Dell has introduced its latest storage area network (SAN) array, the MD3000i, a simplified storage consolidation solution designed specifically for SMB customers.

The Dell MD3000i claims to be an easy-to-use, expandable iSCSI SAN array leveraging the modularity and availability of the Dell Modular Disk series.

"iSCSI is a breakthrough technology revolutionising storage for SMBs," said Praveen Asthana, director, Global Storage, Dell. "The MD3000i delivers features that a few years ago would have only been found on systems costing five to 10 times more. Complexity is the bane of the SMB customer's existence, and iSCSI cuts right through it."

The new storage system includes task based configuration and management software; shares same hard drives as Dell PowerEdge servers; runs over existing Ethernet networks by delivering storage (SCSI) commands over IP networks and supports SAS or SATA Hard Disk Drives2Dual Active/Active RAID controllers and Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems.

"At Dell, our goal is to provide the SMB customer with a complete iSCSI-based infrastructure. This includes our PowerEdge servers, our PowerConnect network switches and PowerVault storage options that are all designed specifically for iSCSI. This solution makes it easier for our customers to get and grow the capacity they need," said Praveen Asthana.