Saf-Te

Glossary

SAF-TE	Is the acronym for SCSI Accessed Fault-Tolerant
	Enclosures. It is a monitoring and communication
	speciﬁcation developed by Conner (nStor) and Intel for
	sending and receiving server and storage system status
	information via the SCSI bus.
Session	Refers to the period of time between any two consecutive
	system shutdowns. System shutdown may be either a
	power off/on, or a hardware reset.
SCSI Drive	A disk drive equipped with a small computer system
	interface (SCSI). Each disk drive will be assigned a SCSI
	address (or SCSI ID), which is a number from 0 to 15. The
	SCSI address uniquely identiﬁes the drive on the SCSI bus
	or channel.
Spanning	Disk spanning allows multiple disk drives to function like
	one big drive. Spanning overcomes lack of disk space and
	simpliﬁes storage management by combining existing
	resources or adding relatively inexpensive resources.
Striping	Disk striping writes data across multiple disks rather than
	on one disk. disk striping involves partitioning each drive
	storage space into stripes that can vary in size from one
	sector (1 KB) to several megabytes.
Stripe Order	The order in which SCSI Drives appear within a Physical
	Pack. This order must be maintained, and is critical to the
	controller’s ability to “Rebuild” failed drives.
Stripe Width	Refers to the number of kilobytes per stripe block.
Target ID	A target ID is the SCSI ID of a device attached to the disk
	array controller. Each SCSI channel can have up to
	sixteen SCSI devices (target ID from 0 to 15) attached to
	it.
Write-Through Cache	Refers to a cache writing strategy whereby data is written
	to the SCSI Drive before a completion status is returned to
	the host operating system. This caching strategy is
	considered more “secure,” since a power failure will be
	less likely to cause loss of data. However, a Write-Through
	cache results in a slightly lower performance, in most
	environments.
Write-Back Cache	Refers to a caching strategy whereby write operations
	result in a completion signal being sent to the host
	operating system as soon as the cache (not the disk drive)
	receives the data to be written. The target SCSI Drive will
	receive that data at a more appropriate time, in order to
	increase controller performance.

CR8e, Disk Array Enclosure specifications

NStor Technologies has long been recognized for its innovative storage solutions, and the CR8e Disk Array Enclosure is a prime example of this legacy. Designed to meet the growing demands of data storage in enterprise environments, the CR8e offers a robust and efficient platform for managing and securing critical data.

One of the standout features of the CR8e is its impressive capacity. Supporting up to eight 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch drive bays, it allows for flexibility in choosing the right drives, including SATA, SAS, and SSD options. This adaptability not only meets varying performance requirements but also ensures that organizations can tailor their storage solutions based on specific operational needs.

The CR8e is designed with redundancy in mind, featuring hot-swappable drive bays that enable users to replace drives without downtime, thus ensuring continuous operation. Additionally, its dual-redundant power supplies and cooling fans provide enhanced reliability. This feature is crucial for businesses that cannot afford interruptions, ensuring that their data remains secure and accessible at all times.

In terms of connectivity, the NStor CR8e supports multiple interface options, including both SAS and SATA, catering to different storage protocols and enhancing compatibility with existing systems. It is equipped with advanced RAID functionalities, supporting various RAID levels such as 0, 1, 5, and 6. This capability allows users to choose the most suitable data protection and performance strategy for their environment.

Management is made simple thanks to its user-friendly interface, which offers ease of configuration and monitoring. The enclosure also provides comprehensive diagnostic and reporting features, assisting administrators in maintaining optimal storage conditions and prolonging the lifespan of the equipment.

Furthermore, the CR8e is designed with scalability in mind. As data storage needs grow, organizations can easily expand their storage capacity by adding more enclosures. This feature allows businesses to future-proof their investments in storage technology.

NStor Technologies has incorporated cutting-edge technologies in the CR8e to ensure high-speed data transfer rates, reducing latency and enhancing overall system performance. The enclosure’s design emphasizes thermal efficiency, ensuring that the internal components are kept at optimal temperatures even during high-performance operations.

In summary, the NStor Technologies CR8e Disk Array Enclosure is a versatile and powerful solution for organizations seeking to enhance their data storage capabilities. With its robust features, excellent scalability, and emphasis on reliability, it stands out as an ideal choice for enterprises focused on safeguarding their data assets.

Glossary

CR8e, Disk Array Enclosure specifications