3PAR announced that the 3PAR InServ Storage Server has been successfully certified with VMware ESX Server 3.5, a component of VMware Infrastructure 3 that provides increased levels of automation and higher performance. This certification means that 3PAR InServ Storage Servers are listed on the VMware qualified Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) for VMware ESX Server 3.5. With this certification, joint VMware and 3PAR customers can now benefit from the latest VMware server virtualization features such as Storage VMotion.

"We have built a virtualized server and storage environment using VMware and 3PAR," said Tim Suttle, Director of IS Infrastructure for TechSoup (formerly CompuMentor). "With this qualification, we now have the confidence and assurance that the latest features can be leveraged within our virtualized infrastructure."

3PAR also announced that all components of 3cV , an innovative blueprint for the virtual datacenter, are now all fully certified with VMware ESX Server 3.5. 3cV is comprised of the 3PAR InServ Storage Server, HP BladeSystem c-Class, and VMware infrastructure. Together, these systems form a utility computing offering that enables customers to gain instant agility and potentially halve their server, storage, and operational costs.

One of the highlights of VMware ESX Server 3.5 is Storage VMotion, which enables live migration of virtual machine disks from one data storage system to another with little or no disruption or downtime. For 3PAR customers, Storage VMotion can be used to migrate virtual machine disks from legacy storage arrays onto the 3PAR InServ Storage Server utility storage array.

"Customers want solutions that just work," said Benjamin S. Woo, IDC Vice President, Enterprise Storage Systems. "The certification of 3PAR on VMware ESX 3.5 and the continued focus on 3cV is an example of 3PAR's continuing commitment to deliver and support a solution that is proven and effective."

"The certification of 3PAR InServ Storage Servers on VMware ESX Server 3.5 demonstrates the ongoing commitment made by 3PAR to deliver a comprehensive storage platform for utility computing," said David Scott, President and CEO of 3PAR. "Our 3cV customers depend on this increased interoperability to enable their ongoing utilization improvements, business agility, and administrative efficiency."