IBM continued its summer parade of storage launches this week, this time taking aim at higher end enterprises.

The high-end DS8000 series gets a proper update with two new models. The DS8100 Turbo and DS8300 Turbo, based on POWER5+ processors, have 4Gb/s fibre channel, and FICON for fast connection to mainframes. IBM claims a raft of other improvements for the duo, with better options for tiered storage, disaster recovery implementation, and value. Prices start at $213,400, and the kit will be available in November.

IDC storage analyst Eric Sheppard told The Reg the addition of FATA should fit in nicely with IBM's disaster recovery play.

IBM's relationship with NAS specialist NetApp bore more fruit in the shape of new N-series gear. IBM System Storage N7600 and N7800 scale up to 504TB of enterprise-class storage starting at $140,500. Gateway models start at $113,500 and can be attached to Hitachi and HP systems already in place.

NetApp EVP Tom Georgens said: "The introduction of the products represents a significant milestone in NetApp's strategic relationship with IBM."

Sheppard said IBM's relationship with NetApp is especially vital for Big Blue's high-end storage relationships. Because customers don't have to go through a NetApp reseller, the potential is for IBM to minimise its competition in NAS, he added.®

Related stories

• IBM goes crazy with storage system updates (23 October 2007)
• IBM extends NetApp line (17 November 2006)
• IBM makes mainframes simpler (4 October 2006)
• HP shrinks StorageWorks (19 September 2006)
• IBM beefs up storage portfolio (11 September 2006)
• IBM sends Power5+ downstream (29 August 2006)
• NetApp raises expectations on Q1 results (17 August 2006)
• Analysis Storage vendors seek summer of love with SMBs (16 August 2006)
• Sun takes Storagetek modular (11 August 2006)
• Comment IBM System p5: bigger, better, faster (4 August 2006)
• IBM continuously backs up consumers (21 July 2006)
• Server misfire dampens IBM's Q2 (18 July 2006)