Dell VP Russ Holt today said the company is working on a “sub-entry” SAN platform for release later this year. Speaking to analysts on a conference call, Holt described the elements of the product: “Aligning with that platform is the delivery of a low-cost HBA solution and a low-cost switch solution, so we we’ll see a much lower cost of entry for SAN solutions.”

The small to medium-sized business (SMB) market is considered fertile ground for storage vendors. SAN makers obviously want in: Hewlett-Packard Co. and Network Appliance Inc. are already attacking the market, and startup XIOtech Corp. recently announced a new entry-level SAN.

Holt gave few details about the low-end system, but there have been whispers that Dell and EMC will co-brand two lower-end versions of the Clariion SAN they currently sell. Dell, which manufactures the lowest end of three current Clariion systems that it co-brands with EMC, would manufacture the new system. The two companies earlier this month announced an upgrade of the existing Clariion line.

EMC spokesman Dave Farmer would not confirm a lower-end Clariion is on the way. “We have said we will continue to scale our platform up and down,” he said.

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