The most extreme and outstanding Performance
Disk array system for streaming environment demand

Why PCIe?

PCIe high-tech specification, which provides 250MB/s bandwidth in each channel , the ExaRAID HD has four and eight data transmission channels that is the reason why ExaRAID HD can reach 10Gb/s and 20Gb/s bandwidth. Comparing with Firewire technology’s 250~300MB/s throughput rate,ExaRAID is far faster. The ExaRAID HD’ high performance not only stands for maximizing the utilization of every HDD but also represents the quality、standard and efficiency at film editing process for media workgroup.

Performance of PCIe 1.1

Designed with Dual Controller

The ExaRAID HD system uses Intel Xscale technology and is a pure Hardware RAID solution. The ExaRAID HD family of products includes 2U 12-bays, 3U 16-bays and 4U 24-bays. The 3U and 4U RAID systems are configured with single-controller and dual independent controller systems. ExaRAID can be used on any of the latest hard disk specifications. Single RAID controller and dual independent RAID controllers can be equipped with a maximum of 2Gigabytes 64bit DDR II cache memory, with battery backup modules to prevent data loss during abnormal shutdown.

Amazing read performance of 1400MB/s

ExaRAID HD 3U 16-Bay dual independent controllers RAID system is capable of providing an amazing read performance of 1400MB/s, mainly through a PCIex8 interface that has a transfer bandwidth of 20Gb. As a result of External PCI Express technology, the transfer of data between ExaRAID HD and workstations is similar to that of the workstation’s internal high-speed transmission processes Compared with the higher-priced 8G, 4G FC and 3G SAS disk array systems, not only does the ExaRAID HD solution have the advantage of twice the bandwidth. Coupled with the “zero protocol conversion loss” feature of PCIe, the ExaRAID HD is also capable of maintaining high speeds and reducing transmission delay in continuous read/write, thereby maximizing the utilization rate of every single hard disk. ExaRAID HD also provides an upgradable single-controller system, which boasts a bandwidth of 10Gb. The system transfer rate of the 3U 16-Bay is able to reach 700MB/s and above, which is equivalent to the maximum performance of a dual 4G FC RAID system.

The best scalability framework Design

The ExaRAID HD offers not only the best scalability framework, but also meets the streamlined workflow requirements of a variety of digital editing work and editor can get ready for the next uncompressed HD editing workflow. Combined with Accusys’ unique ExaSAN Gen1 Switch, up to seven ExaRAID HDs can be connected to a workstation. If equipped with a hard drive of 1TB capacity, the high capacity of 168TB can meet the requirements of any ingest, editing, playout and archive application.

More choice for capacity

If you want more requirement for capacity, ExaRAID is designed for more choices on capacity.

• Combined with Accusys’ unique ExaSAN Gen1 Switch, up to seven ExaRAID HDDs can be connected to a workstation.If equipped with a hard drive of 2TB capacity, the high capacity can reach up to 168TB.
• If there's more requirments for capacity, ExaRAID also provides 12bays. 16bays. 24bays design, user can eauip up to 12.16. 24 HDDs.
  
  

ExaSAN is a complete External PCI Express SAN solution that consists of all SAN components required for SAN deployment, such as the disk array system-ExaRAID HD, ExaSAN Gen 1 Switch, ExaSAN Gen2 Switch, Eternal PCIe optical cable and PCIe HBA. In addition to comprehensive quality assurance and a single contact window for customer support, the advantages of a single vendor also include the overall ExaSAN framework efficiency and implementation cost, which compares favorably with FC solutions.

The function for performance

The ExaRAID HD is designed specifically for disk array systems that are used for real-time streaming environment. In addition to having high-bandwidth and high-performance advantages, Accusys has also included a number of application designs for sequential I/Os, such as:

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Dual independent controllers

“Disk lag proof technology” can also be activated on RAIDGuard X. In the event of performance degradation or delay of a single disk due to aging, it allows the overall I/Os to resume its transfer response time and to provide stable performance based on the RAID parity.

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Performance Equalization mode

This feature can be selected and activated on the ExaRAID HD GUI-RAIDGuard X. The “Performance Equalization mode” will allow the continuous I/Os to operate more smoothly and substantially reduce large fluctuations in efficiency during data transfer. In video editing applications, frame dropping can be prevented.

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Disk lag proof technology

“Disk lag proof technology” can also be activated on RAIDGuard X. In the event of performance degradation or delay of a single disk due to aging, it allows the overall I/Os to resume its transfer response time and to provide stable performance based on the RAID parity.

RAIDGuard X

RAIDGuard X—offers an intuitive way to configure the RAID in only four simple steps. It boasts remote management functionality. Any event can be sent to users through simple operations such as email or pop-up windows. In addition, protection and monitoring functions are available so that users can easily configure, monitor and manage the RAID and other system status information.
In addition, the ExaRAID HD can be used to configure and monitor the status of the RAID through the LCD panel. The LED lights on hot-pluggable hardware chassis will indicate the usage real-time status of the hard disks. All of these designs work together to optimize the safety of digital data.

Fully Integration and Compatibility

The ExaSAN can be fully integrated with Xsan and Final Cut Pro system, which can implement a shared volume and shared editing SAN environment. In a addition, ExaSAN PCIe HBA is also compatible with the non-MAC workstations such as Windows, Linux and Unix platforms. With SAN management software from MetaSAN and StorNext, user can use workstations with different platforms to access ExaRAID HD media content simultaneously, realizing a viable cross-platform SAN framwork. ExaSAN affords users the most flexible workflows and it meets the requirements of multiple applications.

Two ExaRAID HD systems; no problem processing 4K TIFF/DPX

4K producing is always a dream for most editors, but the extremely high bandwidth and cost stops them. Now, two units of A24D-PA or A16D-PA are capable to meet the requirement of 4K production. Each PCIe RAID controller of ExaRAID HD can supply 10Gb bandwidth; dual controller ExaRAID HD can establish a 48 hard drives capacity and 40Gb bandwidth working environment with the RAID0 function of workstation’s OS. The real throughput of this solution can reach 2500MB/s, and be capable to playback 4K formats from 300MB/s to 1200MB/s, with this high speed, 4K editing will be no longer a dream for small to medium size post production studios.

• Connect two 16bays or 24bay dual controller ExaRAID HD with one workstation
• quip two dual port HBA card on workstation
• 4 PCIe RAID controllers can 4 times the speed via software RAID0
• Optimized performance: 40Gb bandwidth each workstation, about 2500MB/s reality throughput
• Maximum capacity: 207TB under RAID5
  
  

Real 4K Solution

Two workstations; one ExaRAID HD Dual controller system

If you had two workstations with different operation systems, and tend to centralized manage your data; A16D-PA and A24D-PA, ExaRAIN HD with dual controller, will be your choice. Dual controller ExaRAID HD’s two-way throughput feature is able to let one storage system work as two. By the function of independent dual controller, two workstations with different operation systems each will gain 750MB/s transportation rate, and an independent storage space.

• Two workstations can optionally select connecting one 16bays or 24bays dual controller ExaRAID HD
• Both workstation are equipped PCIe single port HBA card
• Each workstation can share a half of total storage capacity independently. Ex.: 12 hard drives of A24D-PA
• Optimized performance: Each workstation owns 10Gb bandwidth, around 750MB/s performance
• Maximum capacity: 33TB each workstation under RAID5

Two Independent Volume Solution

Capacity sharing working environment

ExaRAID HD can company with SW04/08-G2 to compose ExaSAN Compact Solution; this solution’s high speed and many other features are specialized applying in HD format processing. For satisfying the market’s need, most small and medium size post production studios fallow the market main stream selecting HD format. While working with uncompressed 1080HD format, each stream will require at least 165MB bit rate; once each workstation playback 3 1080HD streams, thus every station will need at least a 495MB/s bandwidth to smooth the workflow. ExaSAN Compact Solution which composed by 3 A24S-PA can offer around 2000MB/s throughput, which could support at least 4 workstations playback 3 1080HD video clips at the same time. ExaRAID HD’s performance optimized functions, such as “Performance Equalization mode” and “Lag Proof Technology” can not only help you improve your working efficiency, but also dramatically break through your workflow and saving time and cost for you.

• Connect 3 to 8 workstations and 3 ExaRAID HD RAID storage systems through SW08-G2
• Equip 3 units of A24D-PA systems for maximum capacity; 3 units of A08S-PS systems for best C/P value
• Optimized performance: 30Gb bandwidth, reality throughput rate can reach 2000MB/s
• Maximum capacity: 207TB under RAID5
• Distribute 1200MB/s speed to each workstation.

ExaSAN Compact Solution

ExaRAID HD Performance Testing In AJA System Test

ExaRAID HD equips SATA II HDD with dual controller, Write: 1233MB/s . Read : 1424MB/s	ExaRAID HD equips SATA II HDD with single controller, Write: 667MB/s . Read : 749MB/s

ExaRAID HD Performance Testing In AJA System Test

Testing Configuration By IO Meter: ExaRAID HD, Sequential read and write, 1MB request size.