Mark,
Since you know when you need total solution, you will choose other vendor, such as Auspex, Sun ... Why you didn't choose them at the first beginning ?
Anyone have a prediction for how long it will be (if ever) until
NetApp is
a software only company? For example, Compaq produces a server
running a
NetApp OS.
I predict 2 years.
I rather hope NetApp don't become a software only company because it would mean poorer quality software and overly complex hardware maintenance in a very short period of time after the decision was implemented.
How many people would pay a few grand for a CD containing a NetApp
OS that
could be installed on any PC (albeit with a limited hardware
selection)
and a software license?
I'd rather (get someone to) pay lots of cash up front for the Rolls-Royce approach. As it is, my time as a contracted SA is very expensive to my ultimate employer but I'm happily managing TB's of data because of some very shrewd h/w and software purchasing, of which NetApp is a very significant part. So my vfm to my employer is acceptable to them...
The day we can no longer get NetApp boxes will probably be the day when we revert to Sun, SGI or even Auspex for a total solution approach. There are companies out there who do the software only approach, but I've yet to hear of anyone betting their multi-billion dollar/year enterprise on them.
Chris