NetApp to build MARS waystation from flash dev's kit

Will spit out top secret February product after swallowing CacheIQ

Exclusive El Reg hears that NetApp has a CacheIQ SSD product coming out in February next year, which will act as an ONTAP accelerator, like the Avere products.

This info comes to us indirectly from a person directly associated with NetApp's plans. Such a product could be a stopgap before the MARS flash array - background here - or a waystation to the full MARS software suite using MARS hardware.

NetApp bought the flash tech dev firm CacheIQ just a few weeks ago.

We're checking to find out more, and have had it confirmed by a person familiar with what's coming that NetApp will be making a broad flash announcement at that time, although the details we have are wrong.

NetApp CTO Jay Kidd has said we should expect NetApp flash products in 2013, while CEO Tom Georgens has said CacheIQ product would come first, because of its non-disruptive operations which enable transparent data migration. CacheIQ has IP in this area.

We fully expect NetApp to dance a flash fandango in February, but we don't expect a hologram of Freddy Mercury at the announcement - that would be too flashy. ®