HP builds a bridge for isolated data centres

Feb 24, 2005: In an effort to integrate server and storage management operated from different data centres, Hewlett-Packard has released new software that aims to unify resources held in different areas.

The idea behind HP Storage Essentials is to simplify the IT infrastructure administration and to increase collaboration without the users losing control.

Steve Duplessie, the founder and senior analyst of the Enterprise Strategy Group, claims that: "No other vendor is providing consolidated storage and server management that is this tightly integrated. This is a better way to manage infrastructure.

"It is a holistic heterogeneous management that will provide greater insight into IT issues that impact business practices."

HP says that HP Storage Essentials integrates seamlessly with HP Systems Insight Manager, the company's cross-server and storage management platform.

Bob Schultz, the senior vice president and general manager of the StorageWorks Division at HP, added: "Simply put, HP is changing the economics of management in the data centre by eliminating the management islands. Because we deliver basic infrastructure management with HP servers, BladeSystems and storage platforms, customers can start their journey to the Adaptive Enterprise without a large investment.

"And by unifying server and storage management, HP enables customers to simplify their IT environment without sacrificing control."

The key advantages of the HP Storage Essentials include the ability to allow users to monitor and align storage tiers. It also helps them to virtualise and automate server and storage management, allowing users to shift resources and capacity easily.

HP still top dog in hardware but sharks are circling