RAID Controllers Gain Steam

Given the substantial increase in multicore systems' processing power and memory, pure software-based RAID implementations have gained in popularity. Ciprico's RAIDCore RC5000 line of RAID controllers can support up to 32 drives in a single disk array using controller spanning. With controller spanning, a 24-port system can be implemented using an eight- or 16-port card. While the company is currently shipping lower-profile four- and eight-port cards, 12- and 16-port cards will not be available until later this year.

Unlike many other RAID solutions that require the same size and often identical drives to be used in an array, RAIDCore is a welcome change. The mixed capacity support allows users to use all the available space to create multiple arrays using different parts of the same physical disk for different purposes.

Ideal for Intel-compatible servers, workstations and personal desktops, the RC5000 is also suitable for Web servers, desktop video-editing systems, digital media servers and video surveillance systems. The controller can be used for multiuser servers that process a lot of transaction data or stream large files.

For customers who have the 4000 series, the company said it is possible to expand or transfer an existing array onto a 5000 series card without losing the array configuration or data.

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