Dell pairs with Xsigo on virtual I/O
Xsigo Systems - which back in September 2007 launched an in-band I/O virtualization appliance that cuts the hard-coded links between servers, storage, and networks and completely virtualizes those connections - has landed its first tier one server partner and distributor: Dell.
Dell is particularly excited by its partnership with Xsigo because unlike rivals IBM and Hewlett-Packard in the blade server market, it does not have its own I/O virtualization gadgetry. And technically speaking, Dell still doesn't have any, because it has not acquired the upstart Xsigo, which is itself a bit of a mystery unless the company's owners want more money than Dell is willing to pay. Presuming it was willing to pay at all, of course.
The fact is, Dell needs what Xsigo has on the I/O virtualization front if it wants to compete with HP and IBM. HP created its VirtualConnect I/O virtualization for its c-Class BladeSystem blades and got the technology, which virtualizes the links from blade servers to network switches and SANs, out the door about six months late in February 2007. IBM got into the virtual I/O racket for its blade customers back in November 2007 with its own Open Fabric Manager for its BladeCenter blade servers.
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