When Microsoft announced the removal of Drive Extender from WHS 2011, a number of companies stepped up and announced solutions. One of them was from DataCore and we have some news on their offering.
We have mentioned DataCore previously, including a really good interview between Carlos M. Carreras and our Jim McCarthy.
Who are DataCore?
Here is how they describe themselves:
DataCore Software – The Storage Virtualization Company
Mission: “Make it practical for organizations large and small to remove physical, geographical and device-specific restrictions of data storage equipment that slow down, interrupt or endanger their IT operations.”
DataCore Software Corporation develops the storage virtualization software required by virtual and physical IT environments to get the highest availability, fastest performance and maximum utilization from their online disks. We provide the critical 3rd dimension on which the success of server and desktop virtualization projects hinge, regardless of the models and brands of storage devices used. Our comprehensive, yet hardware-independent solutions fundamentally change the economics of provisioning, replicating and protecting storage for large enterprises and small to midsize businesses.
DataCore clients represent the broad spectrum of IT organizations around the globe, spanning all the major vertical industries. Their physical environments consists of systems from all the major storage manufacturers, including Dell, EMC, Fujitsu-Siemens, Hitachi, HP, IBM, NetApp, and many others.
Corporate headquarters are located in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, with subsidiaries and branch offices in North America, Europe and Asia.
DataCore storage virtualization software is sold through authorized distributors and integration partners across the world, many of which also specialize in server and desktop virtualization solutions. DataCore does not sell directly to end-users. 24×7 post sales technical assistance is provided through a highly talented customer service organization operating from key support centers in the U.S., U.K and Japan.
What’s New Then?
Last night we were told by DataCore that a public beta of their Windows Home Server 2011 product should be available later this month, with a full release some time in Q2 of this year.
More details on how to sign up to the beta will be available soon, so keep checking UWHS for more information.
They also told us that they have decided to make the add-in available for anyone to buy, and not just to have it available to OEM’s. They haven’t settled on a price yet, so again, watch this space.
The add-in will deliver three main areas of functionality:
- Drive Pooling
- Mirroring
- Caching
Out of the three Drive Extender replacement solutions (this one, StableBit and Drive Bender), this is one that I personally am most interested in.
This is for a number of reasons. Firstly they are working very closely with the Windows Home Server team at Microsoft – very closely. This can only be a good thing. Secondly, they are a long established company with a history of doing this type of solution and have based the WHS 2011 add-in on their existing solution. And thirdly, they haven’t rushed to get a beta out of the door – they have waited until the product is stable enough, and is ready to be properly tested.
This isn’t a dig at the other guys, far from it. For any other type of add-in I would be all over it, testing the hell out of it, but for something offering this type of solution, I am not willing to risk my data until I am 1000% happy with the product and the company.
So for me, right now, DataCore are leading the way in delivering that solution to me.
What do you guys think?
For more information on DataCore and their offerings, check out their website here
“What do you guys think?”
Same as you! For me DataCore seems to be the only company who is _really_ able to offer a reliable and safe drive extender solution!
I agree with your points. However I was somewhat disappointed to hear that it is a RAID type of solution and not a new type of drive pooling or duplication. I still feel a bit apprehensive towards RAID. Hopefully DataCore will change my mind.
Lets see if a few weeks how well it works 🙂
I look forward to seeing their Beta.
One of my concerns is that they do not support USB or Firewire attached storage.
Unless DataCore intends to change business practices for WHS 2011, they will most likely not have allot of following from the average home user.