End of Sale or End of Life…What Exactly Does That Mean…?
NOTE: Dell End-of-Life policies may change over time. Please refer to your specific equipment warranty and replacement policies.
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?
Well, not necessarily!
That’s the beauty of an EqualLogic iSCSI SAN solution. You don’t have to tear out, rip-out-and-replace, or forklift upgrade your storage area network (SAN) every time there is a new model release. 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 (there may be some limitations reaching back more than 5 years or across certain architectures). But for the most part, you can virtually “glue” members together and extend their useful life.
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 (at the time of this writing, the EqualLogic S4000, PS6000, PS6010, PS6510, and PS6500 series) will no longer be actively sold or positioned.
But please note that support for these products will continue based on their End-of-Life plan, usually 3-5 years, sometimes more. Best advice? Keep up with your ProSupport contracts through Dell EqualLogic. Get these renewed each and every year to maximize your value.
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.
You can get Dell EqualLogic Pricing without having to contact a sales person or fill out a long form, complements of Federal Appliance. You will get your quote quickly, often within seconds.Comments
3 Responses to “End of Sale or End of Life…What Exactly Does That Mean…?”
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PS6500/PS6510 are not being phased out with the 4000/6000/6010. Support ends 5 years after EoL, not indefinitely.
Thank you for your comment, Alan. I checked directly with the Dell EqualLogic service renewal team on the facts here just in case what they shared with me last has become “obsolete”…
For EqualLogic’s legacy gear, the End of Life date is April 18, 2013. If a client needs a part for them, they will no longer have them.
The EqualLogic service renewal team is able to quote arrays up to seven (7) years of service.
Perhaps “phasing out” was a bit too strong in word choice. The PS4000, PS6000, PS6010 / PS6510 are still going to be sold while inventories are available for them, but once those inventories are depleted Dell EqualLogic will only be selling the new PS4100 / PS6100 series.
Dell’s explanation of support for EOL products is misleading and confusing. My Dell rep refused to renew the support contract on my PS400e past the EOL date. Quoting from Dell’s web page, “support for these products will NEVER diminish.” If we cannot renew the contract, then Dell’s promise is worthless. I need straight answers. Will Dell sell support on my PS400e? If not, say so, so I can plan properly.