Introducing Innerpool™

The game-changing new Metadata appliance from Active Storage.

Since the first Xsan installations, administrators have asked for a better way to handle Metadata, one that would not utilize expensive capacity or decrease the performance of external RAID storage.

We heard requests to add another RAID controller just for Metadata or even build a 1U ActiveRAID. We decided to go one better, by going one less. We created a Zero U solution. By leveraging the MDC already in your Xsan, Active Storage created Innerpool, a self-contained Xsan Metadata optimized RAID system on a PCIe card. The Innerpool system consists of a matched pair of PCIe cards with internal self-contained hardware RAID Metadata Mirrors installed in both your MDCs—satisfying all your Xsan Metadata storage needs.

Innerpool can:

• Reclaim Terabytes of wasted RAID storage space
• Improve overall SAN performance up to 20%
• Significantly reduce RAID controller load due to Metadata storage needs
• Enjoy guaranteed Xsan compatibility - Innerpool can scale to over one hundred clients

Innerpool is the ultimate Metadata appliance

• Available with optional Solid State Storage, the Ultimate Metadata storage
• Features industry-leading Active Storage native Mac OS X management suite
• On-board RAID Controller uses power and cooling from server, while providing tunable RAID performance
• Enjoy increased flexibility in SAN design, with maximized RAID system Fibre Channel performance
• No redundant rack space!
• 2 Minute Setup using Active Admin
• Worldwide monitoring using Active Viewer

DOWNLOADS

Innerpool Data Sheet

KEY FEATURES

THE CHALLENGE

Since the first Xsan deployments, users have asked for a better way to store Metadata. They wanted a more efficient option than using their expensive media-optimized storage for small, non-media Metadata files.

Unfortunately, Metadata is extremely important and must be both fast and protected. So IT professionals begrudgingly gave up valuable storage space. Faster, more modern RAID systems made the performance hit “livable”, but no one was satisfied with the situation, and users constantly sought a better solution.

Modern deployments made the problem even worse—higher capacity Hard Drives meant giving up more and more expensive storage, and media Optimized RAID 5 and 6 are not compatible—mirrors are the only solution.

Clients asked us for a 1U solution for Metadata storage—but it’s not practical. You still need redundant power, cooling, and RAID controllers. Not only do you lose rack space, but a 1U fully protected RAID simply isn’t cost-efficient. Some systems such as the Apple Xserve RAID require half of your storage to be dedicated to Metadata—a very inefficient and costly deployment.

Innerpool is an innovative and fresh way to take charge of your SAN deployments. Innerpool delivers high performance mirrored RAID storage for Metadata volumes, yet is small enough to fit in an Xserve and Mac Pro.

SETUP

Innerpool installs easily in either Xserves or Mac Pros serving as primary and secondary Metadata controllers. Simply connect one Fibre Channel port from each Innerpool to your Fibre Channel network—then the second Fibre Channel port to the second card. That’s it. Boot the systems and launch the Active Storage Admin application.

The systems are automatically discovered via Bonjour—or you can enter the IP address of the host systems. Select which system is Primary, which is Secondary then click ‘Pair Systems’.

The two systems do all the necessary drive preparation—they format the volumes and set all the options for highest performance. Finally, the two systems mirror each other across the Fibre Channel link so that they are ready in case of Metadata controllable failover.

INNERPOOL TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Unmatched Metadata Storage Performance

• Custom RAID Controller design provides low latency and high throughput for Metadata sizes
• Large battery backed cache-flush guarantee maximum data security Redundance Across the Board
• Self-Contained RAID system installs as a redundant pair in server PCIe slots
• Failover and failback are truly seamless
• Native support for Mac OS X and Xsan
• Battery-backed cache—will keep drives running until failover has completed in the event of server power fail
• Active Storage Metadata optimized RAID 1 Mirror on Card HDD1 to HDD2
• Active Storage Metadata Card-to-Card RAID 1 Mirror Card to Card Across FC interlink
• Auto-setup and LUN support
• Fully discoverable by Xsan 1.4 and later
• Segmented 2GB Cache Memory per Card
• Auto failover between HDDs on a Card
• Auto failover between Cards
• Auto failback and re-sync between Cards
• Auto re-sync between Cards
• Auto re-sync between HDDs after HDD replacement

Management for Today and Tomorrow

• Apple-friendly native Mac OS X management suite
• iPhone monitoring App compatible ^†
• Bonjour discoverable out of the box
• Set up pairs of Innerpool Cards with no scripting
• Automated non-disruptive software updates

RAID Support

• RAID Levels - 0, 1
• LUN Support - Auto-configuring for optimal metadata performance
• Redundant—Full on-Card mirror and Card-to-Card mirror with seamless failover and failback
• SMART reporting†

Configurations

• Dual 2.5” 7200RPM SATA II Hard Disks or Solid State Disks per Innerpool Card
• Custom RAID controller, 2GB cache per Card mirrored across Fibre Channel Interlink
• Primary System Features; redundant 4Gb Fibre and Interlink ports, cache-Flush battery onboard for seamless failover/shutdown, independent management/ monitoring

Management and Monitoring

• Out-of-the-box support on Mac OS X v10.5.x and v10.6.x
• Guided setup assistance can be used to optimize configuration of a pair in a single location, or multiple pairs in single or multiple locations
• 128 Bit SSL security on Active Admin management tool
• Automated software update service
• On-line portal support for analysis of event log transactions^†
• Remote diagnostics and service center monitoring and analysis tool

System Compatibility

• Intel Xserve and Mac Pro compatible
• Requires one open 9.25” PCIe slot per Innerpool Card
• PCIe Slot Compatibility: single slot - 9.25” minimum slot length
• 20 watt heat dissipation
• Installed in pairs in Xsan Metadata Controllers

Interface Specifications

• 2x 4Gb Fibre Channel SFP cage
• Copper Fibre Channel Cable Support:
     - Active 2.9m Copper Fibre Channel Cable P/N ACSIC3MA02
     - Apple Copper Fibre Channel Cable P/N MA461G/A
• Fiber Optic Cable Support:
     - LC/LC Multimode and Single Mode, up to SFP Supported Length
• SFP Support:
     - Finisar P/N FTLF8528P2BNV
     - Finisar P/N FTLF8524P2BNL

^†Available soon

CONFIGURATIONS AND PRICING

FAQ

What is Innerpool™?

Innerpool is a self-contained Metadata storage appliance used for Xsan networks to reduce the overhead on primary RAID systems, and free up wasted capacity.

What is Innerpool compatible with?

Innerpool is designed to work in all Xsan networks from version 1.4 and up.

Will Innerpool work with StorNext, or MetaSAN?

Innerpool currently is qualified with Apple Xsan.

We are working with Quantum to release a version for StorNext, and are considering other SAN sharing applications as well.

Is Innerpool Metadata safe? Is it as well protected as my current RAID?

The design of Innerpool is non-compromising. In some respects, the design is superior to most external RAID systems by offering a double mirror configuration, yet is as resilient as the best quality external systems in every other way - with redundant drives, cooling, and power.

I have 2 MDCs in my Xsan for failover, if Innerpool is in one MDC, and it fails, what happens? Does the SAN stop?

Most Xsan installations (even the smallest ones) will use two MDCs. In the case of small SANs, the secondary MDC will likely be a workstation whose primary function is not as a fulltime MDC. In any case, Innerpool has you covered! Innerpool is actually a matched set of Metadata storage appliances. One Innerpool card resides in the primary MDC and the other in the secondary MDC. If for any reason an MDC fails over or a card fails, the failover of the Innerpool is swift and automatic, not affecting the overall operation of the SAN. The Metadata is redundant and protected.

I use MacPro computers as MDCs in my Xsan, will Innerpool work with them?

Innerpool works equally well with Xserve and MacPro systems. MacPro systems require a support brace that is available from Active at no cost, but must be specified.

As I understand it, Innerpool is a PCIe card. What happens if the MDC crashes? Will it hang the Innerpool?

Innerpool is a PCIe card, but unlike traditional PCIe cards, it only draws power and uses the server (MDCs) ethernet for communication. If the MDC crashes and power and cooling remain, the Innerpool will remain up and perform a systematic failover. The SAN users will not see any interruption in service.

I am currently in a Multi-SAN environment, can Innerpool support multiple Metadata pools on the same Innerpool cards?

Currently Innerpool systems can support a single Metadata/Journaling volume. We plan to support multiple Metadata pools in the near future.

I understand Innerpool is available with Solid State Disks, why would I want them? I hear they are expensive - how much do they cost?

Innerpool will initially be available with high performance 7200RPM 2.5” Hard Disk Drives. These systems offer high capacity, great performance and excellent fault tolerance and resistance to vibration. HDD-based systems can support over one hundred users in nearly all configurations. Solid State Storage is aimed toward the user requiring the highest level of throughput in extreme SAN situations where a very large number of users are working on a large number of smaller video streams, or a large number of re-shares are being used. Solid State Storage is for the user who wants the best. The Solid State Storage solution is not inexpensive, and although pricing has not been established at this time, there will be a significant premium.