Comments on: NetApp Suing Sun over ZFS http://blog.scottlowe.org/2007/09/05/netapp-suing-sun-over-zfs/ The weblog of an IT pro specializing in virtualization, storage, and servers Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:30:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: slowe http://blog.scottlowe.org/2007/09/05/netapp-suing-sun-over-zfs/#comment-33255 slowe Thu, 06 Sep 2007 20:47:24 +0000 http://blog.scottlowe.org/2007/09/05/netapp-suing-sun-over-zfs/#comment-33255 Alex, I wouldn't go quite that far, but it does seem odd to me that a) either Sun would wait this long to release ZFS if they the technology before WAFL's release in 1999, or b) that they would wait this long to take NetApp to task, if indeed WAFL infringed upon Sun patents. Personally, I don't see how WAFL can infringe upon Sun patents, since WAFL predates ZFS rather considerably, although it may not be ZFS that Sun was pestering NetApp about (Sun claims that NetApp was seeking access to StorageTek patents). I have a fair amount of respect for Sun, although they do some crazy stuff from time to time. You have to wonder how much better the company would be if they would get rid of the sales and marketing people and let the engineers run the company. Alex,

I wouldn’t go quite that far, but it does seem odd to me that a) either Sun would wait this long to release ZFS if they the technology before WAFL’s release in 1999, or b) that they would wait this long to take NetApp to task, if indeed WAFL infringed upon Sun patents. Personally, I don’t see how WAFL can infringe upon Sun patents, since WAFL predates ZFS rather considerably, although it may not be ZFS that Sun was pestering NetApp about (Sun claims that NetApp was seeking access to StorageTek patents).

I have a fair amount of respect for Sun, although they do some crazy stuff from time to time. You have to wonder how much better the company would be if they would get rid of the sales and marketing people and let the engineers run the company.

]]> By: Alex http://blog.scottlowe.org/2007/09/05/netapp-suing-sun-over-zfs/#comment-33250 Alex Thu, 06 Sep 2007 11:26:42 +0000 http://blog.scottlowe.org/2007/09/05/netapp-suing-sun-over-zfs/#comment-33250 I've got a few years experience with NetApp hardware. <a href="http://yro.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=289377&cid=20489545" rel="nofollow">One Slashdot comment</a> struck me; WAFL has been a part of NetApp filers since 1999 (or earlier). Why did Sun have no problems until now? Sun is a monster and ought to be destroyed. ;) I’ve got a few years experience with NetApp hardware. One Slashdot comment struck me; WAFL has been a part of NetApp filers since 1999 (or earlier). Why did Sun have no problems until now? Sun is a monster and ought to be destroyed. ;)

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