Software and Hardware RAID Options

Apple Fibre Channel PCI Card

Xserve RAID connects to a host Xserve

G5 system using the dual-port 2Gb Apple Fibre Channel PCI Card (sold separately), for easy integration into copper or optical infrastructures.

Technology Overview

Xserve G5

Affordable and easy-to-install drive modules make it simple to expand Xserve systems to meet growing storage needs over time. For even greater storage capacity or to share storage among multiple servers, high-throughput PCI-X slots enable users to connect to external rackmount storage and backup systems, including SCSI devices and Apple’s Xserve RAID.

Software RAID in Mac OS X Server

Using software RAID built into Mac OS X Server, the three Apple Drive Modules can be striped or mirrored for improved performance or data redundancy.4

•RAID 0, or striping. Increases storage performance dramatically by distributing data across two or three Apple Drive Modules and enabling the drives to read and write data concurrently. Drive striping takes full advantage of the three independent drive channels and utilizes the I/O capabilities of Mac OS X Server.

•RAID 1, or mirroring. Provides a high level of data protection by creating a real-time exact duplicate of the contents of one Apple Drive Module on a second drive. With the new volume promotion feature in Mac OS X Server v10.3, you can upgrade a single drive to a RAID 1 mirror without needing to back up and reformat the drive. If a mirrored drive fails, the system can rebuild the array in the background, while con- tinuing to serve data. The independent drive architecture and software RAID combine to provide RAID 1 protection with no performance penalty.

For additional protection or higher performance, Mac OS X Server on Xserve can boot from a mirrored or striped volume.

Optional hardware RAID PCI card

For enhanced storage performance and data protection, the hardware RAID PCI card provides RAID levels 0, 1, and 5 using a hardware RAID controller and 64MB of battery-backed, ECC cache memory. When Xserve is configured with three 250GB Apple Drive Modules and the hardware RAID PCI card, it offers half a terabyte of internal, RAID 5–protected storage in a 1U form factor—unmatched in the industry. This compact solution provides affordable protected RAID storage for small to medium-size storage requirements.

Xserve RAID storage solution

For massive capacity and advanced data protection and availability features, Xserve connects to the Xserve RAID storage system using the Apple Fibre Channel PCI Card. Xserve RAID holds up to 14 hot-swap Apple Drive Modules, for up to 3.5TB1 of storage in a rack-optimized 3U enclosure. The innovative Apple-designed architec- ture combines affordable, high-capacity ATA drive technology with a dual 2Gb Fibre Channel SFP interface for fast, reliable data access, even at distances of up to 500 meters. Redundant components further increase data protection and system avail- ability. With easy-to-use tools for remote setup and management, this powerful RAID system provides a cost-effective answer to the growing storage requirements of businesses and institutions.

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.