Hot-plug Apple Drive Modules

Technology Overview

Xserve G5

Xserve Storage Scalability

Three drives

Two drives

One drive

Read 165MB/s

Write 139MB/s

110MB/s 115MB/s

57MB/s 44MB/s

Apple Drive Module

Xserve G5 uses reliable, high-performance Apple Drive Modules to provide cost- effective, high-capacity system storage.

120

180

Megabytes per second

Apple tested the scalability of Xserve G5 storage using Bonnie++, an open source benchmark that measures drive throughput. This test shows that both read performance and write performance improve as drives are added to the system.

The three Xserve drive bays 4 provide affordable storage expansion using 80GB or 250GB SATA Apple Drive Modules.1 Apple Drive Modules feature robust hot-plug connectors called Single Connector Attachment (SCA) II that protect the connecting pins from bending when drives are inserted or removed. Hot plugging allows admin- istrators to add storage without bringing down the server: Insert a new Apple Drive Module at any time and it’s instantly available to the server. This flexibility is made possible by tight integration between system hardware and software. The three independent drive controllers detect when a drive is unplugged, so removing the drive doesn’t mean risking data loss or a system crash. When the drive is plugged back in, its controller instantly recognizes that it’s back online—without requiring cycles or resets to reinitiate communication between the drive and the controller, as in other storage architectures.

Apple Drive Modules feature a unique handle design for fast, easy installation and a positive locking mechanism to hold them tightly in place after insertion. The new drive carrier employs a drive mounting technique that increases drive isolation and reduces vibration. Carefully tested and qualified to ensure maximum performance and reliability, Apple Drive Modules work seamlessly with the sophisticated Xserve monitoring sensors and Server Monitor remote monitoring software.

Monitoring of drive health

Xserve hardware and software work together to provide industry-leading remote monitoring and alert capabilities. The server operating system reads Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology (SMART) data from each hard drive. SMART data allows the drive to report its health and enables Server Monitor software to warn the administrator of a prefailure condition—providing the opportunity to back up critical data and replace the hard drive before a failure occurs. For local monitoring, each Apple Drive Module has two LEDs, one for drive activity and one for drive health.

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.