Most data-center storage systems being shipped today still use traditional block-based technology. But much of the current information explosion involves unstructured content such as digital media, which is often stored in file-based systems.

Although the balance is shifting to file-based storage (which analysts say is easier to provision and manage with virtualized servers), a typical enterprise will have to manage both types of storage for a long time.

combines file-based and block-based storage in one system. EMC took aim at the technology last year with its VNX platform, an array that can be configured partly for block storage and partly for files. For smaller organizations, it introduced the VNXe, a fully unified system. Both can reduce power consumption, space requirements and management costs, says Eric Herzog, vice president of product management and product marketing for unified storage at EMC.