Intel Unveils Quad-Core Storage Server

This hardware platform enables a new price/performance class for the small- and medium-sized business (SMB) market. Powered by the quad-core Intel Xeon processor 5300 series, this new rack mount server can be configured as a broad range of enterprise and small business storage solutions, including Network-Attached Storage (NAS), Storage Area Network (SAN) and application servers.

Since introducing the first-ever quad core processors in November of last year, Intel is now shipping 12 different server and desktop processors with four processing engines or cores. Intel had expanded the line to the embedded market in early April and now to the storage industry.

The Intel Storage Server SSR212MC2 also comes with an option of including one or two Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 series processors, as well as a choice of enterprise-class Serial-Attached SCSI (SAS) or high-capacity Serial ATA (SATA) hard drives.

"Intel has made it easier and more cost-effective for storage solution providers to bring enterprise-class storage solutions to businesses of all sizes with this highly customizable system," said Mike Wall, general manager, Intel Storage Group. "With more than twice the performance improvement over our previous product generation, the SSR212MC2 hardware platform provides resellers and integrators a high-performing building block upon which they can build effective solutions."

Several companies are supporting the SSR212MC2, including Microsoft, FalconStor, Open-E, Open SuSE, RedHat and Wasabi Systems. Intel worked closely with these independent software vendors (ISVs) to validate and ensure solution providers would experience easy integration of their operating systems and/or applications with the new storage platform.

"Businesses of all sizes are seeking effective solutions to better manage the growth and complexity of data storage," said Bala Kasiviswanathan, director of branch and storage solutions at Microsoft. "The Intel SSR212MC2 with Microsoft Windows Unified Data Storage Server 2003 is an ideal solution for OEMs, resellers and system integrators to help both SMB and enterprise customers overcome storage challenges, lower overall costs and boost productivity."

Intel is also working with key hardware vendors, including Emulex and Mellanox, to enable the use of a broad selection of network connectivity options, such as Fibre Channel and InfiniBand. Dual and Quad port Intel PRO Server Adapters provide an option for increased bandwidth through bonding of ports, or reliability via failover.

The Intel Storage Server SSR212MC2 uses Xyratex's 2U chassis which delivers industry-leading power, package and cooling technology to top OEMs worldwide.

The Intel Storage Server SSR212MC2 will cost $2,800 MSRP with no RAID controller and $3,600 MSRP with the Intel SRCSAS144e RAID Controller and will be available from participating Intel Channel partners in May. More information is available at http://www.intel.c … ge/ssr212mc2 .

Source: Intel