IBM's Aperi Group to Snuggle Up With SNIA

June 27th, 2006:The software-developing, open source-based entity formed by IBM in response to SNIA, is to join SNIA.

It is being reported that, following the defection of Sun Microsystems to the Storage Networking Industry Association's (SNIA) system management interface specification (SMI-S), group last week, IBM will move its own initiative within SNIA's auspices.

Founded in October, 2005, Aperi has been seen as a slap in the face not only of SNIA's SMI-S but also to competitors such as Boston-based EMC. In fact, IBM has always claimed that it saw its open source storage management developments as complementary to those of the association. Big Blue's bugbear was that SNIA was simply taking too long to develop a global standard.

Both parties are attempting to produce a unified standard that will enable end users to manage the many disparate strands of storage (from a multitude of vendors all of who would benefit from 'lock-in').

One of the main points of difference between the two groups is that, while Aperi has developed code and software, SNIA's charter disbars it from taking the same route; it is very much a setter of standards. However, speaking to a source close to SNIA, IDM was told that entity is looking to change its charter to enable such code building in future.

Therefore, if the rumours of IBM's volte face are rendered into reality, storage administrators world-wide could breath a massive sigh of relief as the holy grail of interoperability is finally delivered.

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