EqualLogic Selects Xyratex to Manufacture Its Newest iSCSI Storage Array

Xyratex, a leading provider of storage enclosures for OEMs and Solution Integrators, today announced that it has signed an OEM integration agreement with EqualLogic, the leading provider of enterprise-class iSCSI storage area network (SAN) solutions. Under this agreement, Xyratex will manufacture EqualLogic's PS3000 Series storage arrays using Xyratex's ultra high-performance Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) EBOD storage enclosure, the RS-1603-E3-EBD. The entire solution -- consisting of EqualLogic designed controllers containing EqualLogic's patented intelligent system software, Xyratex's EBOD storage enclosure and SAS drives -- will undergo thorough quality control and integration testing to ensure the highest level of quality and performance. "During a comprehensive search for capable suppliers, Xyratex's advanced global manufacturing capabilities met our rigorous quality assurance and control requirements," said Peter Hayden, executive vice president of operations for EqualLogic. "Xyratex's history of efficiently manufacturing customized product designs on demand made them an excellent fit for EqualLogic's business model. This relationship enables us to effectively scale our manufacturing output to meet the demand for our innovative products in the fast-growing IP storage market." The PS3000 is powered by EqualLogic's system controller technology and patented SAN management software, which enables advanced storage management features, including virtualization, flexible data segmentation, multiple performance tiers in a single SAN, data replication and many other sophisticated capabilities. Combining EqualLogic's unique peer storage architecture with Xyratex's value-added manufacturing and system test capabilities, the EqualLogic PS3000 Series enables enterprises of all sizes to deploy and manage storage according to cost and performance considerations. "EqualLogic is well known for its advanced SAN management and ease of use. EqualLogic's rigorous quality controls and disk and system testing processes have established a long-standing reputation for producing top quality storage technology products," said Todd Gresham, executive vice president of storage and network systems at Xyratex. "EqualLogic's choice of Xyratex's integration expertise and the selection of our SAS EBOD for its latest family of storage arrays validates that the broader storage industry is embracing Xyratex's unmatched manufacturing, testing and logistics value proposition. We look forward to helping EqualLogic continue their rapid growth and customer satisfaction." Designed to address demanding high-performance application requirements, the EqualLogic PS3000 Series, manufactured by Xyratex, adds storage arrays with 10,000 rpm and 15,000 rpm SAS drives to EqualLogic's portfolio of SATA-based offerings. The PS3000 Series delivers more customer choice in performance and capacity across tiers of consolidated storage.