SAN JOSE and SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Cisco added another important business continuance application to the list of those supported by Cisco ONS 15540 Extended Services Platform with Hitachi Data Systems qualifying the metro-DWDM (Dense Wave Division Multiplexing) platform as interoperable with Hitachi TrueCopy(TM) data replication software in accordance with test protocols developed by the companies, the two companies announced today. The qualification confirms that Hitachi TrueCopy can operate over a Cisco ONS 15540-based optical transport network according to the demanding specifications set by both companies. TrueCopy applications that can run over such a network include synchronous data replication for near-instantaneous and identical copying of data at two or more data centers dispersed by as much as 100 kilometers. This means that Hitachi Freedom Storage(TM) users should have highly reliable access to the latest versions of their data, even in the event of failure at the primary site -- a key requirement for maintaining business resilience. Several hardware components are covered by this qualification. As a result of the overall tests, Hitachi Data Systems confirmed interoperability of TrueCopy over the Cisco ONS 15540's Fibre Channel and ESCON links, the two most popular storage-networking protocols that the software supports. Hitachi Data Systems also qualified the Cisco ONS 15540 for hardware compatibility with its Freedom Storage(TM) Lightning 9960(TM) and its new Lightning 9980V enterprise-class storage systems. "Many of our TrueCopy customers, especially those in large metropolitan areas, are considering DWDM as a storage area network extension technology," said Scott Genereux, vice president, Global Marketing and Business Development, Hitachi Data Systems. "The qualification of TrueCopy with the Cisco ONS 15540 means that customers can use proven technologies for applications that take advantage of data replication capabilities such as application development, data warehousing/data mining, and backup/recovery. This is a good first step in what we expect to be a series of successful joint storage and optical projects between the two companies that will deliver even more value for our customers." Cisco Systems Inc. Hitachi Data Systems (HDS)