VMware has been the market leader in the server virtualization world.  But, are other virtualization tools catching up?  Industry leaders believe VMware will remain the best, but will businesses begin to deploy multiple virtualization platforms?  While this consideration flies in the face of recommended best practices, the sheer financial consideration to do so may result in the emergence of virtualization tool management software.  Check out this article to learn more.

thinkASG is one of the first IBM Business Partners nationwide to achieve this unique and coveted recognition.   With our investments in IBM System Storage skills and resources we can more effectively help our clients realize the benefits of leveraging IBM best of breed storage solutions. The specialization validates thinkASG and our capabilities to design and deliver storage solutions based on IBM technologies. This accomplishment is derived from a combined measure of sales and technical certifications, client references, and our annual volume IBM System Storage solutions.   We are now eligible for a variety of benefits we provide directly to our clients, including direct access to IBM’s team of Client Technical Specialists, exclusive IBM Storage Specialty education...

Not all storage controllers are crated equal.  Review the details below for a measure of individual drive performance. Question: Do you know of a study of like 2.5” 10K drives against 3.5” 15K drives? (2.5” 10K 600GB vs. 3.5” 15K 600GB drives) I keep getting like answers, but no real documentation to back it up. Answer: Before I begin, I would like to point out that the disk drive is not 100% responsible for the performance of a storage subsystem. You cannot predict the performance of a storage subsystem by the drives alone. Meaning that two different subsystems, with the exact same drive type and count will provide different performance levels. The “secret sauce” is in the controller firmware, and how it handles the I/O’s from the host. This is how the DS3500 ca...

thinkASG technical architects and engineers are second to none. Allow us this opportunity to share with you some of our latest achievements. We think we’ve earned some bragging rights and we hope you will be as impressed as we are proud. IBM sets high standards to earn these rewards. Hats off to our incredibly talented technical team that has worked diligently to attain these most prestigious of achievements.   #1  Rochester Pre-Release Advisory Board We have technical architects on the Rochester pre-release advisory board. They help validate what IBM technology is being developed and released to market .   #2  IBM Technical Certification Test Authoring Team We have technical engineers that are on the IBM technical certification test authoring team. Our engi...

Hot Off The Press: Next Generation IBM XIV Storage System Improves Efficiency for Demanding Application Workloads.   XiV Gen3 uses a patented grid architecture to process high-transaction-type workloads, features several hardware improvements, plus a revamped user interface, multi-system monitoring, and improved replication.  Check out the article here.  

Pricing on a per terabyte charge metric for data stored within IBM Tivoli Storage Manager primary pools and IBM Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack repositories Install as many of the bundled components as needed to help protect your environment Easy and fast to measure Can use client compression and Tivoli Storage Manager deduplication to lower terabytes managed

As enterprises transition to flexible and efficient shared IT infrastructures -- the foundation for cloud computing -- they are increasingly turning to virtualization to gain greater value and improve efficiencies. They are also seeking ways to reliably meet recovery point objectives within compressed timeframes. To address these evolving requirements, NetApp is strengthening its industry-leading portfolio of Integrated Data Protection solutions with its new NetApp SnapProtect management software. SnapProtect software combines efficient, high-speed NetApp Snapshot copies and replication with tape in a single backup solution to help organizations improve the speed, efficiency, and simplicity of their backup and recovery operations. Link to full article: http://finance.yahoo.com/new...

On May 24, 2011, IBM announced the System Storage DCS3700, a new high density storage system designed for compute- and bandwidth-intensive applications. An expandable, high performance, highly scalable system offering 60 drives with dual controllers in 4U at an entry-level starting price. High-density SAS controller subsystem 60 x 2TB 7.2k NL SAS drives (SSD and SAS to be released soon) in a single 4U enclosure Host attachment options of 8Gbps FC or 10Gbs iSCSI, and/or 6Gbps SAS Competitively priced ‚Äì fully populated enclosure (120TB raw) with 8Gb FC Host Cards                

IBM cut licensing prices in HALF for their Storwize V7000 External Virtualization Software. Each IBM Storwize V7000 Disk Control Enclosure has the ability to attach and manage external storage devices on the SAN in the same way as the SAN Volume Controller. To authorize use of this function, the user licenses the IBM Storwize V7000 External Virtualization Software, 5639-EV1. Subsequently, the prices for a 2, 3, 4, or, 5-Year Maintenance Registration were also cut in half. Call thinkASG at 949-777-0400 to learn more. IBM Main Storwize Intro Page URL: (there are some videos on this page) IBM Product Page for Storwize Link to Storwize Data Sheet

The recent security breach at Sony Playstation division (see 5/18/11 WSJ), once again illuminates the threat that all company's face today. Every week there is a new story about a data breach - either via hacking, theft or unencrypted lost tape/drives - all cost these companies a huge some of real money, and a black eye in the press. Protecting data (yours and your customers) is not only often a requirement (SOX, HIPAA, PCI, etc), it can be a necessity in protecting your product and image. Are you making every effort to protect your company? If you would like to meet and have a discussion on how to best protect yourself, please call me. For Sony, this breach is estimated to cost them over $1B. How much would a breach cost your company?