Chapter 1 – Introduction
1.1 Overview
The RamSan-500 is the World’s Fastest Flash-based storage system. The basic unit contains nine RAID-protected Flash storage modules accessible from the front, with a combined usable capacity of either 1 or 2-Terabytes and a data bandwidth of 2 GB/sec. A single RamSan-500 fits in 4U of rack space. Multiple RamSan-500 units scale capacity, bandwidth, and IOPS.
1.1.1 High Performance Solid-State Storage
Unlike other mass storage products, the RamSan-500 is not based on mechanical rotating disk technology, but instead on high performance memory technology. While each of the nine Flash storage modules may look like a disk, there are no moving parts and it operates with a much faster protocol, reducing access time and increasing the data transfer rate. This is achieved with the use of better connectors (rugged, more data pins) and a simple transfer protocol.
While the capacity and throughput of the RamSan-500 is impressive, the key to the system’s power resides in its I/O structure. The RamSan-500 can be configured with 2-8 Fibre Channel (FC) ports. Internally, it can handle the bandwidth and supply the IOPS needed for emerging storage applications.
1.1.2 Easy Installation and Configuration
The RamSan-500 is easy to install on a Fibre Channel SAN or directly attached to a server. Most common parameters, including the management Ethernet port, can be set from the front panel. The RamSan-500 also has monitoring and configuration capabilities through a Web browser.
1.2 System Components
The system components for the RamSan-500 include:
9 Flash modules with 1 or 2 Terabytes of data storage capacity
16-64 GB DDR Cache
4 dual-ported 4G-bit Fibre Channel Controllers
Hot-swappable redundant power supplies
Easily replaceable fans
Front panel display for monitoring and configuration
Java-based monitoring
1.3Power
The RamSan-500 includes two hot-swappable power modules that are auto-ranging (they accept either 110 or 220 VAC power).
