AberSAN Z20 From Aberdeen Combines 8Gb FC and 10GbE iSCSI

Server and storage manufacturer, Aberdeen LLC announces the AberSAN high-bandwidth scalable storage appliance, based on the newly released Intel Xeon processor 5600 series.

The AberSAN brings the simplification of a network attached storage (NAS) server to the SAN environment by combining Fibre Channel and iSCSI block level connections with multi-user network sharing. Aberdeen removes storage and partition size limitations to deliver ease of use and flexibility, while featuring more efficient cross platform collaborative editing and shared media storage for post-production, content creation and any business in need of cost effective, scalable storage.

Introduced at the NAB trade show at the Las Vegas Convention Center from April 12-15, 2010, the AberSAN offers post-production and HD streaming media businesses storage fluency in project management by allowing both file-level and block-level sharing on the same network. This means any workstation attached to the SAN can access the managed storage pool as if it were local to that machine. Aberdeen’s virtual-local storage system users can designate their virtual volumes as multi-user write (file-level) or multi-user write (block-level) for an optimal combination of performance and workflow. This removes many of the configuration complexities common in iSCSI and Fibre SANs that do not allow shared drive volumes. In effect the AberSAN can appear as RAID 6 protected, local drives to the OS. The benefit of this is centralized scalable storage and true shared storage with the ability to connect nearly unlimited workstations with read and write capability.

"The AberSAN provides the bandwidth and scalability necessary to support any size company or post-production department in content intensive environments," says Jack Tateel, Executive VP for Aberdeen. "There’s really nowhere else to look for a scalable shared storage system that’s as easy to use, has the AberSAN’s performance and carries its aggressive price point."

The AberSAN’s versatility offers the gamut in network connection, with up to 10Gbit Ethernet and 8Gbit Fibre channel connectivity. Traditional 1Gbit Ethernet is the common solution for low bandwidth or high client count environments, as in CCTV, surveillance and compressed media transfers. The AberSAN’s connectivity makes it the storage answer for companies in need of high bandwidth, real-time transfer speeds, such as content creators, post-production facilities and HD environments. Users can connect to an AberSAN directly without the use of a Fibre channel or 10Gbit Ethernet switch and access the same volume at the same time.

The Aberdeen AberSAN scalable platform incorporates the ZFS file system and will grow as an organization’s storage needs multiply, without sacrificing crucial content transfer speeds. For example, an organization can start with a 8TB AberSAN Z20 and seamlessly expand capacity in 16TB or 32TB JBOD increments as future needs dictate. As with the entire AberSAN Z-Series, the Z20 comes standard with ZFS in-line deduplication benefits, Fibre to LAN failover and comprehensive support for virtualization technologies. The AberSAN features seven PCI Express 2.0 slots, with one slot reserved for use by the RAID controller. This leaves six slots available for add-on cards such as 10GbE network interface controllers or 8Gbit Fibre connections.

While the AberSAN boasts breakthrough storage performance and managed shared storage improvements with virtualization benefits, a well equipped shared storage 8TB AberSAN scalable appliance starts at a friendly sub-$9,000 MSRP and larger models can be custom configured up to the 96TB AberSAN Z80.

Features include:

• Intel 5520 Tylersburg chipset
• Intel Xeon processor 5600 series with 32nm fabrication
• Multi-user file-level and block-level Read/Write capable
• VMware virtualization environment ready
• iSCSI, 10Gbit and Fibre connectivity
• ZFS in-line block level deduplication
• Simultaneous SATA/SAS hard drive integration with emphasis on expandability
• RAID 0, 1, 5, 6 configurable
• Maximum memory capacity up to 192GB/s

Availability and Support:
The AberSAN Z20 is currently available worldwide, and can be configured to meet even the most stringent requirements. Larger capacity AberSAN Z-Series scalable models Z30, Z50 and the 96TB AberSAN Z80 will be available by the end of April 2010. Customized shared storage solutions can be configured.