From: Ganeshan_Bala@EMC.COM
Date: Sun Nov 17 2002 - 11:00:16 EST
Bill,
Thanks for that email. I do work for EMC so my comments will be biased. I
refrained from saying anything until now primarily due to this reason.
However, I do have some point which I believe are important and hence this
email.
First, let me start by correcting a statement-- EMC used to be not only
pricey but also **ARROGANT**. That was due to the simple reason that there
was nothing out there that even came close.
The Symmetrix product line is an excellent product with great AND MATURE
software functionality such as TimeFinder, SRDF, and InfoMover etc. The
CLARiiON also has similar functionality but the software is not as mature as
the Symmetrix.
HDS does make great hardware. If you were purely looking for hardware
performance and no software functionality, it would make more sense to
compare the performance of the CLARiiON CX600 product line with HDS 9970v's.
Putting enough CX600, controllers together to make it comparable to the
9980v (for example, ensuring same amount of cache, front-end fibre ports and
back end ports) will give you more performance than what you can get out of
the 9980v. If you need software functionality, the Symmetrix will take both
HDS and StorageTek to the hoop every time.
StorageTek (and for that matter IBM) OEM the LSI storage product. LSI's
storage array is also good and the performance is very comparable to that of
the CLARiiON array. The prices will also be comparable. If you are trying to
decide between these two vendors, you will have to look past sheer
performance and look at other issues such as service and support, software
functionality and above all EXPERIENCE. EMC has set up more SAN's than
anyone out there and there is a value to this.
In spite of all these points, if you do decide to buy StorageTek, I think
you would be better off going directly to LSI-- after all, isn't the array
theirs and wouldn't they know it better than anybody else? I cannot tell you
how many customers I have dealt with in the last year who have swapped out
their StorageTek arrays for EMC CLARiiON arrays just due to service and
support issues. Let me know if you have any other question. Thanks.
Bala
----------------------------------------------
Bala Ganeshan
Technical Architect
2850 Premiere Parkway
Duluth, GA 30097
Phone: (770) 814-3667
Cell: (678) 463-5741
email: ganeshan_bala@emc.com
----------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Thompson [mailto:bill.thompson@GOODYEAR.COM]
Sent: Sunday, November 17, 2002 9:15 AM
To: aix-l@Princeton.EDU
Subject: Re: EMC or Storage Tek
My 2 cents,
Over the last six years I've worked for three different companies who
primarily used EMC for their storage solution.
EMC *used* to be very pricey compared to the others but they were a
generation ahead of everyone else. And by this I mean they had things like
Timefinder, SRDF, PowerPath long before anyone else. Now that there is less
difference in capabilities there is also less difference in price. Our last
purchase of EMC equipment was because they were the least expensive.
EMC does not have good support, they have *great* support. I've worked with
the support staff for many different vendors and I would give EMC a 10. -
That's not to say you would get less support from Storage Tek.
Vince is somewhat incorrect in the statement "I think both vendors use
Clarion". It depends on what model you're buying from EMC. EMC bought
Clarion some years ago and now has two product lines - Symmetrix and
Clarion. If Clarion is the "Chevy" of disk storage, Symmetrix is the
"Cadillac". I'm not failure with the Storage Tech product but if they are
using Clarion arrays I would think they are simply remarketing what is now
an EMC product.
Everybody's needs are different however in general if you're needs are not
bleeding edge then either of the storage companies will probably work just
fine.
Bill Thompson
Sr UNIX Systems Administrator
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
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----- Original Message -----
From: Vincent D'Antonio, III
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.aix-l
To: aix-l@Princeton.EDU
Sent: Saturday, November 16, 2002 2:29 AM
Subject: Re: EMC or Storage Tek
Rod,
EMC is good but very pricey compared to the others out there. I like the
storage tek products; they have good support and a good track record.
Both companies I think use the same disk Clariion. If you're doing a SAN
might I suggest looking at HDS also, the 9970/9980 are great boxes used
with an inrange director switch you have one hell of a SAN that will
support Unix, Win (anything), plus any tape devices you might have can be
put right on the switch and shared. Out of these three I go with HDS 1
(superscript: st), SKT 2(superscript: nd), and EMC 3(superscript: rd).
Just my two cents worth.
HTH
Vince
Unix Systems Engineer
-----Original Message-----
From: IBM AIX Discussion List [mailto:aix-l@Princeton.EDU] On Behalf
Of Rod Jenkins
Sent: Friday, November 15, 2002 5:02 PM
To: aix-l@Princeton.EDU
Subject: EMC or Storage Tek
I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with either of these
companies. We are looking to buy a EMC CX600 or a Storage Tek D178.
Any input would be appreciated.
Rod Jenkins
UNIX Administrator
Iowa Telecom
IBM Certified Specialist: pSeries AIX System Administration
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