EMC’s brings networked storage systems to RAID architecture
EMC Corp. has introduced the EMC CLARiiON AX150 and AX150i networked storage systems for small and medium businesses (SMBs) and the distributed enterprise.
The CLARiiON AX150, for Fibre Channel connectivity, and CLARiiON AX150i, for iSCSI connectivity, are based on EMC’s CLARiiON RAID (redundant array of independent disk). Each model is user installable and can support up to 10 host servers and scale from 750 gigabytes to six terabytes of capacity. New features include:
Support for Serial ATA (SATA) II disk drives which drives leverage Native Command Queuing (NCQ). NCQ streamlines sequential data transfers and, with SATA II disk drives, results in improved performance for I/O-intensive applications such as messaging, file serving and databases.
iSCSI Installation Wizard: This new tool facilitates fast, simple installation through an enhanced Web-based wizard and comprehensive online-support features.
Improved data protection features: The CLARiiON AX150 systems are capable of supporting up to eight concurrent array-based data snapshots for improved backup and recovery operations. Both are available with a dual controller option and redundant power supplies.
Pricing for the EMC CLARiiON AX150 systems are expected to start at US$5,600. Specific pricing is available from EMC partners and Dell.
Cisco Systems adds fibre channel switching modules
Cisco Systems has announced the availability of the MDS 9513 Multilayer Director, Cisco SAN-OS Software Release 3.0, and 4-gigabits per second (Gbps) and 10-Gbps Fibre Channel Switching Modules for use in new and existing MDS 9000 Family products.
These new products allow the new MDS 9513 Multilayer Director to scale to 528 1/2/4-Gbps Fibre Channel ports and the MDS 9509 and MDS 9506 Multilayer Directors to scale up to 336 and 192 1/2/4-Gbps Fibre Channel ports, respectively. Additionally, the new switching modules can be deployed in existing MDS 9500 and 9200 Series products providing 4- and 10-Gbps technology, advanced functionality and unparalleled investment protection.
These new products retain the complete MDS 9000 feature set including Virtual SANs (VSANs), Inter-VSAN Routing, and advanced management, diagnostic and security features. Additionally, new features in SAN-OS 3.0 include advanced port bandwidth management and enhanced FICON capability.
As with all other Cisco MDS 9500 Series directors, the MDS 9513 offers an advanced feature set and full bandwidth redundancy, to help ensure system throughput even in the event of a crossbar failure. Other high availability attributes include support for non-disruptive software upgrades, modular software with stateful process restart, support for cross-module inter-switch links (ISLs) scaling to 16 ports each, and full redundancy of all critical hardware components.
New Cisco 4-Gbps and 10-Gbps Switching Modules
Four new switching modules are also being introduced. New 1/2/4-Gbps autosensing modules are available in 12-, 24- and 48-port configurations. In addition, Cisco is introducing a new 10-Gbps Fibre Channel module available in a 4-port configuration. Also being announced is the new Supervisor-2 Module for use in all MDS 9500 Series directors. Together these new modules allow the MDS 9500 Series to break through the 256-port barrier, extending to 528 4-Gbps Fibre Channel ports and up to 44 10-Gbps Fibre Channel ports per system.
The Cisco MDS 9513 Multilayer Director and the new modules are expected to be generally available through Cisco’s OSM and STI partners starting in May.
MGE plugs UPSes into Ethernet
MGE UPS Systems announced its Network Management Proxy (NMP) plug-and-play software agent that allows any of its Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) to be interfaced with an Ethernet Network at no extra cost. The NMP is an economical solution for small UPS systems as it allows a UPS to be controlled over an existing network without adding a network management card and associated cost to the UPS.
With the proxy software agent installed on a PC or server system that is connected to any MGE UPS via a USB or RS232 port, users can monitor and manage the UPS remotely using a standard browser or a network management console. The NMP agent provides both XML and Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) protocols and can be operated in standard secure mode or in SSL secure mode (Secure Socket Layer).
The proxy agent is able to:
-Manage communication with the UPS (as well as local protection of the machine on which the proxy agent is installed)
-Periodically access UPS information
-Make information available to connected applications such as a Web Browser, a Network Management Systems, or MGE Network Shutdown Modules to protect several servers, or MGE Enterprise Power Manager for remote supervision of an installed base of UPSs
The new NMP agent is available on MGE’s Solution-Pac Power Management Software CD, which comes standard with MGE’s UPS systems, or users can download the agent at no charge from MGE’s Web site at: http://www.mgeups.com/download/soft/explore/eng/network/nmp5_en.htm.
Macraigor introduces Linux-based debugger
Macraigor Systems has ported its proprietary On-Chip Debug Technology (OCDemon) to the Linux platform using the usb2Demon and debug interface. This new port gives engineers who prefer developing on a Linux host platform the high speed the ability to debug, test and program the target system.
Macraigor Systems offers several GNU toolsets as a download from its website at no cost. Fully installable versions of the GNU toolsets for both the Windows and Linux platforms are available with demonstration programs. Also available on the Macraigor Systems website is a version of LibRemote, which allows developers to use other versions of the GNU toolset with Macraigor’s hardware.
The GNU toolsets are ready to be installed on a Linux system. They support various families of processors, including but not limited to the ARM, MIPS, PowerPC and XScale processors. Once installed, all the appropriate drivers are available for several of Macraigor Systems’ debug interfaces including the new usb2Demon, as well as the mpDemon, for an Ethernet interface and the Raven parallel port debugger.
The Macraigor usb2Demon starts at US$750. Pricing for mpDemon is set at US$1,800 and the Raven parallel port debugger is US$750.
