Storage UPDATE, December 22, 2003

1. Commentary

- Windows Future Storage

2. News and Views

- EMC Acquires VMware

- Linksys Releases NAS Device

3. Announcements

- Announcing a New eBook: "Content Security in the Enterprise--Spam and Beyond"

- Take Our Print Publications Survey!

4. Resource

- How to Troubleshoot "Stop 0x0000007B" Error Messages That Occur When You Run Windows 2000 Setup

5. Event

- New--Microsoft Security Strategies Roadshow!

6. New and Improved

- Backup and Recovery Software Adds Diagnostic Tools

- Tell Us About a Hot Product and Get a T-Shirt!

7. Contact Us

- See this section for a list of ways to contact us.

==== Sponsor: ====

The Windows & .NET Magazine Network VIP Web Site/Super CD Has It All!

If you want to be sure you're getting everything the Windows & .NET Magazine Network has to offer, then you need a subscription to the VIP Web site/Super CD. You'll get online access to all of our publications, a print subscription to Windows & .NET Magazine, and a subscription to our VIP Web site, a banner-free resource loaded with articles you can't find anywhere else. Click here to find out how you can get it all at 25% off!

http://www.winnetmag.com/rd.cfm?code=edep273lup

==== 1. Commentary ====

by Mark Smith, [email protected]

Windows Future Storage

Cataloging, sharing, and finding documents have always been problems, but these problems are becoming increasingly difficult as the number of stored documents increases. Microsoft is working on a solution by making significant changes to the Windows file system. The new file system, called Windows Future Storage (WinFS), will debut with Longhorn, the next major release of Windows that's expected to arrive in late 2005. WinFS will have a big effect on how we deal with and store documents.

WinFS is a database layer that sits on top of NTFS. The database will contain information about each document that will let WinFS-aware applications find, relate, and act on those documents in a way that isn't possible with NTFS alone. To use the WinFS capabilities, application developers will need to upgrade from the Win32 API to the new WinFX API set, which contains the commands necessary to manipulate the WinFS database.

With WinFS, you'll be able to use a natural-language query to find data. For example, you might type "Show me all the documents written by Mark Smith on the subject of storage," and the WinFS query engine would retrieve those documents. You'll also be able to expand your search to include users who work on documents as a project team or department. These formal and informal relationships provide key information regarding document sharing and utilization. For example, you might type "Find all PowerPoint documents for the road show project" to produce a list of documents created by anybody who's part of the road show project group. WinFS will let you act on those files and relationships. For example, you might type "Send all Excel files that are part of the road show project that have been updated this week to my management team," and WinFS will be able to understand the various parts of the query and act on it.

WinFS will have implications on how you store documents. Today, we think of Microsoft Office documents as flat files that are stored in shares. We typically store such documents on Direct Attached Storage (DAS) or a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device. Database files are much larger files that are stored on DAS or Storage Area Network (SAN) devices. Under WinFS, the flat file documents and the database that describes them will be tightly coupled. A record in the WinFS database will exist for each underlying file, and whenever a document is created, modified, deleted, backed up, or restored, WinFS will manipulate the document and the WinFS database together. As a result of this document/database marriage, storage management applications will have to be optimized for WinFS.

Because the WinFS specification is still under development, I can only speculate on its effects on storage management, but here's my early take on the subject. First, WinFS will require a WinFS-database-aware backup process. Most likely, a company will have one WinFS database that describes all documents across the enterprise. When the database is backed up, the backup program will need to look at individual WinFS records to make sure that the underlying documents are also being backed up. Because WinFS will support document version control, all versions of the underlying documents will need to be backed up.

Second, to maximize performance in this database/file scenario, backup architectures will need to be optimized for both flat files and large database files. Using today's storage technology, the ideal WinFS storage device would be a SAN with a NAS head. This combination device would provide the optimization for large database files as well as the performance necessary for small document files. And you can easily expand the SAN as the company's document storage needs grow.

Finally, a WinFS-aware backup will need to understand the nature of the underlying files. This understanding will let backup and recovery vendors provide much more granular recovery schemes because restore applications will understand the underlying file type and structure. For example, you'll be able to put the WinFS query engine into an end-user recovery application, which will let the user type an instruction such as, "Restore the previous version of the building project Word files that were created by the legal department into a directory called 'restored legal docs.'" The WinFS query engine will be able to deconstruct the components of this instruction and provide the recovery application with a list of the files that need to be recovered. And because most data will be backed up to disk, these restores will take only seconds to perform.

The goal of WinFS is to make the collection of knowledge located in an enterprise's documents more accessible to everyone in the organization. Pulling this off will require a storage infrastructure that's optimized for WinFS database queries, real-time backup and recovery, easy expandability, and data security. Administrators who have experience running highly active database servers in a SAN environment will have an advantage when planning for a future WinFS storage infrastructure.

==== 2. News and Views ====

by Keith Furman, [email protected]

EMC Acquires VMware

EMC continued its acquisition spree, which most recently included the purchase of backup-software company Legato Systems and document-management company Documentum, by buying privately owned software company VMware. EMC will acquire VMware, which develops virtual-computing software, for approximately $635 million in cash. According to EMC, VMware's virtualization technology fits into EMC's plan to promote the creation of a single pool of available storage and computer resources. The VMware technology lets customers more easily configure and reconfigure computer and storage environments dynamically, without downtime.

VMware is one of two large companies that develop and sell virtualization technology. The other company is Microsoft, which tried to acquire VMware earlier this year but instead acquired the assets of competitor Connectix. VMware runs on any Intel-compatible hardware and enables multiple OSs, including Windows, Linux, and Novell NetWare, to run concurrently on the same system.

The acquisition is expected to be complete by first quarter 2004. VMware will operate as a software subsidiary of EMC and will be based in Palo Alto, California. VMware is a profitable company, and no layoffs are expected as part of the acquisition.

http://www.emc.com

http://www.vmware.com

Linksys Releases NAS Device

Linksys, a division of Cisco Systems and a company best known for its small office/home office (SOHO) networking gear, has announced a new network storage device. The EtherFast Network Attached Storage 120GB (EFG120) IDE network storage device supports file and print sharing. The device has a second drive bay that lets users increase storage to 370GB, or to 500GB by replacing both drives in the device. The Linksys EFG120 includes networking support for 10Mbps, 100Mbps, and 1000Mbps (gigabit) networks, as well as 802.11g wireless support. The device also includes a DHCP server, FTP server, and disk utilities such as backup, scan disk, and defragmentation. Linksys didn't disclose which OS was running on the device. The device is available now and starts at $849.

Linksys is targeting the device at its core market of SOHO customers. The device shows the increased demand for and popularity of storage devices by everyone from home users to large enterprises. Steve Troyer, director of product marketing for Linksys, said, "Similar to large enterprise data centers, small businesses are increasingly needing additional storage capacity for databases, presentations, video, graphics, and other large file size content. With the Linksys storage disk add-ons, the small office user can begin to enjoy the benefits of shared storage and increased storage capacity at an affordable price."

http://www.linksys.com

==== 3. Announcements ====

(from Windows & .NET Magazine and its partners)

Announcing a New eBook: "Content Security in the Enterprise--Spam and Beyond"

This eBook explores how to reduce and eliminate the risks from Internet applications such as email, Web browsing, and Instant Messaging by limiting inappropriate use, eliminating spam, protecting corporate information assets, and ensuring that these vital resources are secure and available for authorized business purposes. Download this eBook now free!

http://www.windowsitlibrary.com/ebooks/spam/index.cfm

Take Our Print Publications Survey!

To help us improve the hardware and software product coverage in the Windows & .NET Magazine print publications, we need your opinion about what products matter most to you and your organization. The survey takes only a few minutes to finish, so share your thoughts with us at

http://websurveyor.net/wsb.dll/12237/editorsproduct.htm

==== 4. Resource ====

How to Troubleshoot "Stop 0x0000007B" Error Messages That Occur When You Run Windows 2000 Setup

Do you receive a Stop 0x0000007B error message and a blue screen when you run Setup to install Windows 2000 Server, Win2K Advanced Server, Win2K Professional, or a Win2K service pack? This combination of symptoms can be indicative of several underlying problems. To learn how to troubleshoot such Setup-related errors, click the URL below.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=822051

==== 5. Event ====

(brought to you by Windows & .NET Magazine)

New--Microsoft Security Strategies Roadshow!

We've teamed with Microsoft, Avanade, and Network Associates to bring you a full day of training to help you get your organization secure and keep it secure. You'll learn how to implement a patch-management strategy; lockdown servers, workstations, and network infrastructure; and implement security policy management. Register now for this free, 20-city tour.

http://www.winnetmag.com/roadshows/computersecurity2004

==== 6. New and Improved ====

by Renee Munshi, [email protected]

Backup and Recovery Software Adds Diagnostic Tools

Yosemite Technologies announced that its TapeWare 7.0 backup and recovery software will support and ship with Quantum's DLTSage predictive and preventive diagnostic management tools. TapeWare 7.0 is a high-performance, multiplatform backup and disaster-recovery software solution for desktops, workgroups, and servers. DLTSage is a new architecture-based suite of intelligent, predictive, and preventive diagnostic offerings that enables TapeWare customers to better monitor and manage their tape storage environments. TapeWare 7.0 is available for sale worldwide through a network of OEM partners; for more information, go to the first URL below. To find out more about DLTSage, click the second URL below.

http://www.yosemitetechnologies.com

http://www.dlttape.com

Tell Us About a Hot Product and Get a T-Shirt!

Have you used a product that changed your IT experience by saving you time or easing your daily burden? Tell us about the product, and we'll send you a Windows & .NET Magazine T-shirt if we write about the product in a future Windows & .NET Magazine What's Hot column. Send your product suggestions with information about how the product has helped you to [email protected].

==== Sponsored Links ====

NetSupport

Free Trial - Fast and Easy Network Management. - NetSupport DNA

http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;6823752;8214395;q?http://www.netsupport-inc.com/dna/netsupport_dna_overview.htm

==== 7. Contact Us ====

About the commentary -- [email protected]

About the newsletter -- [email protected]

About technical questions -- http://www.winnetmag.com/forums

About product news -- [email protected]

About your subscription -- [email protected]

About sponsoring UPDATE -- [email protected]

Copyright 2003, Penton Media, Inc.

Windows & .NET Magazine VIP Web Site/Super CD

http://www.winnetmag.com/rd.cfm?code=edep273lup

1. Commentary

- Windows Future Storage

2. News and Views

- EMC Acquires VMware

- Linksys Releases NAS Device

3. Announcements

- Announcing a New eBook: "Content Security in the Enterprise--Spam and Beyond"

- Take Our Print Publications Survey!

4. Resource

- How to Troubleshoot "Stop 0x0000007B" Error Messages That Occur When You Run Windows 2000 Setup

5. Event

- New--Microsoft Security Strategies Roadshow!

6. New and Improved

- Backup and Recovery Software Adds Diagnostic Tools

- Tell Us About a Hot Product and Get a T-Shirt!

7. Contact Us

- See this section for a list of ways to contact us.

==== Sponsor: ====

The Windows & .NET Magazine Network VIP Web Site/Super CD Has It All!

If you want to be sure you're getting everything the Windows & .NET Magazine Network has to offer, then you need a subscription to the VIP Web site/Super CD. You'll get online access to all of our publications, a print subscription to Windows & .NET Magazine, and a subscription to our VIP Web site, a banner-free resource loaded with articles you can't find anywhere else. Click here to find out how you can get it all at 25% off!

http://www.winnetmag.com/rd.cfm?code=edep273lup

==== 1. Commentary ====

by Mark Smith, [email protected]

Windows Future Storage

Cataloging, sharing, and finding documents have always been problems, but these problems are becoming increasingly difficult as the number of stored documents increases. Microsoft is working on a solution by making significant changes to the Windows file system. The new file system, called Windows Future Storage (WinFS), will debut with Longhorn, the next major release of Windows that's expected to arrive in late 2005. WinFS will have a big effect on how we deal with and store documents.

WinFS is a database layer that sits on top of NTFS. The database will contain information about each document that will let WinFS-aware applications find, relate, and act on those documents in a way that isn't possible with NTFS alone. To use the WinFS capabilities, application developers will need to upgrade from the Win32 API to the new WinFX API set, which contains the commands necessary to manipulate the WinFS database.

With WinFS, you'll be able to use a natural-language query to find data. For example, you might type "Show me all the documents written by Mark Smith on the subject of storage," and the WinFS query engine would retrieve those documents. You'll also be able to expand your search to include users who work on documents as a project team or department. These formal and informal relationships provide key information regarding document sharing and utilization. For example, you might type "Find all PowerPoint documents for the road show project" to produce a list of documents created by anybody who's part of the road show project group. WinFS will let you act on those files and relationships. For example, you might type "Send all Excel files that are part of the road show project that have been updated this week to my management team," and WinFS will be able to understand the various parts of the query and act on it.

WinFS will have implications on how you store documents. Today, we think of Microsoft Office documents as flat files that are stored in shares. We typically store such documents on Direct Attached Storage (DAS) or a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device. Database files are much larger files that are stored on DAS or Storage Area Network (SAN) devices. Under WinFS, the flat file documents and the database that describes them will be tightly coupled. A record in the WinFS database will exist for each underlying file, and whenever a document is created, modified, deleted, backed up, or restored, WinFS will manipulate the document and the WinFS database together. As a result of this document/database marriage, storage management applications will have to be optimized for WinFS.

Because the WinFS specification is still under development, I can only speculate on its effects on storage management, but here's my early take on the subject. First, WinFS will require a WinFS-database-aware backup process. Most likely, a company will have one WinFS database that describes all documents across the enterprise. When the database is backed up, the backup program will need to look at individual WinFS records to make sure that the underlying documents are also being backed up. Because WinFS will support document version control, all versions of the underlying documents will need to be backed up.

Second, to maximize performance in this database/file scenario, backup architectures will need to be optimized for both flat files and large database files. Using today's storage technology, the ideal WinFS storage device would be a SAN with a NAS head. This combination device would provide the optimization for large database files as well as the performance necessary for small document files. And you can easily expand the SAN as the company's document storage needs grow.

Finally, a WinFS-aware backup will need to understand the nature of the underlying files. This understanding will let backup and recovery vendors provide much more granular recovery schemes because restore applications will understand the underlying file type and structure. For example, you'll be able to put the WinFS query engine into an end-user recovery application, which will let the user type an instruction such as, "Restore the previous version of the building project Word files that were created by the legal department into a directory called 'restored legal docs.'" The WinFS query engine will be able to deconstruct the components of this instruction and provide the recovery application with a list of the files that need to be recovered. And because most data will be backed up to disk, these restores will take only seconds to perform.

The goal of WinFS is to make the collection of knowledge located in an enterprise's documents more accessible to everyone in the organization. Pulling this off will require a storage infrastructure that's optimized for WinFS database queries, real-time backup and recovery, easy expandability, and data security. Administrators who have experience running highly active database servers in a SAN environment will have an advantage when planning for a future WinFS storage infrastructure.

==== 2. News and Views ====

by Keith Furman, [email protected]

EMC Acquires VMware

EMC continued its acquisition spree, which most recently included the purchase of backup-software company Legato Systems and document-management company Documentum, by buying privately owned software company VMware. EMC will acquire VMware, which develops virtual-computing software, for approximately $635 million in cash. According to EMC, VMware's virtualization technology fits into EMC's plan to promote the creation of a single pool of available storage and computer resources. The VMware technology lets customers more easily configure and reconfigure computer and storage environments dynamically, without downtime.

VMware is one of two large companies that develop and sell virtualization technology. The other company is Microsoft, which tried to acquire VMware earlier this year but instead acquired the assets of competitor Connectix. VMware runs on any Intel-compatible hardware and enables multiple OSs, including Windows, Linux, and Novell NetWare, to run concurrently on the same system.

The acquisition is expected to be complete by first quarter 2004. VMware will operate as a software subsidiary of EMC and will be based in Palo Alto, California. VMware is a profitable company, and no layoffs are expected as part of the acquisition.

http://www.emc.com

http://www.vmware.com

Linksys Releases NAS Device

Linksys, a division of Cisco Systems and a company best known for its small office/home office (SOHO) networking gear, has announced a new network storage device. The EtherFast Network Attached Storage 120GB (EFG120) IDE network storage device supports file and print sharing. The device has a second drive bay that lets users increase storage to 370GB, or to 500GB by replacing both drives in the device. The Linksys EFG120 includes networking support for 10Mbps, 100Mbps, and 1000Mbps (gigabit) networks, as well as 802.11g wireless support. The device also includes a DHCP server, FTP server, and disk utilities such as backup, scan disk, and defragmentation. Linksys didn't disclose which OS was running on the device. The device is available now and starts at $849.

Linksys is targeting the device at its core market of SOHO customers. The device shows the increased demand for and popularity of storage devices by everyone from home users to large enterprises. Steve Troyer, director of product marketing for Linksys, said, "Similar to large enterprise data centers, small businesses are increasingly needing additional storage capacity for databases, presentations, video, graphics, and other large file size content. With the Linksys storage disk add-ons, the small office user can begin to enjoy the benefits of shared storage and increased storage capacity at an affordable price."

http://www.linksys.com

==== 3. Announcements ====

(from Windows & .NET Magazine and its partners)

Announcing a New eBook: "Content Security in the Enterprise--Spam and Beyond"

This eBook explores how to reduce and eliminate the risks from Internet applications such as email, Web browsing, and Instant Messaging by limiting inappropriate use, eliminating spam, protecting corporate information assets, and ensuring that these vital resources are secure and available for authorized business purposes. Download this eBook now free!

http://www.windowsitlibrary.com/ebooks/spam/index.cfm

Take Our Print Publications Survey!

To help us improve the hardware and software product coverage in the Windows & .NET Magazine print publications, we need your opinion about what products matter most to you and your organization. The survey takes only a few minutes to finish, so share your thoughts with us at

http://websurveyor.net/wsb.dll/12237/editorsproduct.htm

==== 4. Resource ====

How to Troubleshoot "Stop 0x0000007B" Error Messages That Occur When You Run Windows 2000 Setup

Do you receive a Stop 0x0000007B error message and a blue screen when you run Setup to install Windows 2000 Server, Win2K Advanced Server, Win2K Professional, or a Win2K service pack? This combination of symptoms can be indicative of several underlying problems. To learn how to troubleshoot such Setup-related errors, click the URL below.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=822051

==== 5. Event ====

(brought to you by Windows & .NET Magazine)

New--Microsoft Security Strategies Roadshow!

We've teamed with Microsoft, Avanade, and Network Associates to bring you a full day of training to help you get your organization secure and keep it secure. You'll learn how to implement a patch-management strategy; lockdown servers, workstations, and network infrastructure; and implement security policy management. Register now for this free, 20-city tour.

http://www.winnetmag.com/roadshows/computersecurity2004

==== 6. New and Improved ====

by Renee Munshi, [email protected]

Backup and Recovery Software Adds Diagnostic Tools

Yosemite Technologies announced that its TapeWare 7.0 backup and recovery software will support and ship with Quantum's DLTSage predictive and preventive diagnostic management tools. TapeWare 7.0 is a high-performance, multiplatform backup and disaster-recovery software solution for desktops, workgroups, and servers. DLTSage is a new architecture-based suite of intelligent, predictive, and preventive diagnostic offerings that enables TapeWare customers to better monitor and manage their tape storage environments. TapeWare 7.0 is available for sale worldwide through a network of OEM partners; for more information, go to the first URL below. To find out more about DLTSage, click the second URL below.

http://www.yosemitetechnologies.com

http://www.dlttape.com

Tell Us About a Hot Product and Get a T-Shirt!

Have you used a product that changed your IT experience by saving you time or easing your daily burden? Tell us about the product, and we'll send you a Windows & .NET Magazine T-shirt if we write about the product in a future Windows & .NET Magazine What's Hot column. Send your product suggestions with information about how the product has helped you to [email protected].

==== Sponsored Links ====

NetSupport

Free Trial - Fast and Easy Network Management. - NetSupport DNA

http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;6823752;8214395;q?http://www.netsupport-inc.com/dna/netsupport_dna_overview.htm

==== 7. Contact Us ====

About the commentary -- [email protected]

About the newsletter -- [email protected]

About technical questions -- http://www.winnetmag.com/forums

About product news -- [email protected]

About your subscription -- [email protected]

About sponsoring UPDATE -- [email protected]