IBM rolling out server storage strategy.

IBM will unveil a new twist to its network computing strategy today by introducing technology for managing the gobs of data that many companies now make available online. Big Blue will roll out an overarching plan for providing Storage Area Networks, or SANs, far-ranging storage architectures that are coming into vogue among corporate clients. Referring to a "centrally managed, secure information infrastructure" that allows access to all kinds of data regardless of the proprietary operating systems or technologies already in place at a company, IBM will provide broad interconnection schemes linking up disparate server computers and storage systems. Typically, a SAN will have several storage devices, each available from several servers, compared to the earlier approach of assigning each server a storage system of its own. IBM is touting the broad initiative as the "next big wave in network computing" and part of its aggressive thrust into e-commerce. The initiative will include servers, storage systems, and services. Putting a SAN together involves a relatively complex, arcane amalgamation of hardware, software, and services--in other words, it requires the "big iron" capabilities for which IBM is known. But the need for SANs may be more widespread. IBM is estimating that by the year 2002, 70 percent of all medium-and large-sized customers will implement SANs as they turn more and more toward e-commerce. Other companies, including storage maker EMC, are eyeing the market as well. At a center in Gaithersburg, Maryland, IBM also plans to establish a storage solution interoperability labs for customers, its vast constellation of business partners, and computer companies. In February, Vanderslice indicated IBM would move deeper into storage and SANs. Later this year, IBM will announce a SAN-ready Storage server based on IBM_s Seascape Architecture, an "open" technology which forms the basis of all of IBM_s corporate enterprise storage solutions.