Hitachi

Hitachi Workgroup Modular Storage (WMS)

WMS100

As an entry point to our new midrange systems line, the serial ATA (SATA)-based Hitachi Workgroup Modular Storage model 100 (WMS100) offers high capacity, easy-to-install data storage ideal for small and medium businesses (SMBs). The WMS100 provides the foundation for Services Oriented Storage Solutions, matching requirements for the cost-effective scalability and performance in a small footprint while maintaining the reliability edge provided by renowned Hitachi engineering. Example: Businesses deploying their first storage area network (SAN) are able to move from inefficient and costly server-internal or server-attached storage to a centralized, easy-to-manage configuration. Or those with fast-growing Microsoft Exchange or database applications can quickly catch up and keep pace.

For larger companies, the WMS100 complements the Hitachi Adaptable Modular Storage (AMS), Universal Storage Platform V (USP V), and Universal Storage Platform VM (USP VM) in tiered storage deployments that require common management tools, nearline backup and data movement for data lifecycle management (DLM) applications.

Features

Flexibility

  • Configurations scale from four to 105 hard drives
  • Vertical scaling allows logical unit numbers (LUNs) to span over multiple drive trays
  • Scalable design to add capacity, connectivity and/or performance as needed
  • Supports Fibre Channel and Internet SCSI (iSCSI) host connections
  • Consolidates storage for Fibre Channel and iSCSI SAN
  • Support for all major open systems operating systems (OSs) as well as host bus adapter (HBA) and switch model combinations from major vendors

Availability

  • No single point-of-failure, all dual-controller models fully redundant
  • Major components hot-swappable
  • Battery backup for cache
  • Non-disruptive microcode updates
  • Host failover with HiCommand Dynamic Link Manager software
  • Multipathing support for Windows (MPIO) and Solaris (MPxIO)
  • In-system snapshots, backup and hot-swappable components to avoid downtime and data loss
  • Redundant array of independent disks (RAID)-6 dual parity striping improves availability and ensures reliable RAID group rebuild
  • RAID-5, RAID-1, and RAID-1 0 also supported
  • Hi-Track® "call home" service/remote maintenance tool

High Performance

  • Cache partitioning to optimize application performance
  • Allows up to 512 virtual ports with Host Storage Domains and 512 LUNs for concurrent support of large heterogeneous open systems environments
  • 4Gbit/sec host Fibre Channel connections
  • Four fibre channel loops per drive tray to ensure maximum bandwidth

Simplicity

  • Includes easy-to-use utilities for configuration and management
  • Integrates seamlessly with Hitachi storage systems, managed with a single set of tools using HiCommand Suite software
  • Virtually all Hitachi software products run identically on Hitachi modular models and on Hitachi enterprise storage systems
  • Supports plug-and-play SAN Kits compatible with Microsoft Simple SAN

Security

  • Role-based access to AMS management systems
  • Audit logging keeps track of all system changes

Ideal Applications

  • First SAN deployment with SAN starter solutions
  • Plug-and-play SAN Kits compatible with Microsoft Simple SAN
  • Optimal solution for Microsoft Exchange environments
  • Enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems with an SMB workload (as many as 200 concurrent users)
  • Database applications with moderate workload characteristics
  • Nearline disk-to-disk backup and tape replacement
  • Archival and long-term tamperproof data retention to meet regulatory compliance

Benefits

  • Power Savings option that powers down unused or infrequently used RAID groups
  • Tiered storage deployment with USP or USP VM