Longtime Linux server and software maker Penguin Computing Wednesday unveiled its first Intel Xeon large storage integrated drive electronics (IDE)
The San Francisco-based company said its new 2U Relion 230 Server features 6 cold-swap hard drives, with ATA-100 ability. Drive capacities are available from 40GB to 200GB at 7200RPM, which gives the server an internal storage maximum of 1.2 terabytes.
Additional levels of added data security, including RAID via both Linux software and IDE RAID PCI cards are also available as customer options.
“We see a definite trend amongst our customers towards a heavier reliance on large capacity IDE drives,” said Penguin Computing founder and CEO Sam Ockman. “With the advantages of their increased performance and reliability features, we believe that IDE is coming of age in the storage space, and that the Relion 230 is Penguin Computing’s answer to this new class of storage server.”
The Relion 230 incorporates dual Intel Xeon Processors and the Intel E7500 Chipset with memory support for up to 6GB of fast Double Date Rate (DDR) memory. Network connections include three RJ-45 Network interfaces (two gigabit, one 10/100) on the motherboard. The two available PCI slots can also handle additional networking cards, PCI-based graphics cards, and external SCSI cards for external tape drives.
In addition, the open 5.25″ drive bay provides space for an internal tape backup drive, or an optical input/output device, such as a CD-RW drive. The Relion 230 comes with a 460-watt power supply, and customers can upgrade to a dual hot-swap power supply.
Penguin almost exclusively uses Intel for its large-scale boxes including Xeons, Pentium III and Pentium 4 chips for its high-end Relion-class clustering server and Nevieus workstations. The company defers to AMD Athlons for its less expensive models.
“Our goal with the Relion 230 is to bring the performance advances of Intel Xeon technology to the customer looking for the benefits of IDE storage,” said Cub Karabian, Director of Product Marketing. “In addition, the Relion 230 makes an ideal head-node for High Performance Clustering, incorporating storage, fast cluster monitoring, and advanced display options, all in a powerful 2U package.”
The Relion 230 starts at $2,776 and includes a two-year warranty.
