300W Hot Swap Auto Switching 110 - 220v (User-Replaceable) Power Supply with Fan
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
CalDigit HDPro RAID System 6TB Supports RAID 0, 1, 5, 6 JBOD. Design for Uncompressed HD 4:4:4, 2K Film Worflow Review, October 16, 2007
By
Zhenghan Liu (Los Angeles, CA USA)
The CalDigit HDPro's unique architecture combines the best in value
with the newest technology. The HDPro is compatible with MacPro, G5,
Mac OS X Server, Windows, Linux workstations, and other platforms as
well.
The CalDigit HDPro offers the best gigabyte-per-dollar ratio in the
world for RAID storage. The HDPro is a high-performance storage
solution with capacities from 2.0TB to 8.0TB. At under $2 per gigabyte
including PCI-e Card and all accessories - it is a fraction of the
cost compared to other products in its class.
The CalDigit HDPro features SATA 3Gb/s and up to 16MB cache drives for
the speed to meet the demands of the most up-to-date video & content
editing software. Each 7200-RPM SATA hard drive connects to a
dedicated SATA channel to eliminate bottlenecks and maximize the 3Gb/s
native SATA connection. With up to PCIe 8-lane interface to the host,
each lane can reach up to 250MB/s. This in turn means that as you add
drives, the HDPro scales in both capacity and performance. This
powerhouse delivers up to 400MB/s in RAID 5.
The HDPro not only provides a sustained data rate, but also has the
fastest speed in its class yet! Other RAID storage products in the
marketplace can playback 10-bit 1080i uncompressed HD footage, but one
will most likely experience frame dropping after just 2-3 minutes of
playback. The HDPro is a true editing solution that maintains its data
rates during editing and playback without dropping frames!
Each HDPro holds up to 8 drive modules in a Tower or 2U affordable
rack mount package. The swappable functionality of the HDPro allows
users to upgrade the drive capacity as needed, while remaining very
simple to configure and set up. There is no capacity limitation to any
single chassis.
Safe, Reliable Storage
When you need large storage for your HD projects, large media files,
database, photos, and/or images - the HDPro is your best storage
solution.
With single parity in RAID 5 mode, the HDPro features an advanced
distributed parity algorithm. This accesses data and parity blocks
across all drives in the disk array. To improve the write and read
performance, RAID 5 removes the limitation that the dedicated parity
drive represents in RAID 3.
When configured in RAID 6 mode, fault tolerance is maintained by the
world class CalDigit RAID engine ensuring that the parity information
for any given block of data is placed on TWO drives separate from
those used to store the data itself. Such double protection is to
protect your valuable data even if two drives fail.
Offering RAID 0, 1, 5, or 6, you will have a safe and reliable
operation all in one package warranted for 3 years by CalDigit Inc.
Active Sustained Transfer Technology (ASTT(c))
With CalDigit's uniquely engineered Active Sustained Transfer
Technology (ASTT(c)), the performance of your HDPro is always kept in
check. Highs (or peaks) & lows (or drops) during the data transferring
are equalized by ASTT.
ASTT optimizes the best transfer size and timing between RAID
controller cache and the host machine. This eliminates performance
drops and maximizes the sustained data rate. ASTT technology also
helps to maintain a continuously smooth transfer rate over the whole
capacity of the RAID.
24 / 7 / 365
24 hours a day/ 7 days a week/ 365 days a year, the CalDigit HDPro is
designed for nonstop operation with uninterrupted access to your
critical data. All active components are modular design and can be
replaced quickly with a minimum amount of downtime.
The HDPro uses load-balancing power management to spread the workload
between two power supplies for optimal power consumption. The load
balancing method manages the selection of an appropriate power supply.
This enables the HDPro to continue working in the event of one power
supply failure.
Redundant hot-swappable power supplies, fan, and drive modules enable
the system to keep running even if one module fails. All active
components are modular and designed to be switched in and out in
seconds - No tools needed, no interruption of service.
Managing, Monitoring and Reporting Technology
Each HDPro uses an environment monitor processor to monitor and manage
all aspects of the system including: hard drives, RAID set,
controller, controller cache, fan, temperature, power supply, and
enclosure conditions. In the event of a problem, the HDPro will send
out an E-mail notification.
The HDPro RAID Admin utility, RAID Shield, can build multiple RAID
sets on the fly with variety of settings, cache sizes, capacities,
slices, logical unit numbers, RAID levels...etc, enabling you to bring
storage online with no waiting for initialization. Instantly, you can
have RAID storage meeting your requirement. Since this utility is
written entirely based on TCP/IP architecture, you can monitor and
manage your RAID storage from anywhere on the Intranet. Once you've
used this utility to set up your RAID sets, the RAID Admin utility
provides at-a-glance status for monitoring subsystems for multiple
local and remote HDPro systems.
Monitoring the activities of your HDPro is easy with CalDigit's
intuitive LED visual feedback, which allows you to easily monitor your
RAID's status with indicator lights on the front panel. There is an
audible signal to signal any system, controller, and drive failure.
Zero Delay
Unlike Fibre Channel, SCSI, FireWire and eSATA RAID storage, CalDigit
HDPro is a native PCI Express using a direct connection to the
computers bridge chip and memory system combined with high link
speeds. This direct link eliminates latency introduced by the
conversion of other interfaces to PCI Express and provides superior
bandwidth, availability and deployment flexibility over
earlier-generation SCSI and Fibre Channel technology.
PCI Express includes error correction, and adapts to the speed of the
slot automatically. CalDigit HDPro features PCIe x4 or x8 lane,
250MB/s per lane, bandwidth for ultrafast data transport between the
storage system and the host computer. It also includes a high quality
Molex* PCI Express cable and special electronics, to ensure a stable
and high quality connection from the storage to the computer. This
means you get both superb speeds and reliable bandwidth for high-speed
data transfer.
External RAID subsystem keeps your workstation cooler
Excessive heat is a source of problems for your computer and its
performance. Each and every component that you add to your workstation
tower, generates heat.
These components share a limited space inside the workstation, which
generates more heat. The heat increases the burden to your
workstation, slowing down performance and causing potential premature
failure issues with components.
Unlike other RAID storage, CalDigit HDPro, an external RAID subsystem,
is designed to minimize the heat inside your workstation. With no
additional heat added in your computer, you'll experience more
reliable operation and a longer lifespan for all of the components.
Editing on the Go
Many RAID solutions in the marketplace can only be used on your
desktop workstation.
Because the RAID processor is in the HDPro, the HDPro in combination
with the ExpressCard frees you from your studio for editing on the go.
This also means that the external RAID storage for your laptop is no
longer limited to FireWire and USB connectivites.
The CalDigit ExpressCard (eLane-1ex) easily plugs your HDPro into your
MacBook Pro, or PC laptop, and enables you to edit DVCProHD, DVCAM,
HDV, uncompressed SD and up to 10 bit uncompressed HD.
Substantial Cable Connection
HDPro's cable has a substantial connection for added strength and
long-term protection against any potential object that might disrupt
workflow. The secure latch will prevent it from coming off easily.
Built-in Integrated Intel XScale(c) core to accelerate RAID engine
With multiple RAID levels support and an integrated Intel XScale(c)
core to accelerate RAID performance, the CalDigit HDPro provides a
simple solution for professionals looking to increase performance and
add protection to storage.
Controller Cache - up to 2GB of 64-bit DDR333 cache memory
Due to HDPro's sustained and high speed data transfer rate, the size
of controller cache can act as a bottleneck. For example, the video
playback does not keep up with your movements on the timeline, and lag
behind. Larger cache size keeps up with you as you edit and buffer the
video files. For the critical application, you can increase HDPro
controller cache up to 2GB.
"Pay-as-You-Grow" Scalability
HDPro is a flexible, open, remarkably scalable, and highly available
RAID storage solution with virtually unlimited storage capabilities.
It uses CalDigit's advanced PCI Express architecture that enables its
'pay-as-you-grow' scalability.
As additional higher storage capacity becomes necessary with the
growth of your media files; more HDPros can be attached and configured
easily in the field without downtime. Simply done by adding a few key
components - CalDigit PCIe switch and two-port PCIe card - these
products will achieve your goals efficiently and cost effectively.
Each switch can connect upto 7x HDPros, one host and one switch. Using
hierarchical CalDigit PCI Express switch, you can have (in theory)
unlimited storage pool across disk available to your media and
database.**
Single Vendor Support
The HDPro and RAID utility were all designed and developed by
CalDigit. Technical support for these products can be done with a
single call.
Specifications:
* Dimensions: (L) 610mm X (W) 640mm X (H) 250mm
* Weight: 42 lb
* Operating Temperature: 5~60 Degrees Celsius
* 300W Hot Swap Auto Switching 110 220v (User-Replaceable) Power
Supply with Fan
* Redundant Power Supplies (Optional for Tower version)
* Progressive, Rugged, Modular Sound-Proof and Vibration-Resistant Design
* Aluminum Housing for Excellent Heat Dissipation
* RAID functionality RAID 0,1,0+1,5,6 & JBOD
Notes
*Ciprico 4440 is a trademark or registered trademark of CIPRICO Inc.
*G-Speed is a trademark or registered trademark of G-Technology Inc.
*Comparisons were based on manufacturers MSRP pricing, March 2007.
**Operating system limitations ap
