Disk Controller
Module
Superior Performance
Bursting with power to handle the most demanding
storage applications, the F8 Disk Controller Module features
industry-leading capabilities:
• 8 independent 2-Gb/s (200 MB/s) Fibre Channels
providing 1600 MB/s bandwidth
• 2 high-speed microprocessors
• 5 high-speed internal buses
• RAID 0, 1, 0+1, 3, 5, JBOD
• Read-ahead, write-through, and write-back caching
configurable for each LUN
• Cache parameters (cache size, cluster size, look
ahead, write back allocation) configurable by LUN
• Pipelined read and write operations
With its ability to define individual LUN characteristics
and their caching parameters, the Disk Controller Module
provides superior performance over a wide range of applications:
from intensive high-churn small random I/O operations
like data base systems to demanding high throughput large
sequential file operations like video streaming. The
Disk Controller Module can configure LUNs independently,
so that Disk Storage Systems can serve as information
appliances in small dedicated configurations and as information
utilities in large network configurations.
Superior Availability
To provide continuous storage system operation, the
Disk Controller Module continuously monitors its subsystems
and the modules connected to it, displays that information
on the front panel and a remote GUI, and takes corrective
action to mitigate the effect of problems.
Continuous Monitoring
Designed in a self-contained 1U rack mount enclosure
with its own redundant hot-swappable load-sharing power
supplies, power cords, and fans, the Disk Controller
Module continuously monitors its status and the status
of attached Disk Enclosure Modules.
Information Display and
Notification Whenever the Disk
Controller Module detects a problem, it notifies users
in several ways: the VFD display, the audible alarm,
the RECON remote GUI, and sending email to administrators.
Corrective Action
In the event of a problem, the Disk Controller
Module takes corrective actions to keep the system operating
while the problem is being addressed. uses global
spare disks and 3 types of zoned spares (for LUNs, disk
channels, or disk enclosure modules), redundant power
supplies and fans, and redundant Fibre Channels for
continuous operation.
Superior Configurability
The eight 2-Gb/s Fibre Channels of the Disk Controller
Module can be configured as either host or disk channels,
providing multiple configurations to optimize performance
and availability based on application requirements.
• Each disk Fibre Channel can support 120 disks,
enabling systems with up to 840 disks providing over
120TB storage!
• Each host Fibre Channel can support switched
fabric, arbitrated-loop, or point to-point configurations
to support SAN, DAS, and NAS configurations.
After installation of a Disk Storage System, you
can easily augment the size of your storage with additional
Disk Enclosure Modules. The additional storage can be
used for new LUNs or for augmenting existing LUNs. The
Disk Controller Module also provides LUN virtualization
by restricting access to LUNs based on the hosts’
WWN.
RECON GUI
The RECON (REmote Control, Observation, and Notification
System) GUI is a platform-independent Java program that
runs on the Disk Controller Module like a web page.
Connecting to your network through a standard Ethernet
port, each Disk Controller Module has a unique Internet
address so that any computer with a Java-enabled browser
can monitor status and performance and initiate system
actions.
Applications
With their advanced capabilities, Digi-Data Storage
Systems support a wide variety of demanding applications:
• High-churn transaction processing
• Continuous 24 x 7 operation even when subsystems
fail
• Large file applications requiring high throughput
• Large storage large applications, requiring
multiple terabytes
Storage Architecture
The (Storage On Redundant Modules) Storage System Architecture
extends the fundamental precepts of RAID to provide
superior performance, availability, and configurability
for demanding storage applications. Storage Systems
comprise a number of independent redundant storage modules,
including:
• Disk controller modules
• Disk enclosure modules
• Uninterruptible power supply modules
• Fibre channel switches and HBAs Disk Storage
Systems can survive the failure of a disk, power supply,
fan, Fibre Channel connection to host or disk, disk
channel, and disk enclosure.
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