SATA-based Xserve RAID prototype escapes from Apple (photos)
It's not often that a prototype of an unreleased Apple hardware product escapes the company's kung fu grip and lands smack-dab in the lap of one of our loyal readers. But hey, that's what appears to have happened. So here's some fresh meat for friday:
What you see below looks like a run-of-the-mill Xserve RAID, though first appearances can sometimes be deceiving. The only noticeable change to the face of the unit is the presence of 6 fibre channel activity lights instead of two. However, a quick peep inside confirms the mounting suspicion. Apple has yet to commission the release of this puppy, which according to some internal stamping is dubbed "Q57."
A label on the unit refers to the hardware configuration as: '512MB/1000GB 4DRIVE/2GB FC'.*
Prototype SATA Xserve RAID
Changes to the internal hardware include:
Interior of new SATA ADM
Backplane of new SATA ADM
The pre-production unit contains SATA drive modules, which appear to be the same as those used with the currently shipping Xserve server component (not the RAID, which still maintains use of Ultra ATA drives). Of the four modules, a number are marked 'Accusys Q57', indicating that they may be marginally different than the SATA drive modules utilized by the current Xserve.*Increased maximum bandwidth and lowered power consumption of future SATA drives should both increase the efficiency of the Xserve RAID and allow for cooler operation.*
RAID Controller Module
Also changed is the RAID controller module, which no longer houses the fibre channel port.* Only the ethernet and UPS interface ports remain.
Six Fibre Channel Ports
The fibre channel ports are now incorporated in the cooling module.* Matching the increase in front activity lights, Q57 sports six fibre channel ports.
Xserve RAID Prototype - Backplane
When using the latest version of RAID Admin, the device firmware is reported as:* 2.0d32 dev/A3.10. Unfortunately, a large portion of the RAID Admin functionality is disabled. Currently shipping Xserve RAID units are operating on firmware version 1.5 and it appears that, while the administration software recognizes the prototype, it cannot be configured.*For this reason, the abilities of the 4 extra fibre channel ports cannot be determined.* *
On the currently shipping Xserve RAID, when one Xserve is connected to both ports it has access to all 14 drives. When two Xserves are connected (one to each port), both have access to 7 of the drives.* It's likely that newer RAID Admin software will allow arbitrary assignment of drives to any of six connected Xserves.* It is also possible that these newer Xserves RAIDs have an integrated 6-port fibre channel switch.* This won't be known until an actual release of the hardware when new firmware and admin software is available.
While it's not clear if and when Apple plans to update its Xserve RAID systems to coincide with those advancements present in Q57, the prototype presents a logical progression to their cutting-edge storage solution, allowing the company to standardize the Xserve RAID drive modules with those currently used in the Xserve.
Of course, Apple may also forgo the release of an SATA RAID completely in favor of an SAS-based solution.
Update: A reader points out the prototype consists of only half a RAID.
"There is only one controller in it, as current Xserves are actually two 7 drive RAIDS in an enclosure (when you want to access all 14 drives, you have to connect both controllers to the host, and then strip across the two volumes in software).
So I would assume that in a full Xserve, not a test / demo/ prototype, that it would have 2 controllers, 2 sets of 6 fibre channel ports, etc. as there is only 1 controller and 1 6 port fibre channel bay shown in the photos you have, but the spaces below them are meant to take those additional controllers / fan assemblies.
Also apple could be duplicating the fibre ports, as those are one of the major weaknesses of the xserves, the fibre ports are a single point of failure."
What you see below looks like a run-of-the-mill Xserve RAID, though first appearances can sometimes be deceiving. The only noticeable change to the face of the unit is the presence of 6 fibre channel activity lights instead of two. However, a quick peep inside confirms the mounting suspicion. Apple has yet to commission the release of this puppy, which according to some internal stamping is dubbed "Q57."
A label on the unit refers to the hardware configuration as: '512MB/1000GB 4DRIVE/2GB FC'.*
Prototype SATA Xserve RAID
Changes to the internal hardware include:
Interior of new SATA ADM
Backplane of new SATA ADM
The pre-production unit contains SATA drive modules, which appear to be the same as those used with the currently shipping Xserve server component (not the RAID, which still maintains use of Ultra ATA drives). Of the four modules, a number are marked 'Accusys Q57', indicating that they may be marginally different than the SATA drive modules utilized by the current Xserve.*Increased maximum bandwidth and lowered power consumption of future SATA drives should both increase the efficiency of the Xserve RAID and allow for cooler operation.*
RAID Controller Module
Also changed is the RAID controller module, which no longer houses the fibre channel port.* Only the ethernet and UPS interface ports remain.
Six Fibre Channel Ports
The fibre channel ports are now incorporated in the cooling module.* Matching the increase in front activity lights, Q57 sports six fibre channel ports.
Xserve RAID Prototype - Backplane
When using the latest version of RAID Admin, the device firmware is reported as:* 2.0d32 dev/A3.10. Unfortunately, a large portion of the RAID Admin functionality is disabled. Currently shipping Xserve RAID units are operating on firmware version 1.5 and it appears that, while the administration software recognizes the prototype, it cannot be configured.*For this reason, the abilities of the 4 extra fibre channel ports cannot be determined.* *
On the currently shipping Xserve RAID, when one Xserve is connected to both ports it has access to all 14 drives. When two Xserves are connected (one to each port), both have access to 7 of the drives.* It's likely that newer RAID Admin software will allow arbitrary assignment of drives to any of six connected Xserves.* It is also possible that these newer Xserves RAIDs have an integrated 6-port fibre channel switch.* This won't be known until an actual release of the hardware when new firmware and admin software is available.
While it's not clear if and when Apple plans to update its Xserve RAID systems to coincide with those advancements present in Q57, the prototype presents a logical progression to their cutting-edge storage solution, allowing the company to standardize the Xserve RAID drive modules with those currently used in the Xserve.
Of course, Apple may also forgo the release of an SATA RAID completely in favor of an SAS-based solution.
Update: A reader points out the prototype consists of only half a RAID.
"There is only one controller in it, as current Xserves are actually two 7 drive RAIDS in an enclosure (when you want to access all 14 drives, you have to connect both controllers to the host, and then strip across the two volumes in software).
So I would assume that in a full Xserve, not a test / demo/ prototype, that it would have 2 controllers, 2 sets of 6 fibre channel ports, etc. as there is only 1 controller and 1 6 port fibre channel bay shown in the photos you have, but the spaces below them are meant to take those additional controllers / fan assemblies.
Also apple could be duplicating the fibre ports, as those are one of the major weaknesses of the xserves, the fibre ports are a single point of failure."
Comments
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LOL @ that
Is ZFS better than RAID? I was just wondering whether ZFS would make RAID redundant.
Though I'm not all that familiar with ZFS, I suppose that depends on what RAID configuration you're talking about?
(does anyone know if the XServe RAID can be reconfigured to any type? ie. 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, etc.)
Is ZFS better than RAID? I was just wondering whether ZFS would make RAID redundant.
ZFS can use RAID-Z across multiple drives (called a pool in ZFS terminology). RAID-Z is an adaptation of RAID 5. So, basically, if RAID 5 makes sense for your application, then ZFS should work fine. If you do a lot of writes where computing and writing the parity data that RAID 5 requires would result in a slowdown, then using a ZFS pool wouldn't be the best option. (I personally would use RAID 10 here, but everyone has a different level they like for different applications.) You could still use the ZFS filesystem on top of the hardware-based RAID ? stripe, of course.
Though I'm not all that familiar with ZFS, I suppose that depends on what RAID configuration you're talking about?
(does anyone know if the XServe RAID can be reconfigured to any type? ie. 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, etc.)
The current XServe RAID can handle 0, 1, 3, 5, 0+1, and what they call "Enhanced JBOD". I have no idea what is enhanced about it, as I have never tried it. (For those unacquainted, JBOD stands for "Just a Bunch Of Disks" and is termed "Concatenation" in Disk Utility's software RAID. It's just a series of disks treated as one volume with data written sequentially across the drives.)
It's one less seperate component to purchase and to take up space.
For Apple's target market this is going to make the XServe RAID an even better value than it already is.
Is ZFS better than RAID? I was just wondering whether ZFS would make RAID redundant.
ZFS is file system software.
RAID is hardware or software.
The Zen File System incorporates principles found in RAID to increase reliabilty and performance.
While there is overlap they are really complimentary technologies.
Especially when ZFS is used on RAID hardware.
Here is an analogy...
GPS(Global Positioning System) is a set of algorythems for determining your position.
It is a great system, but not if you don't have any satellites.
Once you have satellites(hardware) to complement the system(software) then it is more useful.
***I know I am potentially opening a huge can of worms by just mentioning GPS***
ZFS is file system software.
RAID is hardware or software.
The Zen File System incorporates principles found in RAID to increase reliabilty and performance.
While there is overlap they are really complimentary technologies.
Especially when ZFS is used on RAID hardware.
Here is an analogy...
GPS(Global Positioning System) is a set of algorythems for determining your position.
It is a great system, but not if you don't have any satellites.
Once you have satellites(hardware) to complement the system(software) then it is more useful.
***I know I am potentially opening a huge can of worms by just mentioning GPS***
THE IPHONE SUCKS WITHOUT GPS!!!!!!!!!! APPLE IS TEH DOOMED!!!!!!! GAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!
Sweet! I'm in the market for a new Xserve RAID. I wonder when the update will be released?
If past experience is any indicator, as soon as I buy the current model.
The Xserve RAID need to migrate to SAS.
I'd like to see two different models hit.
Deliver the same casing SAS XR with 14 drive bays. Then ship a 3U 22 drive bay XR with 2.5" SFF drives. This allows companies to tier their storage right in the RAID box. Use 15k SAS drives for your production data and SATA drives for your nearline storage. Works well with SAN file systems as well because you don't need basic stuff sitting on your expensive drives.
Fibre is losing traction. Even Brocade is blinking and buying IP companies.
Brocade aquires Silverback IP Data Vendor
ZFS is nice as well. The checksum features go beyond what you get with a basic RAID 5 setup which cannot prevent corruption.
The Zen File System incorporates principles found in RAID to increase reliabilty and performance.
Umm...
ZFS stands (or stood) for Zettabyte File System.
Zen is a philosophical approach to life.
...unless, of course, you're wanting to talk about a particular philosophical approach to file systems. In that case, wait until I leave the room before you start that discussion.
Umm...
ZFS stands (or stood) for Zettabyte File System.
Zen is a philosophical approach to life.
Strictly speaking, ZFS once stood for Zettabyte File System but now stands for nothing at all.
Strictly speaking, ZFS once stood for Zettabyte File System but now stands for nothing at all.
As in zilch?
Zen is a philosophical approach to life.
...unless, of course, you're wanting to talk about a particular philosophical approach to file systems. In that case, wait until I leave the room before you start that discussion.
Hmm, that might be a discussion I'd enjoy having with people reasonable well-informed on that subject.
Umm...
ZFS stands (or stood) for Zettabyte File System.
Zen is a philosophical approach to life.
Strictly speaking, ZFS once stood for Zettabyte File System but now stands for nothing at all.
Hence the parenthetical "or stood" in my original post.