Adaptec, Inc. today announced the reseller availability of two zero-channel RAID (ZCR) controllers at a price the company said is aimed at bolstering the “white box” industry, saving the builders of “non-branded” servers more than $100 over similarly featured single-channel controllers.
“Adaptec’s zero channel RAID cards offer the cost advantage of a built-in RAID on the motherboard solution with the flexibility of an add-on card,” said Gordon J. Wang, chief technical officer at Main Board Computer, Inc. “This is an ideal solution for customers who desire a cost-effective upgrade path to advanced RAID.”
“What we’re seeing in the market is intense price pressure from branded servers,” said Robert Cox, channel RAID marketing manager of Adaptec’s Storage Solutions Group. “Adaptec is providing to white box resellers advanced RAID technology previously only available in branded servers — and at a price point that enables them to compete very effectively.”
In addition to making the technology available to resellers, Adaptec announced today that it is working with motherboard manufacturers to jointly promote zero-channel RAID to systems integrators and resellers. The program includes a cooperative seeding program, in-box promotions, joint marketing communications and sales incentives. Participating companies include Acer, Advantech, Arima, ASUSTeK, Gigabyte, Iwill, MSI, Supermicro, Tyan and Quanta.
The new zero channel RAID controllers — the credit card-sized Adaptec SCSI RAID 2005S and the low-profile Adaptec SCSI RAID 2000S — use the Adaptec SCSI channels included on the motherboard instead of on the RAID card to reduce cost.
Both Adaptec ZCR cards will be priced at $315 MSRP.