Microsoft Windows Powered Network Attached Storage (NAS) is supported in a storage area network (SAN) when used with the HP StorageWorks NAS b3000.

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

The HP b3000 is an MSA 1000 SAN with a ProLiant NAS Server. Both of these products are individually certified on Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL).

Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server on an MSA 1000 is a supported configuration.

The Microsoft Exchange and File Storage Consolidation solution with the HP b3000 solution provides Microsoft-supported best practices for operating Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server within a SAN-based environment while providing NAS-based file services. For more information, see the "References" section.

Support

• Hewlett-Packard Company supports HP StorageWorks NAS b3000.
• Microsoft Corp. supports Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server.

For more information about Windows Powered NAS, visit the following Microsoft Web site to read the white paper:This white paper explains the following topics:

• An overview of configuration, sizing, and deployment information
• Best practices for the implementation of the “NAS/SAN Fusion: Microsoft Exchange and File Storage Consolidation solution”
• The benefits of implementing NAS/SAN fusion with Exchange 2000 and the HP StorageWorks NAS b3000
• How Windows Powered NAS can successfully co-exist with your SAN-based Exchange 2000 infrastructure