Cisco fleshes out unified computing strategy

Cisco Systems has provided further details on its upcoming Unified Computing System, designed as the vendor's first foray into the datacentre and blade hardware market.

The new system will combine networking and storage components with virtualisation kit to create a single combined system.

Cisco revealed this week that the base price for the system, which will include management software and a blade system, will be US$30,852 (£20,820).

The company also fired back at "myths" about the system which have been circulating in the market.

Cisco attempted to dispel worries about the cost and complexity of the system by promising that it will function with existing server hardware and include APIs to integrate with other systems.

The platform also promises to reduce costs by cutting out the need for many of the traditional hardware connecting components required by current set-ups.

"Easier management means more productive IT staff and lowered [operational expenditure]," the company claimed. "Customers can start small and grow. Through the network, the system easily interoperates with their existing legacy infrastructure."