Apple Introduces Xserve RAID Storage System

Apple today introduced Xserve™ RAID, the first 3U rack storagesystem with a massive 2.5TB storage capacity, blazing performance of upto 400MBps and the industry’s most aggressive price point of justover $4 (US) per gigabyte.

A unique architecture delivers the massive storage density andincredible performance of Xserve RAID. Fourteen independent ATA/100drive channels provide up to 2.5TB of storage. Dual independent RAIDcontrollers with up to 1GB controller cache memory providefully-redundant storage. And a dual 2Gb Fibre Channel host interfacedelivers unprecedented performance. Each 180GB Apple Drive Module usesa dedicated drive channel, maximizing the 400MBps industry-standardFibre Channel host connection. Xserve RAID scales in capacity andperformance by adding more drives, or more Xserve RAID systems forvirtually unlimited expansion. And, in an industry first, Xserve RAIDprovides RAID level 5 throughput that supports affordable realtime HD1080i video editing.

“Xserve RAID is an industry breakthrough product, offering upto 2.5TB of high-performance redundant storage at just over $4 pergigabyte--a fraction of the cost of storage from Dell, HP, Sun orEMC,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice presidentof worldwide product marketing. “Xserve RAID features dualindependent RAID controllers for redundant storage, a dual 2Gb FibreChannel interface for ultra-high performance, and dual power suppliesfor peace of mind, all starting at just $5,999."

“No other vendor comes close to offering the compellingperformance, density and value of Xserve RAID in a 3U storagesystem—-plus it’s got Apple’s trademark ease of useand setup,” said Jon Moog, CIO, RiskWise, a leading provider ofreliable high volume, realtime risk management services for missioncritical operations in Internet companies, banks, and othercredit-lending organizations. “After seeing the specifications ofXserve RAID, we were excited and thought it would make a perfectcompanion to our 120 Xserve servers. After seeing the price, we placedan order.”

The unique serviceability and redundancy features of Xserve RAID aredelivered by an accessible enclosure, modular component design, andcontinual visual feedback for local monitoring. Redundant hot-swappower and cooling modules can be replaced in seconds without anyinterruption of service and in the event of a drive failure, access todata remains unaffected while data is automatically rebuilt on a sparedrive. The indicator lights on the front and rear panels display statusat a glance for all system components and a built-in audible alarmprovides local failure notification.

With Apple’s legendary ease of use, the included Java-basedRAID Admin software provides detailed event information about thesystem and in the event of a problem automatically sends emailnotification. RAID Admin provides an intuitive interface for settingup, managing and monitoring multiple Xserve RAID systems from anywhereon the Internet over TCP/IP through a secure encrypted password. Inaddition, using Apple’s new Rendezvous™ networkingtechnology, RAID Admin can also automatically discover and connect toXserve RAID systems over any IP network.

Xserve connects easily to Xserve RAID using the dual channel 2GbApple Fibre Channel PCI Card sold separately at an industrybreakthrough price of $499 (US MSRP). This high-speed industry standardstorage interface offers dedicated bandwidth with a throughput of up to400MBps. Apple’s PCI card comes with two high-speed 2.9m coppercables and accepts SFP (Small Form-factor Pluggable) copper or opticaltransceivers for use with fiber-optic cables.

Apple offers a choice of world-class services and support programsfor Xserve RAID including four-hour on-site response, 24x7 technicalsupport, AppleCare Service Parts Kits, and the AppleCare ProfessionalSupportLine and Tools program.

Pricing & Availability
Xserve RAID will be available in March through the Apple Store®(www.apple.com) and through Apple Authorized Resellers. Xserve RAIDcomes in three standard configurations, or can be fully customized tomeet specific customer requirements. Build-to-order options can includeadditional Apple Drive Modules, additional cache memory and cachebattery modules.

Xserve RAID for an estimated retail price of $5,999 (US)includes:

dual independent RAID controllers with 128MB cache per controllerand support for up to 512MB cache per controller;
dual 2Gb Fibre Channel ports with 200 MBps throughput per channel; four180GB ATA/100 Apple Drive Modules;
720GB RAID 0 total available storage; and
8MB on-drive cache.

Xserve RAID for an estimated retail price of $7,499 (US)includes:

dual independent RAID controllers with 128MB cache per controllerand support for up to 512MB cache per controller;
dual 2Gb Fibre Channel ports with 200 MBps throughput per channel;seven 180GB ATA/100 Apple Drive Modules;
1260GB RAID 0 total available storage; and
8MB on-drive cache.

Xserve RAID for an estimated retail price of $10,999 (US)includes:

dual independent RAID controllers with 128MB cache per controllerand support for up to 512MB cache per controller;
dual 2Gb Fibre Channel ports with 200MB/s throughput per channel;
fourteen 180GB ATA/100 Apple Drive Modules;
2520GB RAID 0 total available storage; and
8MB on-drive cache.