Performance & Capacity
Highest Level of Performance
The NetServ XL delivers the highest level of performance and throughput. With 40% higher throughput as compared to the NetServ XT, the NetServ XL can handle larger user populations or more demanding access needs. Designed for systems where large amounts of general file data (NAS) and large CD/DVD libraries will be stored on the same system, the NetServ XL will deliver acceptable access times under demanding conditions.
Capacity
The NetServ XL is designed to store both general data files and CD/DVD images. A single system holds from 320 GB up to 8.0 TB of data or disc images. With 1 GB or more of RAM, the NetServ XL will hold up to 4,000 titles.
The Logical Extend feature listed below allows up to eleven volumes to be logically connected and managed as one, making the system scalable to 44 TB of storage capacity.
Gigabit Standard
The NetServ XL comes with dual on board gigabit Ethernet ports standard on every system. These 10/100/1000 interfaces enable the NetServ XL to meet the demands that the large system capacity and higher system power drive.
The dual interfaces can be set up in a variety of configurations to meet a variety of needs.
- Parallel: Both connections can be to the same LAN to provide extra bandwidth
- Fault Tolerant: One port can be configured to backup the other in case of failure, giving high reliability
- Multiple LANs: Each port could be connected to a different network to provide wider access to the system
Management Features
Installation
A static TCP/IP address is initially set via front panel display. Alternately, dynamic IP address may be set using DHCP, ARP, or a Windows software utility. Further network and operational settings are configured using a web-based management interface by entering the NetServ's IP address into a web browser.
Platform Independent Hardware Monitoring
System status may be monitored using multiple notification methods including: email alerts, audible alarm, LCD console messages, web reminders and SNMP traps. Environmental monitoring includes: CPU/System temperature, CPU/System Voltage, CPU fan status.
Software Updates
Flash memory allows remote software updates over the network. Additional features can be added by simply entering a license key
Display and Controls
The NetServ XL includes advanced external display and controls including:
- A back-lit LCD display with push-buttons for IP setting and system status/event indication
- Built-in alarm for system status events and warnings
- Built-in thermal sensor for temperature monitoring
- Dual-color LEDs for indicating Power/Fault, LAN activity, and LAN link/speed, device activity.
Language Support
Multi-lingual web interface currently supports:
- English, "Traditional Chinese", "Simple Chinese", Japanese, Hebrew and Arabic web pages
- English, Western European, Arabic and Hebrew, CJK DBCS, Unicode Code-pages
Storage
Reliability and Management
The NetServ XL provides a number of advanced storage features for the protection and management of online data. These include:
- Advanced bad sector recovery and re-mapping
- Ability to safely mount/unmount volumes on line.
- Manual and scheduled disk-scanning on selected hard disks or RAID groups
- Device log provides detailed information (disk sector, error on read or write) on disk I/O
- Support S.M.A.R.T. hard disk monitoring
RAID
NetServ XL offers the ability to configure the serverΉs local storage in a RAID array. In the unlikely event of a hard drive failure, data is protected and the manpower invested in building your digital library is preserved. RAID features include:
- Integrated Hardware RAID controller
- RAID 0 - disk striping
- RAID 1 - mirroring
- RAID 5 - data & parity striping
- Supports 4 concurrent RAID sets
- Global Hot Spare
- Intelligent Hot-Swappable drive modules
- New drives automatically initialized as hot spares
- Cross-platform Journaling File System
- Expand RAID 5 volume size on the fly
- 2 Terabyte maximum volume size
- User disk quotas supported
The NetServ XL supports a Global Hot Spare disk drive. In the unlikely event of a disk drive failure, the hot-spare will automatically be swapped into the RAID array replacing the defective drive. The system will automatically rebuild the RAID array on the new drive. This all happens without user intervention. The administrator is notified in the method of their choice.
Another standard feature of the NetServ XL is the hot-swap disk drive module. This allows the disk drives to be removed and replaced without having to reboot the system.
Clustering (SmartExtend Feature)
One of NetServ's next-generation features is the ability to logically group multiple physical servers into a single storage resource. Clients access this storage cluster as if it were a single large server. This feature makes it easy to add storage capacity on demand. Clustering requires a master (initiator) NetServ and multiple target systems that are accessed through it. All user accounts, security settings, quota controls and backups are managed centrally thought the initiator system. (NetServ XL servers can function as initiator or target. The Initiator must have the SmartExtend license enabled.)
- Add capacity on demand
- Connects using IP technology
- Each NetServ initiator can connect up to 10 target volumes.
- Each target can provide up to 4.0TB of capacity
- 44 terabytes of storage capacity available on a single logical server
- Manage security centrally
- Unified name space - only one server name for easy client access
SATA Drives
Increased transfer rates from serial ATA drives translates into higher data throughput. Support of SATA means support for the latest hard-disk drive technology. This is all part of PrimeArray's commitment to keep our products current with the latest technology.
CD-ROM Disc Formats
ISO 9660 level 1, 2, 3 (including Romeo, Joliet and Rock-Ridge extension), CD HFS/HFS+, CD/DVD UDF, High Sierra, Hybrid (ISO+HFS), Multi-session CD, Mixed Mode CD, UDF V1.5, V2.0, VCD
Network CD-R/DVD-R
The NetServ XL may be equipped with one or two CD-R or DVD-R drives allowing multiple users access to recording resources over the network.
Storage Management Software
A Windows-based utility is included for NetServ XL administration. It provides two major functions: managing NetServ XL servers and remotely loading CD/DVD images into the NetServ XL. Administration utility software features include:
- Wizard style interface
- Win95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP compatible
- Configures NetServ XL servers for the first-time setup or quick setup.
- Discovers and performs administration functions to all NetServ XL servers attached to the LAN
- Performs hard drive initialization
- Allows volume deletion
- Performs shutdowns, restarts, and resets
- Explorer-like user interface with user-friendly wizards for remote CD mirroring.
- Remotely uploads CDs or DVDs to NetServ XL from a local drive
- Creates new CD image from existing CD or by dragging & dropping separate individual folders and files.
- Multiple-destination remote mirroring - allows users to assign different destination servers when building CD images.
- Burn CD Images to CD-R or DVD-R after upload
- Upload CD or DVD images to be burned immediately or by pre-defined schedule
- Monitors all on-going and scheduled tasks.
Drive Emulation Software
A bundled software utility is included to provide drive emulation - allowing discs on the network to appear as if they were in a computer's local reader. Compatible with most educational and game CDs that require the CD in the local reader.
- TCP/IP based Win32 program running on Win95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP
- Emulates network folders as local CD-ROM drives
- Accesses CD titles which are not designed for network accessing
- Maps multiple network drives and performs as a central management window to all the mapped drives
- Saves the up-to-the-minute mapping status to a profile and retrieves it whenever needed
Disc Metering
The number of simultaneous users for can be restricted for any disc to aid in license management.
Data Protection
Backup
NetServ XL includes local tape backup/restore software (drive optional) that supports full/incremental backups of selected folders, flexible backup schedules and original/alternative restoration. It also features comprehensive backup/restore progress information and detailed summary logs.
Tape backup has the option to include ACL security setting when backing up and restoring data. System settings such as user database and quota settings and network shares may also be backed up. Also provides for File- and folder-level selection for tape restoration.
Optional CD/DVD writer can be used for backup. CD writer backup features include:
- Select multiple source folders for backup
- Estimate total file size of the folders selected for backup
- Move selected files to writer buffer internally and automatically.
- Supports spanning multiple discs when selected files exceed the size of a single CD/DVD disc.
- Supports burning across multiple CDs using two CD writers in sequence.
- Supports the writing of DVD+R/RW ISO, DVD-R/RW ISO and ISO-9660 level 2 CD file-systems
The data stored in NAS can be backed up/restored from/to NAS over Windows network using Veritas BackupExec and NetBackup, Legato Networker and Microsoft Backup without losing the native security settings.
Remote Data Synchronization
The NetServ XL includes built-in synchronization support for server-to-server mirroring, distribution, and tapeless backup. The synchronization tasks run over TCP/IP using SSH to ensure secure communications. Synchronization compresses the differential blocks from changed files and can be configured to use customizable bandwidth to reduce the utilization of the scarce network bandwidth. Replicated data retains the same (file/folder-level security files/folder.
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Mirroring:
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Creates an exact duplicate copy of data from a share or folder on one NetServ to another NetServ. (NetServ XL servers can function as either Mirror servers or clients.)
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Distribution:
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Replicates an exact duplicate copy of data from a share or folder on a master NetServ to up-to eight other target NetServs. (NetServ XL servers can function as a master distribution server or distribution targets.)
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Tapeless Backup/Restore:
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Performs a server-to-server backup. Two systems are required, one as the backup server, others as backup clients. The backup server makes and keeps backups of client data. Backup version control is similar to the GFS (Godfather-Father-Son) tape rotation scheme commonly used on tape backups. When a new backup version is created, it checks and deletes obsolete backups automatically according to predefined rules. (NetServ XL servers can function as tapeless backup server or clients.
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Snapshot
Snapshots are point-in-time copies of the file-system. When creating a snapshot, the file-system is momentarily frozen and a record of all changes is created. Several terabytes of data ban be backed up in less than a second. Since files are not modified during snapshot creation, data integrity is maintained.
Because of their speed, Snapshots solve the problems of long backup windows and open files commonly associated with tape backup. Snapshot keeps track of file changes in blocks, so even frequent backups can require little or disk space.
Backed up data is maintained online and clients can access previous versions of their files through special read-only snap folders.
Anti-Virus
The NetServ XL supports integrated virus protection. Virus scanning can be configured to occur in real-time, or at scheduled intervals. Updated virus pattern files can be automatically downloaded and installed if the CD server has Internet access.
- Real-time, scheduled, or disable virus scanning
- Automatic virus pattern updates over internet or via file upload
- Alert when virus pattern out of date
- Alert when virus detected
- Quarantine infected files
- Exclude/include files to scan using extensions
- Scans compressed files
