Tiered Storage: Attune Systems And Data Domain Partner To Deliver Flexible, Cost-Effective Tiered Storage Management Solution

Attune Systems, Inc., a provider of enterprise-class file virtualization solutions, and Data Domain, a leading provider of Deduplication Storage systems, recently announced the availability of an integration of Attune's Maestro File Manager and Data Domain's line of deduplication storage systems for a comprehensive tiered storage solution that lowers storage costs. The two companies also announced Interwoven as the first customer for the combined solution.

Enterprises are faced with an explosion in data growth, as well as increased compliance regulations, data protection requirements and the need for quick restoration and disaster recovery capabilities. The combined Attune/Data Domain solution offers an answer to these problems by applying Data Domain's deduplicated storage as a cost-effective target for a broad range of secondary or nearline workloads such as archiving, backup and DR. Attune's Maestro file virtualization product implements policy-based file management across the entire storage ecosystem, allowing files to be automatically placed in appropriate tiers at the time they are created and migrated to different tiers during the data lifecycle.

"Using our Data Domain system and Attune's Maestro File Manager in conjunction with our existing Network Appliance and Windows-based NAS allows us to implement a storage architecture using best-in class products," said Raymond Lockley, manager Core Systems at Interwoven. "With Maestro, we can transparently and non-disruptively ensure files are stored on the right platform based on performance, cost and availability requirements. Maestro treats our Data Domain system as a live file system storage tier. This allows us to cost effectively and efficiently deduplicate without impacting our user community."

"Data Domain's new support for a broad variety of nearline workloads beyond backup has moved deduplication into areas that were historically served only by standard filers or SAN storage," said Brian Biles, vice president of product management for Data Domain. "The combination of Attune and Data Domain will allow users to take advantage of the benefits of data deduplication and file virtualization in a highly integrated fashion."

Housing archive data and backup data on a Data Domain storage tier can result in substantial upfront savings compared to Tier-1 primary storage, and provides recurring savings through reduced utility costs. By maintaining archived data and other files (such as VMware virtual machine images, or ".vmdks") on a Data Domain storage tier, customers can achieve a number of additional efficiencies:

• Store data in appropriate tiers while leveraging the benefits of automatic data deduplication
• Implement nearline archiving transparently across multiple physical locations using automated policies
• Leverage a common platform for both disk-based backup and archiving to reduce backup times, decrease time to recovery and increase storage optimization.

"We are excited to partner with Data Domain, a leader in deduplication storage systems," said Alan Kessler, CEO of Attune Systems. "This is a very powerful solution that offers our joint customers the opportunity to automatically place and migrate files among storage tiers, including those comprised of Data Domain systems. Data Domain systems deduplicate data inline and also compress the data transparently, allowing users to more efficiently optimize storage resources."

About Attune Systems
Attune Systems solutions reduce file management complexity for enterprise, government, and education storage environments while slashing operating costs and increasing scalability. The company's flagship product, the Maestro File Manager, is a file virtualization appliance that helps IT administrators discover, analyze, manage, and optimize their existing, heterogeneous file storage resources without impacting end users.

File virtualization is the low-risk, high-impact first step towards implementing an effective File Area Network (FAN). Attune's investors include Alloy Ventures, GF Private Equity Group, LLC, Quicksilver Ventures, Rock Creek Capital, RWI Ventures, Shea Ventures, and Shoreline Venture Management. For more information, please call 877-GO-ATTUNE (877-462-8886) or visit the company's website at www.attunesystems.com

ABOUT DATA DOMAIN
Data Domain is a leading provider of Deduplication Storage systems for a broad range of nearline storage applications including disk backup, archiving and network-based disaster recovery. Over 1,200 companies worldwide have purchased Data Domain's storage systems to reduce costs and simplify data management. Data Domain delivers the performance, reliability and scalability to address the data protection needs of enterprises of all sizes. Data Domain's products integrate into existing customer infrastructures and are compatible with leading enterprise backup software products. To find out more about Data Domain, visit www.datadomain.com.

SOURCE: Attune Systems, Inc