IBM and eight other storage vendors are teaming up to form an open-source organization initially called Aperi. Aperi name comes from the Latin phrase meaning "to open." The vendors will contribute code to the Aperi effort, with IBM making the first donation of some of its storage infrastructure management technology, according to a release from the company.

IBM's partners in Aperi are Brocade Communications Systems Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., Computer Associates International Inc., Engenio Information Technologies Inc., Fujitsu Ltd., McData Corp., Network Appliance Inc. and Sun Microsystems Inc. This is a roll call of some but not all of the leading storage vendors. Missing are EMC Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co. and Symantec Corp.

The companies intend to work together to develop common storage software to manage different vendors' systems, making it easier for users dealing with disparate storage systems. The software will be made available free of charge.

Source: Computer WorldPrashanth RaiTag(s):OpenSource.