HP Unifies Storage, Eases Virtualization for SMBs

HP is adding to its small business lineup with new unified data storage systems, SANs and a bundled offering that makes server virtualization adoption easier.

The new HP StorageWorks X1000 unified systems and X3000 gateways are based on Microsoft's new Windows Storage Server 2008 operating system unveiled earlier this month, along with HP ProLiant G6 servers and HP Automated Storage Manager software.

HP has made management easier for small businesses with the new systems by letting administrators allocate storage based on capacity and application - say, 100GB for Exchange - rather than through complex storage terminology like LUNs. File-based deduplication can boost capacity by 35 percent, and HP says the systems improve file serving performance by as much as 30 percent.