EqualLogic

EqualLogic, Inc. was an American computer data-storage company established in 2001 and headquartered in Nashua, New Hampshire. The company developed storage-area-network systems based on Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI), using standard Gigabit Ethernet and later 10 Gigabit Ethernet networks to connect servers with shared block storage. Its principal product family was the PS Series, originally associated with the PeerStorage name. The company was founded by Peter Hayden, Paul Koning, and Paula Long. Between 2001 and 2004 it raised $52 million from investors, including Charles River Ventures, TD Capital Ventures, Focus Ventures, and Sigma Partners. EqualLogic reportedly considered an initial public offering on Nasdaq, but instead accepted an acquisition offer from Dell in 2007. The all-cash transaction was valued at $1.4 billion and was completed through the absorption of EqualLogic in late January 2008. At the time, the deal was described as the highest price paid for a venture-backed company. EqualLogic’s technology emphasized scale-out storage rather than a single large controller system. Multiple arrays could be combined into a group, with the group presenting storage volumes to servers over an iSCSI network. Arrays could use different hardware generations and RAID configurations within the same group, while software handled provisioning, balancing, and data movement. This architecture allowed customers to expand capacity and performance by adding members instead of replacing an entire platform. A group could contain up to 16 arrays and, according to product documentation summarized in reference material, could provide more than 1.5 petabytes of capacity. The PS Series included rack-mounted arrays and the PS-M4110 blade-enclosure model. Product configurations supported different combinations of hard-disk and solid-state storage, with automated movement of frequently accessed data toward SSD media in supported systems. Dual controllers provided redundancy and load balancing. The product family evolved from 1 Gigabit Ethernet models such as the PS4100, PS6100, and PS6200 to 10 Gigabit Ethernet models including the PS4110, PS6110, and PS6210. Related NAS offerings, including the FS7500 and FS7600, used Dell FluidFS with EqualLogic arrays as the underlying storage platform. After the acquisition, Dell retained EqualLogic as a recognizable storage brand and positioned it alongside Compellent and PowerVault. EqualLogic products became part of Dell’s broader enterprise-storage portfolio, while the original standalone corporation ceased operating as an independent company. The brand is therefore best understood as a discontinued corporate entity whose technology and product identity continued within Dell’s storage business. The reference material describes several PS and FS generations, but does not establish a current sales or support status for individual models.

EqualLogic was formed in 2001 in Nashua, New Hampshire, by Peter Hayden, Paul Koning, and Paula Long. It entered the enterprise-storage market with a scale-out architecture built around iSCSI, a protocol that carries SCSI storage commands over IP networks. This approach allowed organizations to deploy shared block storage using Ethernet infrastructure rather than relying exclusively on specialized Fibre Channel networks. During its independent period, EqualLogic attracted venture financing and raised $52 million between 2001 and 2004. Its backers included Charles River Ventures, TD Capital Ventures, Focus Ventures, and Sigma Partners. The company grew around the PS Series, initially associated with the PeerStorage name. Rather than concentrating all storage capacity and processing in a single large system, the platform combined multiple arrays into a managed group. Customers could create pools and volumes, mix hardware generations, and expand the environment by adding arrays. Redundant controllers and multiple network interfaces supported availability and load distribution. The product range expanded across different performance, capacity, and deployment requirements. PS4100, PS6100, and PS6200 systems used 1 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, while later PS4110, PS6110, and PS6210 models offered 10 Gigabit Ethernet options. Higher-density PS6500 and PS6510 systems addressed larger environments. The PS-M4110 adapted the platform to a dual half-height blade form factor for Dell M1000e enclosures. EqualLogic also appeared in NAS configurations using Dell FluidFS, including the FS7500 and FS7600 systems. EqualLogic considered an initial public offering on Nasdaq, but Dell made an acquisition proposal before that plan came to fruition. Dell agreed in 2007 to purchase the company for $1.4 billion in cash. The transaction was notable because it was described as the largest price paid at that time for a company financed by venture investors. The acquisition was completed through absorption in late January 2008. Following the transaction, Dell maintained EqualLogic as a product identity within its storage business. EqualLogic became one of Dell’s SAN lines alongside Compellent and PowerVault. The original EqualLogic corporation was no longer an independent operating company, but its iSCSI arrays, management concepts, and product generations remained associated with Dell’s enterprise-storage offerings. The available reference material documents the architecture and model families but does not provide sufficient information to establish a complete chronology of later Dell product announcements, executive appointments, marketing campaigns, or end-of-support dates.

• 2008

  EqualLogic is absorbed by Dell

  [1]EqualLogicen.wikipedia.org

  The acquisition is completed in late January, ending EqualLogic’s existence as an independent company.

• 2007

  Dell announces acquisition

  [1]EqualLogicen.wikipedia.org

  Dell agrees to acquire EqualLogic in a reported all-cash transaction worth $1.4 billion.

• 2004

  Venture financing reaches $52 million

  [1]EqualLogicen.wikipedia.org

  The company has raised $52 million from investors during its 2001–2004 financing period.

• 2001

  EqualLogic is founded

  [1]EqualLogicen.wikipedia.org

  Peter Hayden, Paul Koning, and Paula Long establish EqualLogic, Inc. in Nashua, New Hampshire, to develop enterprise data-storage systems.

• 2001

  The PS Series begins

  [1]EqualLogicen.wikipedia.org

  EqualLogic develops its PeerStorage-branded, later PS Series, iSCSI storage arrays using Ethernet networking and a scale-out architecture.

Enterprise and midmarket shared storage focused on scale-out iSCSI networking, simplified management, controller redundancy, and incremental expansion through the addition of storage arrays.

• iSCSI storage-area-network arrays

  PS Series

  The PS Series was EqualLogic’s main storage platform and later the core Dell-branded EqualLogic line. Arrays connected to servers through iSCSI over Gigabit or 10 Gigabit Ethernet. Multiple members could be combined into groups, divided into pools, and presented as volumes. The architecture supported incremental scaling, mixed hardware generations, redundant controllers, and several RAID configurations.

• rack-mounted iSCSI SAN arrays

  PS4100 and PS4110

  The PS4100 family provided rack-mounted EqualLogic arrays with 1 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, while the comparable PS4110 family used 10 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces. Configurations varied by disk type and capacity. These systems formed part of the later PS Series generations and could participate in scale-out groups with other compatible arrays.

• rack-mounted iSCSI SAN arrays

  PS6100 and PS6110

  The PS6100 and PS6110 families targeted larger or more demanding deployments. PS6100 models used 1 Gigabit Ethernet controllers, while PS6110 models offered 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity. The series included multiple disk configurations and supported RAID 6, RAID 10, and RAID 50. Members could be combined into groups for shared capacity and performance.

• high-capacity iSCSI SAN arrays

  PS6500 and PS6510

  The PS6500 and PS6510 families were higher-density EqualLogic SAN platforms. The PS6500 used Gigabit Ethernet network interfaces, while the PS6510 offered 10 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, including optical connectivity options on supported configurations. They were designed to scale with other PS members in larger storage groups.

• blade-enclosure SAN array

  PS-M4110

  The PS-M4110 placed EqualLogic SAN storage in a dual half-height blade form factor for Dell M1000e enclosures. It could communicate with blade servers inside the enclosure and with external systems through supported switching and passthrough options, creating an integrated server, storage, and networking configuration.

• NAS systems

  FS7500 and FS7600

  The FS7500 and FS7600 were network-attached-storage systems using Dell FluidFS in combination with EqualLogic arrays. The FS7600 represented a second-generation system and supported 10 Gigabit iSCSI connectivity between the file-system controllers and the storage backbone. The reference material identifies a maximum system size of 509 TB for these EqualLogic-based configurations.

• 2008

  Integrate EqualLogic into Dell’s storage portfolioStrategy

  Background

  After completing the acquisition, Dell had to position EqualLogic alongside its other storage businesses.

  Action taken

  Dell absorbed the company while retaining EqualLogic as a SAN product identity alongside Compellent and PowerVault.

  Aftermath

  The independent EqualLogic corporation ceased operating, while its iSCSI technology and product families continued under Dell branding.

  Source

• 2007

  Accept Dell’s acquisition offerM&A

  Background

  EqualLogic was considering an initial public offering, but Dell offered to acquire the venture-backed storage company.

  Action taken

  EqualLogic accepted Dell’s all-cash offer, reported at $1.4 billion.

  Aftermath

  The transaction was completed in early 2008, and EqualLogic became part of Dell’s storage portfolio rather than pursuing an independent listing.

  Acquisition value. $1.4 billion (2007 acquisition announcement)

  Source

1. 1EqualLogicen.wikipedia.org