F5 Networks Unveils New Software Releases for ARX File Virtualization System

The F5 ARX file virtualization devices enable organizations to dramatically simplify data management and reduce storage costs, according to F5 Networks (News - Alert).

 

Now F5 Networks has unveiled new software releases that will upgrade its File Virtualization systems with new capabilities making companies to have better control over storage costs, improved capacity utilization and forecasting, and the potential to unlock maximum value from their existing file storage assets.

 

F5 Networks deals in Application Delivery Networking (ADN) focused on ensuring the secure, reliable and fast delivery of applications.

 

F5 has also unveiled "ARX Fast Start" package in North America for customers to realize the benefits of virtualization in an easier and cost effective way. F5 has stated that companies that are trying to bring down costs in this turbulent economy will find their solutions very helpful in achieving that goal.

 

F5 has said that storage environments are complex, inflexible, inefficient and rapidly expanding and it is necessary for companies to manage the stored file data and also contain storage costs. The turbulent economy has forced companies to restrain their IT budgets but at the same time they also want solutions that are cost effective and efficient in storage utilization. Storage insiders are indicating that they are turning to products like F5 ARX file virtualization solutions to achieve their cost-cutting objectives and make better use of the technology they already own.

 

ARX solutions is designed to help companies dramatically reduce file storage capital and operating expenses. By employing ‘automated tiering’ policies the solution can easily integrate lower-cost or capacity-optimized storage technologies into the existing storage environment. Virtualization eliminates "islands of storage" to improve capacity utilization on existing systems. 

 

The company has stated that all F5 ARX file virtualization solutions are powered by Data Management Operating System that is at the core of the intelligent file virtualization solutions. This reliable, scalable software can help clients manage unstructured file data more efficiently, by automating storage management tasks and eliminating the disruptions associated with those tasks.

 

F5 has released version 5.0 of this OS with new features to simplify automated tiered storage deployments and enhance data protection and recovery.

 

While the benefits of storage tiering has been long enjoyed by larger enterprises, F5 hopes to bring those same benefits to small and medium businesses as well. F5's newly announced "ARX Fast Start" pack is for customers with storage environments supporting up to 500 users and 800 Mbps in throughput.

 

The company has said that the “ARX Fast Start” package promotion is for North America only and it will be valid until September 30, 2009. The F5 ARX with Data Management Operating System version 5.0 and Data Manager Version 2.5 will be available in May 2009.