SGI Rolls Out x86-Based Storage Array

High-performance computing specialist SGI, which is becoming a more competitive player in the enterprise data storage and virtualization sectors, April 13 introduced an integrated x86-class storage array for new-generation data centers.
The reconstituted SGI, which in February bought the assets of bankrupt Copan Systems, represents the combination of Rackable and the original Silicon Graphics and continues to make inroads into the high-end scientific computing market.
But not everything the company makes is for elite computing needs.
SGI’s new InfiniteStorage Server 3500 is a proprietary system designed for enterprise environments in which data and compute need to be tightly coupled, such as video surveillance, data warehousing and object storage for Lustre environments.
Naturally, the new array is designed to work hand-in-hand with SGI’s Altix ICE (Intelligent Computing Environment) cluster servers. However, it can also be used with other brands of servers because it includes a choice of infrastructure connectivity, including Ethernet, InfiniBand and 10 Gigabit Ethernet.
The array also comes bundled with SGI’s home-developed XFS file system.
ISS3500 comes in a 4U (7-inch) chassis with 36 drive bays for 3.5-inch SATA (Serial ATA), SAS and SSD drives. It can pack up to 72TB of into a single system, the company said. The ISS3500 also includes high-availability features as standard, including redundant power supplies and a redundant, hot-pluggable cooling system.
ISS3500 is installed with Intel’s dual-socket processors for 64-bit performance. The array offers a choice of several standard storage protocols, including iSER, iSCSI, NFS [Network File System] and CIFS [Common Internet File System].
For management, the ISS3500 uses SGI’s InfiniteStorage software suite, which includes its Data Migration Facility used to virtualize multiple disk types in one system, SGI said.
The ISS3500 is available immediately, SGI said, and pricing information will be provided upon request. Go here for more information.