Launching the FileStore service at Storage Expo in London yesterday, Symantec said that the new FileStore software product is being marketed as a tool to help enterprise-class companies economically build onsite cloud infrastructures using commodity x86-based server hardware.

Darren Thompson, Symantec's senior technical director, told Infosecurity that his firm has been using the FileStore technology as the file-based storage architecture in the cloud services it has been offers to consumers this summer.

The cloud service already has around 40 petabytes of online storage for more than nine million active users.

In use, FileStore allows users add - or remove - storage logical unit numbers (LUNs) dynamically without taking the system offline and without disruption to applications.

The could software also integrates with Symantec's Endpoint Protection security software and the firm's Enterprise Vault email, file and instant messaging archive application.

"The market for FileStore includes major enterprises, but we're also offering it to service providers, who will then offer the service to their customers", he said.

Initially, he explained, the cloud technology will support up to two petabytes - with up to 16 service nodes - for enterprise and service provider customers, with plans to support 10 petabytes by next year.

"This technology allows major companies to store a lot of data in the cloud without worrying too much about the mechanics," he said, adding that the service stems directly from Symantec's acquisition of Veritas around five years ago.