Xserve RAID
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Xserve RAID is a mass-storage device offered by Apple Computer. Xserve RAID holds up to 14 hot-swappable Ultra-ATA hard drives, and current models have a maximum capacity of 7 TB when filled with 500 GB modules. Xserve RAID can be configured for most RAID levels. It is rack-mountable and is 3U high.
Xserve RAID manages its hard drives with two identical RAID controller chipsets. The controllers are independent, but not redundant; each manages seven of the storage array's fourteen drives, given a failure of one of the controllers the other cannot take over its duties. Xserve RAID does, however, have redundant cooling units and power supplies. Xserve RAID's ports are two Fibre Channel ports for regular data transfer, a 10/100 Ethernet port for remote management, and a serial port for UPS communication via the Simple Signaling Protocol.
Apple markets Xserve RAID mainly as a companion to Xserve in file server and high-performance technical computing applications, but the storage array is also useful in some professional environments such as non-linear video editing. Also, Apple has certified Xserve RAID for use with some other vendors' servers, such as those running Windows Server 2003 or Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Due to the cross-platform support available, users do not need a Mac to administer the Xserve RAID. Apple ships a CD-ROM with the device containing the Xserve RAID Admin Tools, a Java software application that runs on most operating systems -- including Microsoft Windows, Linux and Sun Solaris.
Xserve RAID is available in models costing between $5,999 and $12,999, plus configuration and support options.
[edit] External links
- Apple: Xserve RAID
- AlienRAID Xserve RAID on non Apple environments.
| Apple hardware since 1998 | |
|---|---|
| Consumer Macs: | iMac | iMac G3 | iMac G4 | iMac G5 | iMac Core Duo | iMac Core 2 Duo | Mac mini | eMac | iBook | MacBook |
| Professional Macs: | Power Macintosh G3 | Power Mac G4 | Cube | Power Mac G5 | Mac Pro | Xserve | PowerBook G3 | PowerBook G4 | MacBook Pro |
| iPods: | iPod | iPod mini | iPod photo | iPod shuffle | iPod nano |
| Accessories: | AirPort | iSight | Cinema Display | Xserve RAID | Mighty Mouse | iPod Hi-Fi |
| Italics denote discontinued products | |
