Seagate ST3750330NS SAS System Builder Resource Guide: System builders info on - Page 2

INTRODUCTION A significant change has been underway in the server and storage business for some time. Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) has become the preferred interface for hard drives in servers and storage products- particularly from large manufacturers like HP, IBM, Sun and Dell, and increasingly from channel-oriented companies like Intel, Supermicro, AIC and Chenbro. In fact, by mid-2009 the SCSI interface will not be produced by major hard drive manufacturers. This transition by the industry's leading hard drive and server manufacturers threatens to leave system builders behind if they do not prepare for this change. But it also offers a great opportunity to those builders willing to adapt and learn. The purpose of this document is to give system builders information regarding the transition, to highlight the business opportunities for developing 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch SAS systems for their customers, and to furnish a matrix that will help system builders find companies providing SASenabled products. Small Form Factor SAS- Becoming the Standard Gartner predicts 2.5-inch SAS drives will be the industry standard by the end of 2008. HP, IBM, Dell and Sun have already moved their industry-standard servers and storage products to SAS configurations- particularly small form factor SAS. For instance, nearly all HP G5 series servers use 2.5-inch SAS drives. What this means is that thousands of SAS-enabled servers are available in the market and in the distribution channel every quarter. The Benefits of SAS: • SAS infrastructure supports both SAS and SATA drives on the same backplane • Lower total cost of ownership • SAS systems are scalable to more than 16 devices • Dual-port provides high availability • SAS utilizes SCSI middleware • SAS system is universal controller Small Form Factor Business Opportunity for System Builders While HP has fully embraced SFF SAS for industry standard servers, other manufacturers have expanded their product lines in this area-giving ample opportunity for system builders to compete. As our matrix in this document shows, many manufacturers who sell through the channel have products that are SAS-enabled, well-known companies like: LSI, Adaptec, Intel, AIC, Chenbro and Supermicro. For System Builders Not Currently Building Servers If you are not currently building servers or storage systems, now is the time to add SAS servers and storage systems to your product portfolio. Seagate Value Proposition You can rely on drives from Seagate, the number-one enterprise drive manufacturer in the world, and you can expect our support in enabling this new market. Seagate is investing heavily to promote SAS and small form factor SAS technology in the channel. We will be training system builders on SAS and small form factor SAS technology through the Seagate Partner Program and will be working with distributors to bring you business opportunities and bundles with other leading channel companies⎯to bring better value to you and, at the end of the day, higher margins.