Features - Storage Innovations:

FIA TARGETS MIDRANGE MARKET WITH POWERFUL NEW NAS APPLIANCE

At the Storage World 2003 Conference, First Intelligent Array (FIA Inc) introduced the POPnetserver 8000, a family of network-attached storage (NAS) appliances optimized for superior performance, high availability, and simplified data management across multiple operating environments. The rack-optimized, 2U NAS appliance is designed for mid-sized firms, enterprise departments and workgroups, and vertical markets with a critical need to store, retrieve, and move data files faster.

"It is essential that today's NAS products are easy to implement, manage and support," said Brad Nisbet, senior analyst at market research firm IDC. "FIA has incorporated features in the POPnetserver 8000 that simplify overall data management, provide faster throughput, and keep down the total cost of ownership for their customers."

FIA's new NAS appliance can store up to 2 terabytes of data and features eight front-load hot-swappable disk drives -- each with a dedicated ATA 133MHz controller for faster access -- enabling network administrators to add or change drives without taking the system offline. An integrated SCSI Ultra 160 controller supports an external tape backup, with additional support available for dual 10/100/1000 and 10/100 Ethernet controllers and fiber gigabit networking.

The POPnetserver 8000 is the only NAS appliance in its class to use a high-bandwidth I/O system architecture that supports a dedicated triple-peer PCI-X/PCI (64-bit/32-bit) data path and integrates dual quad disk controllers, which combine to provide a bandwidth of up to 533 megabytes per second, doubles data throughput, and removes I/O bottleneck traffic on the PCI bus. Memory capacity is scalable up to 6 gigabytes of high-speed ECC RAM, doubling the memory operations per cycle for a 266 MHz data rate.

For storing, moving and retrieving data files faster, an enhanced RAID cache system adjusts in size to optimize disk I/O activity and shorten the time it takes to read or write to disks. The POPnetserver 8000 can be configured to support multiple RAID volumes for more efficient application usage and administrative flexibility for IT managers. The unit is pre-configured for RAID 5 and can also be configured with RAID 0, 1 or 5 plus hot spare, which provides automatic fail-over protection.

The new NAS system includes FIA's powerful POPfiler OS software, which ensures easy management from anywhere on the network and enables seamless sharing of information among network clients. It supports heterogeneous network environments -- including Windows, Linux, UNIX, Apple, and Netware -- and for system compatibility supports Microsoft's Active Directory Services, access control lists, UNIX Network Information Services, SNMP, group quotas, and environment-monitoring tools.

High-reliability features such as server-to-server replication and snapshot backup provide disaster recovery, and for further data protection, the POPnetserver 8000 supports VERITAS Backup Exec, CA BrightStor, and other leading third-party backup software. Dual-redundant hot-plug power supplies and cooling fans connected to independent power sources provide additional protection.

Price and Availability

The POPnetserver 8000 is available now worldwide at suggested retail prices starting at $7,999 (960 gigabytes), $11,999 (1.44 terabytes), and $15,999 (2 terabytes). Units may be purchased directly from FIA or through select distributors, resellers, and e-commerce Web sites, including Aberdeen LCC, Premio Computer, Inc., PC Connection and Insight Direct (Canada). The NAS systems are backed by FIA's skilled customer service and support organization.