Virtual Storage Technology by Ciprico for Intel and AMD Motherboards

Ciprico Inc. introduced its Virtual Storage Technology (Ciprico VST) software packages, VST Pro 2008 and VST 2008, that enables RAID arrays to seamlessly span across drives connected to built-in SATA ports on Intel or AMD motherboards and drives connected to Ciprico RAIDCore(TM) controllers. This greatly improves motherboard storage features, management and performance, while significantly reducing overall storage system costs. Users can now download a free full-function evaluation copy of the software from Ciprico’s web site.

By integrating the proven RAIDCore software stack, the new VST software can be used standalone to provide enhanced enterprise class RAID capability for specific Intel or AMD motherboards utilizing their built-in SATA ports. When combined with a Ciprico 4 or 8 port SAS/SATA RAID adapter, VST Pro supports a virtual RAID controller of up to 14 ports by combining with the on-board SATA ports. This new and unique hybrid controller approach can dramatically reduce the cost of deploying 8-12 drive storage systems, enabling a new class of lower cost storage-servers in the market.

"Datacenters, web server farms and small-to-medium businesses require the safe, plug and play, bulletproof storage technology that VST delivers," said Andy Mills, Senior Vice President Marketing and Development for Ciprico. "After years of investment and development, we are now the only storage RAID vendor that has seamlessly bridged the gap between RAID on motherboards and HBAs, giving the user a powerful, economical new solution for their storage."

Benefits of this technology include the following:

• Enterprise Features: VST Pro enables for the first time powerful new features such as array spanning for Linux and seamless data migration with SAS drives on RAID adapters for improved data management.
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  Improved Performance: A 4-port or 8-port RAID adapter now achieves the performance of up to 14-drive systems using the six ports of the motherboard.
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  Reduced Power: By eliminating the need for a hardware RAID controller altogether, system power can be reduced by up to 80%.
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  More PCI Express Slots: High-density RAID controllers often tie up PCI Express (PCIe) slots. VST Pro can eliminate the need for a dedicated RAID controller altogether, freeing up a needed PCIe slot for other peripherals.
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  Pure Software Licensing: A new 100% software licensing management feature eliminates the need for any form of hardware key. The software based license keys allow OEMs and system integrators to offer different levels of functionality, along with post sales upgrades via the web.

About Ciprico VST Pro 2008 and VST 2008
VST Pro 2008 offers a comprehensive set of enterprise RAID features including RAID 0,1,5,10,1n and 10n for Windows and Linux operating systems, seamless spanning between motherboard and HBA, online RAID level migration (ORLM), online capacity expansion (OCE), mixed drive capacity support with no wasted capacity, as well as a comprehensive management and RAID array health monitoring suite. Supported chipsets in this release include Intel ICHxR / ESB2, AMD’s SB600/SB700 and Broadcom’s Serverworks HT1000.

VST 2008 offers a basic OEM version for motherboard vendors, OEMs and system integrators along with a BIOS integration package.

Both versions are available immediately. VST Pro 2008 is available as a standalone package for $49 via Ciprico resellers or directly on line by accessing Ciprico’s Web site at www.ciprico.com. The software includes a free 30-day evaluation period.