Dell updates Compellent system, storage portfolio

Dell updated its storage lineup with the first major release since acquiring Compellent nearly a year ago. The company also bolstered its portfolio with software that can span Dell's various acquired storage products.

The company launched its new Dell Compellent Storage Center firmware and expanded its ties with VMware. The new Compellent system has a 64-bit operating system, allows for thin provisioning and integrates VMware software.

According to Dell, Compellent Storage Center 6.0 will allow enterprises to do full copy offloads, delegate deployments of virtual machines and integrate with VMware's vSphere 5.

Dell's Compellent update was the headliner of a storage portfolio update. Dell also introduced:

• A DR4000 deduplication and data protection system. The system includes technology acquired by Ocarina. It is also focused on SMBs.
• A SharePoint optimization system, which includes Dell's DX Object Storage Platform and services to integrate Microsoft's social and collaboration software.
• And certifications for Brocade 16GB FC and Force10 10GbE networking gear.

Connecting these tools is Dell's "fluid data" management software, which aims to integrate applications, storage, data protection, disaster recovery and data retention.

Bob Fine, director of product marketing for Dell's storage unit, said that the company's software is designed to tie together acquired systems and "provide the right foundation to add in other technology."