HP is also enhancing its HP StorageWorks EVA4000 SAN Starter Kit, Fitze said. Previous versions of the kits had users choose a switch and host bus adapter (HBA), while this kit bundles everything, he said. HP is partnering with Emulex Corp. and Brocade Communications Systems Inc. to provide the 4GB/sec Light Pulse E 1150 HBA and the switch, respectively, he said.

In addition, in the previous version, the HBA, switch and storage array components each had their own management software. The enhanced kit adds a single software product, EZPilot, for configuration and startup, McIntyre said. EZPilot was developed by Emulex and Brocade.

The EZPilot software makes it easier for users to set up a SAN in comparison with the existing version of the HP StorageWorks EVA4000 SAN Starter Kit, Fitze said. The EZPilot software discovers the HBA and the switch, helps the user configure each, and then helps the user do a base configuration of the EVA array itself, he said.

With the new EZPilot software, users can now set up a SAN in 20 minutes, McIntyre said. HP is also selling the HP StorageWorks EVA4000 SAN Starter Kits to channel partners who can add value, such as by factory-configuring the hardware in a rack, Fitze said.

(Sharon Fisher of Computerworld (US) contributed to this story)