SA-6643S

Written by Jenny Lin

Thursday, 10 April 2008 00:00

The JanusRAID SA-6643S is Arena MaxTronic entry into the enterprise iSCSI market. The SA-6643S features an Intel IOP331processor, in a compact 3U - 16bay chassis, with modularlized fans, power supplies, and controller. Configuration and monitoring is performed using a java enabled web browser for easy and simple integration into any environment.

Overview

The JanusRAID SA-6643S is a single controller, iSCSI to SATA-II RAID Subsystem. In a compact 3U - 16 bay chassis, featuring hot-swappable power supplies and fans. The RAID controller, fans, and power supplies are modularized allowing for easy removal from the rear of the unit. System setup is simple using web browser allowing easy remote configuration and monitoring. Copy-on-Write snapshot functionality is built into the controller to help protect your data.

iSCSI protocol uses TCP/IP to transfer data, which only requires an ethernet interface, and enables easy integration into your current network infrastructure. iSCSI encapsulates SCSI commands and data into TCP/IP packets to transfer through a ethernet network. By using TCP/IP to transfer ensures that the transmission is successful, and provides a reliable means of transfering data. Also, by using your current network infrastructure reduces the total cost of ownership.

Photos

Specifications

Host Interface: iSCSI
Data Transfer Rate: Up to 1Gbps
Number of Host Channels: 2
External Connector Type: Ethernet

Controller CPU: Intel IOP331 RISC CPU
Cache Memory: 512MB - 1GB DDR 333 SDRAM
Disk Interface: SATA-II (3 Gb/sec)
Number of Disk Channels: 16
Hot Swap Disk Tray: 3.5" hot-swappable tray
Hot Swap Fan: 2 x Turbo Fan
Hot Swap Power supplies: 460 W x 2 Redundant
AC Input Voltage: 100 to 240V (+/- 10%), 47 to 63 Hz

RAID Levels: JBOD, 0, 1, 0+1, 3, 5, 6, 10, 30, 50, 60
Data Rebuild: Automatic Data Regeneration
RAID Features: Global or Dedicated Hotspare, Multiple Host ID, Multiple RAID Volume Group, Multiple User Data Volumes, and Foreground or Background Initialization, Array Roaming
Remote Backup: Optional
Snapshot: Yes (Copy-on-Write)

Front Panel LCD and Buttons: Easy access for configuration and status report.
RS-232 Terminal: User Friendly interface for configuration and status report
Web browser GUI: Embedded GUI management interface
Event Notification: Built-in buzzer, e-mail, SNMP, syslog, and windows & browser pop-up
Management AP: Windows MPIO

Humidity: 20% to 80% non-condensing
Operating Temp: 5 °C to 40 °C
Non-Operating Temp: -25 °C to 60 °C
Safety Regulatory: UL, CUL, CB
EMC Standard: FCC, CE, C-Tick, BSMI

Physical Dimensions: 485 (W) x 565 (D) x 132 (H) mm
Physical Weight: 24 Kgs (without drives)
Packed Dimensions: 610 (W) x 790 (D) x 450 (H) mm
Packed Weight: 33 Kgs (without drives)

Key Features

Click a feature for more info!

Snapshot and Rollback

The SA-6643S implements a is Copy-on-Write snapshot technology implemented that utilizes a small pre-designated volume for the snapshot, known as the snapshot UDV. When the snapshot is initially setup, metadata, or a table of contents, of the original volume is copied, and thus makes the snapshot instantaneous. Before new data is written the original data is copied to the snapshot UDV, and the new data is written to the original data blocks. In the event of file corruption, accidental overwriting, or a virus infection, a rollback can be performed to restore any remaining original data.

Online Volume Group, User Data Volume Expansion and RAID Level Migration

Volume Groups can be easily expanded using built-in GUI utilities, allowing your storage requirements to grow when your needs grow. Likewise, User Data Volumes (UDV) can be expanded online. A unique feature to the SA-6643S is RAID level migration, which allows you to upgrade, or downgrade, RAID levels online.

RAID 6

RAID 6 improves over the industry standard RAID 5 by adding another parity disk which enables greater reliability and data protection.

SCSI Enclosure Services (SES) management

This feature allows users to communicate using an iSCSI initiator to the RAID subsystem to monitor voltages, temperature, and other diagnostic information.

MPIO and MC/S Ready

Multipath I/O and Multiple Connection per session use physical paths to create logical paths between the host and storage device. If a physical path were to fail, the multipath software will use an alternate path to the storage device to enable users continued access to their data.

CHAP Authentication

Challenge Handshake Authorization Protocol, or CHAP, is a powerful authentication method used for point-to-point user login. When using CHAP, the server will send an authentication key to the client for encrypting the username and password. By using the CHAP authentication, the user login process will be encrypted and secure.

Link Aggregation or Trunking

Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP), part of IEEE 802.32ad, allows users to bind together both Ethernet ports of the SA-6643S into a single logical channel to increase bandwidth. Trunking uses similar binding methods, combining both Ethernet ports as a single logical port, can increase the bandwidth as well.

Global or Dedicated cache by volume

Controller cache can be configured as Global or Dedicated for specific volumes. This function provides users the ability to dedicate more cache resources to a mission-critical volume to enable higher performance and reliability.

BBU

An optional BBU can be included in the RAID system to ensure data integrity in the event of a power outage. The BBU, or battery backup unit, will provide power to the on-board cache of the RAID controller in the event of a power outage. This will allow any data that is still stored on the cache to be saved until power is restored. Once power is restored, the RAID controller will flush the cache to drives.

Downloads

Firmware Download: 2.2.1

User Manual Download: Hardware | Software

SA-6643S Brochure

GUI Preview

The JanusRAID SA-6643S iSCSI Graphic User Interface requires a java enabled web browser. The GUI enables users to quickly and easily setup and configure their iSCSI subsystem, monitor status, and performance maintenance.

Volume Configuration