DNF creates new security division

HAYWARD, Calif.—Dynamic Network Factory, a maker of network attached storage, storage area networks, RAID and iSCSI systems, has joined other leading storage manufacturers by opening a specialized division for the security industry. DNF launched DNF Security in March to capitalize on what it calls "double-digit growth" in the IP surveillance market. "We really wanted to formalize our work with the surveillance industry," said DNF Security product manager Jame Ervin. "[Systems integrators] were sourcing everything themselves, which can be very complicated, so we looked to Milestone to help with the management. Now they have everything they need from the switch on—in one package. We've come up with a good solution for surveillance." "It plays into our idea of keeping customers out of proprietary jail," said Lawrence de Guzman, west coast manager for Milestone Systems. "It's decoupling the software from the hardware." Instead of buying an NVR or DVR box, integrators are free to pair Milestone with off-the-shelf DNF storage, or products from a number of other storage providers (see "Storage providers" story, page 1). Milestone also appreciates DNF's history of reliable storage, de Guzman said. "We sell from a value perspective, and in the video space, high availability is one of the key factors." In general, DNF Security is hoping to raise storage's profile in the industry. "One of the things you find with storage," Ervin noted, "is that people just forget about it until there's a problem with it." ssn