed for Windows product, the GigaStor has undergone rigorous testing to demonstrate quality assurance and proven interoperability with Windows and Microsoft iSCSI architecture to meet the needs of all Microsoft Windows customers.

Microsoft recognizes the value in working with the industry leading network storage companies to ensure interoperability with the Microsoft Windows iSCSI infrastructure. "Microsoft and iStor share a common vision of Windows as the best host to a SAN and look forward to a long-term relationship in bringing the value of high-end iSCSI storage capabilities to organizations of all sizes," said Bala Kasiviswanathan, Director of Windows Server Product Management, Microsoft Corporation.

"iStor is proud to have earned the Microsoft Windows logo designation on the iS325 storage system utilizing our flagship GigaStor technology," said Simon Huang, Founder & COO, iStor Networks. "This qualification validates high data reliability for our partners and their customers with Microsoft applications such as Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft SharePoint Server and other Microsoft server applications who desire a robust iSCSI storage solution designated for use with Microsoft Windows."

The iS325 Storage System combines the speed of iStor's flagship GigaStor iSCSI network storage controller with the capacity and high availability of a flexible chassis. The iS325 supports up to 15 high capacity Serial ATA drives, providing compelling total cost of ownership for block-based applications such as disk-to-disk backup and secondary storage. Additionally, the iS325 is ideal for SAN extension over IP-based WANs and SAN/NAS consolidation across a single unified fabric. Flexible configurations are offered in 1GbE or 10GbE models, providing the customer with a product family of high-performance storage that addresses the connectivity and network requirements of customer environments along with providing investment protection to scale the storage network for the future.

Microsoft Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) architecture includes the Microsoft iSCSI initiator service, the Microsoft iSCSI Software Initiator driver, as well as various APIs and infrastructure to enable a supportable, manageable iSCSI environment. Available via Web download at no charge (www.microsoft.com/downloads/), the Microsoft iSCSI Software Initiator package is available for Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft. The Microsoft iSCSI Software Initiator is also included as part of Microsoft Windows Vista and Microsoft Windows Server 2008. Microsoft iSCSI architecture includes support for data encryption including Internet Storage Name Service for server and client, management via Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), and an architecture that aggregates the different hardware initiators into a common framework.


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