Storage Blade From Astute Networks Supports RAID-6 in ATCA Form Factor

Astute Networks, Inc. announced an update to its Edge Storage Foundation Suite, including support for RAID Level 6 for its Caspian Edge Storage Blade products.

RAID (redundant array of independent disks) Level 6 protects against multiple disk drive failures by creating double parity on a multi-disk storage array. As drive capacities and system configurations increase exponentially, the need for insurance against simultaneous drive failures also increases. Duplication of parity using RAID 6 decreases system risk and downtime and provides advanced fault tolerance over conventional RAID levels.

The Astute Networks Edge Storage Foundation Suite (ESFS) is an extensible storage and systems framework designed to provide a flexible suite of services including: storage access, security, high-availability software, SNMP remote management, SAS/SATA/SSD drive support and expansion capabilities for the Caspian E1112 RTM and J1110 JBOD. The ESFS is vital for leveraging the open standards of the Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture (ATCA) and creating the deployment simplicity and ease of use required to meet the business, operational and capital expenditure needs of operators worldwide.

"Support for RAID 6 adds yet another essential capability to our Edge Storage Foundation Suite of services," said Dr. Simon Knee, vice president of software and architecture, Astute Networks, Inc. "With certifications such as NEBS Level 3, ETSI and Mil-Spec, we can protect the physical security of our systems. Now, with the availability of RAID 6, we can also provide an enhanced level of logical security for our customers’ valuable data."

The Caspian Edge Storage Blade utilizes the SAS1078 RAID-on-Chip (ROC) storage processor and MegaRAID software from LSI Corporation.

"By utilizing the SAS1078 controller IC and MegaRAID software suite, Astute Networks’ Caspian Edge Storage Blade products deliver RAID 6 performance in an ATCA storage blade form factor," said Kelly Bryant, DAS Storage Business Line Director, Engenio Storage Group, LSI. "We are pleased to be working in partnership with Astute Networks to provide this important functionality to their product set."