Additional Connectivity

Technology Overview

Xserve G5

Dual Gigabit Ethernet ports deliver near-line-rate throughput of up to 980Mb/s per port, alleviating bottlenecks even with very large files and expediting mail, web, file, and printer sharing services. Together with the multihoming function in Mac OS X Server, dual network ports enable Xserve G5 to serve more client systems; provide redundant links; or support an isolated management network that is independent of a client services network. Dual Gigabit Ethernet also enables the high-speed network interconnect required by many computational cluster deployments.

The Xserve G5 architecture uses the HyperTransport protocol to connect the I/O controller to the system controller. The Serial ATA controller, optical drive, and FireWire, USB 2.0, and serial ports are all integrated through a bidirectional 800MHz HyperTransport interconnect for a maximum throughput of 1.6GB/s.

Xserve G5 offers industry-standard interfaces for connecting I/O devices:

•Dual FireWire 800 ports. Two FireWire 800 ports on the back panel and one FireWire 400 port on the front panel connect to high-bandwidth FireWire (IEEE 1394) devices, such as storage devices and audio and video input devices. In addition, TCP/IP over FireWire can be used to create small clusters, and FireWire Target Disk Mode allows easy cloning of system configurations.

•DB-9 serial port. An industry-standard 9-pin serial port allows for system access through a serial console session.

•Two USB 2.0 ports. USB ports on the back panel connect to keyboards, mice, speakers, and other industry-standard peripheral devices.

•Optical drive. For software installation and recovery, a slot-loading 24x-speed CD-ROM drive comes standard on server configurations. A Combo drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) is available as an alternative for customers who need to read DVD data and back up data on CDs.

Xserve G5 specifications

The Apple Xserve G5 was a powerful rack-mounted server that was introduced by Apple in 2004. Built on the robust PowerPC architecture, it marked a significant entry into the enterprise server market for the company, reflecting its commitment to high-performance computing and advanced technology solutions.

One of the main features of the Xserve G5 was its dual dual-core PowerPC G5 processors, which allowed for exceptional computation performance. This configuration enabled up to 8 processing cores in a single server unit, significantly enhancing multitasking capabilities and making it suitable for high-demand applications. With support for up to 16GB of DDR SDRAM, the server ensured ample memory for intensive operations and large-scale data processing tasks.

In terms of storage, the Xserve G5 featured a versatile design that supported up to four hot-swappable Serial ATA (SATA) drive bays. This capability enabled users to easily replace or upgrade hard drives without downtime, which is crucial in enterprise environments. The server also supported RAID configurations, offering options for increased reliability and data redundancy.

Networking capabilities were another highlight of the Xserve G5. It came equipped with dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, providing robust network throughput and redundancy. This feature was particularly valuable for mission-critical applications where uptime and performance were essential. Additionally, the Xserve G5 was compatible with various networking protocols and featured built-in support for Active Directory, simplifying integration into existing IT infrastructures.

The operating system of choice for the Xserve G5 was Mac OS X Server, which offered a user-friendly interface along with powerful server management tools. The software provided a wide range of services, including file sharing, web hosting, and email services, tailored for small to medium enterprises and education institutions.

For those seeking expandability, the Xserve G5 boasted a PCI-X expansion slot, allowing users to add various hardware components such as additional network interfaces or specialized processing cards.

In terms of its physical design, the Xserve G5 had a sleek, 1U form factor, making it easy to integrate into existing server racks while maintaining a modern aesthetic. The efficient cooling system was designed to keep the unit running optimally, ensuring reliability during extended periods of use.

In conclusion, the Apple Xserve G5 represented a significant advance in server technology with its powerful dual G5 processors, ample memory and storage options, and robust networking capabilities. Its combination of performance and user-friendly Mac OS X Server made it a notable choice for organizations seeking reliable computing solutions in the mid-2000s.