Dell’s Got a New Little Virtualization Friend, Xsigo Dell has tapped Xsigo to provide I/O virtualization so it can connect servers to multiple networks and storage and optimize data centers.

Dell, which now says it offers virtualized solutions end-to-end, is supposed to resell all of Xsigo’s widgetry and work with the start-up on technology roadmaps and reseller resources.

Seeking purchase in the market, Dell say it will offer Xsigo’s I/O Director as an option on its servers and storage, offering users the chance to manage I/O resources across heterogeneous platforms from a single console instead of being limited to a single manufacturer.

The widgetry, which works with Dell’s PowerVault, EMC and EqualLogic storage, should eliminate the restrictions of physical I/O ports so I/O resources can be deployed to servers on-demand.

The pair puts it a bit more dramatically saying it “it leashes data center management from the physical constraints of server I/O” and calling it a “quantum leap ahead of competitive products.”

Xsigo’s I/O virtualization covers both IP and Fibre Channel, which should improve quality of service for specific applications or virtual machines, and lower both capital and operational costs by cutting infrastructure costs, unifying server I/O management and eliminating I/O bottlenecks.

The widgetry handles up to 64 server I/O connections per server through a single cable equating to a 69% TCO savings. Without Xsigo, stringing together 120 server should cost $1.4 million in I/O; with it, it drops to $316,000

Xsigo consolidates the I/O infrastructure and replaces physical networks and storage interfaces – think NICs and HBAs – with virtual resources that can be deployed on-the-fly.

Xsigo claims 100 times faster I/O configuration management; 30% less power consumption; 70% fewer I/O cards, cables and switch ports; and predictable I/O bandwidth to applications via hardware-enforced QoS.

It’s supposed to remove the constraints of traditional I/O cards and cables that limit flexibility in redeploying assets. No more re-cabling. Configuration changes are made in the software.

Pricing for the Xsigo Virtual I/O system starts at $30,000.