Convergence of Storage I/O and Networks.
Traditionally computers have utilized parallel channels like SCSI to achieve high speeds at low error rates but limited to very short distances. LANs optimized long distances but at expense of speed and error rates. The rise of distributed Client/ Server architectures forced high speed for LANS while serial storage interfaces such as Fibre Channel together with highly optimized file systems running real-time OS are creating the new paradigm - Direct Attach Storage. By providing direct data transfer between storage and client, network attached storage improves Scalability while increasing performance.

A high growth Market
The market will experience a tremendous growth since inherently all shared storage that is used in multi-user severs is a candidate as Direct Network Attached Storage. From Legacy Mainframe Systems to PC LAN Servers. Companies like EMC, Symbios, Tandem, Sun, Network Storage Solutions, IBM, StreamLogic, and a number of others have joined the fray to capitalize on this very large market. Earlier start-ups like Network Appliance and Auspex provided the missionary work on shortening the client to data latency with efficient file systems.

The Network Storage Report covers a wealth of inside information and is unique since it is written and edited by experienced engineers and marketeers, industry veterans who spent over 20 years each designing and marketing RAID and Network Storage products themselves.

This is why we are targeting a readership that includes virtually the entire leadership of the data storage industry - executives at IBM, Seagate, EMC, Quantum, Fujitsu, HP, Microsoft, Cheyenne, Adaptec, DG Clariion, Sony, Novell, Exabyte, Read Rite... market channels providers at Ingram, Techdata, Merisel, Datalink, GBC... Wall Street analysts at H&Q, Solomon, Montgomery alongwith opinion makers at Infoworld, PC Week, Computerworld ...etal