HP Launches Windows-Powered NAS Box for SMBs

Hewlett-Packard has unveiled a lightweight version of its Windows-based network-attached storage (NAS) array that's aimed at small-to-medium-sized businesses.

Based on the same architecture as the HP X5000-series NAS box, the new X5000 devices for SMBs use 2.5-in drives and can scale to 32.4TB. The older X-5000 devices use 3.5-in hard drives and now scales to 48TB in a single unit.

Both the new and older X5000s run the Windows Server OS.

HP's original X5520 G2 Network Storage System, which runs NFS and CIFS file protocols, is aimed at the same midrange market as NetApp's FAS 3020 filer. The array can now accept 3TB drives (it's past capacity was 2TB drives) meaning it can scale to 48TB in a base 3U (5.25-in high) form factor and, using expansion units, up to 192TB in a 15U form factor.

HP's X5520 G2 Network Storage System NAS array

HP said the new X5520 NAS will target companies looking to address the proliferation of unstructured data brouught on by the proliferation of employees using personal devices at work.

The SMB version of the X5520 can scale to 36 drives for up to 32.4TB in a 3U high base unit and, with expansion units, it can scale to so 122TB in a 15U form factor.

Both X5000 systems use 6Gbps SAS hard drives.

The HP X5520-series NAS array is built on a blade server architecture using active-active controllers, meaning that if one fails, the other continues to operate and no data is lost.

The X5520 series NAS array comes native with data deduplication, compression and file-classification features, allowing users to achieve up to 40% unstructured data reduction, according to Britt Terry, HP Storage's product marketing manager.

The X5520 starts at $31,317 for a 16TB model using 7200RPM hard drives.