Hitachi Data Systems has bought a stake in network-attached storage specialist BlueArc. The pair will flog each other's kit worldwide in a bid to snatch leadership from NetApp in the $1bn high performance computing storage market.

The 5-year plan is for Hitachi to get access to vertical markets which are reliant on high performance file-level NAS systems - entertainment, life sciences, oil and gas - where start-up BluArc has been successful with its Titan range. HDS has hitherto been best known for big block-level enterprise storage.

In return, the undisclosed cash injection will boost BlueArc's coffers on its struggle to profitability (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/02/11/netapp_bluearc/). It'll also get better global reach through HDS' channel relationships, and some hefty enterprise-class boxes to backup its virtualised NAS platform.

HDS reckons its relative lack of progress in NAS through past relationships, including with NetApp (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/04/15/hds_adds_nas_gateway_by/), won't be a problem. The pair are gunning for a highly specific set of performance-led customers where BlueArc already has traction, and its own big gear should find a natural home, reckons HDS CEO Dave Roberson. In a conference call, he said: "No one can match us at this point."

NetApp ramped up its own efforts (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/06/12/netapp_ontap_gx/) in high performance storage in June by launching ONTAP GX, the delayed fruit of its 2003 acquisition of Spinnaker. HDS' info on its new venture is here (http://www.hds.com/products_services/nas/high-performance.html). ®

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