End of Sale or End of Life…What Exactly Does That Mean…?
Every six to nine months or so, Dell EqualLogic will release a new EqualLogic product line. Heck, some of you might even still have an EqualLogic PS300E or PS5000E. Out with the old and in with the new…right?
Wrong!
That’s the beauty of an EqualLogic iSCSI SAN solution. You never tear out, rip-out-and-replace, or forklift upgrade your storage area network (SAN). Remember that old PS50E or PS100E? Keep it! The EqualLogic iSCSI SAN architecture is built to add and expand what you currently have to the newer models.
So, when EqualLogic announces an “End of Sale” on their current product line, it simply means that they’re phasing into the new product line and that the old product line (in this case, the EqualLogic S4000, PS6000, PS6010, PS6510, and PS6500 series) will no longer be actively sold or positioned.
In fact, Dell EqualLogic still has a good amount of inventory left on the PS4000, PS6000, PS6010, PS6510, and PS6500 units, all of which still maintain aggressive EqualLogic pricing models. Once Dell ceases manufacturing parts for a particular EqualLogic product line, then this product becomes “End of Life.”
But please note that support for these products will NEVER diminish. Ever. Best advice? Keep up with your ProSupport contracts through Dell EqualLogic. Get these renewed each and every year because if you ever get into a position where you have a very old EqualLogic iSCSI SAN array that needs a replacement part, Dell EqualLogic MUST send you the replacement part or upgrade your entire array at no charge. Not bad, eh?
So, keep that old EqualLogic array in your network…and buy that new one, virtually add it to your existing group or use the old one to replicate to…either way, it’s still good.
