File Servers Get Thinner, Cheaper

Dave Andrews

You've heard of thin clients -- now look out for thin servers. Several vendors are touting new file servers that offer easier installation, more flexibility, and lower prices than traditional file servers.

Although implementations vary, these new file servers (also known as network drives or direct-attached storage devices) usually include a low-cost RISC processor, real-time operating system, built-in network connections, ASICs, and disk enclosures for mass storage. The real-ti me OS approach lets vendors base these thin servers on inexpensive dedicated I/O chips instead of general-purpose CPUs such as the Pentium.

Because vendors port standards such as NFS, HTTP, SMB, and HTTP to run over their real-time OSes, these thin servers can appear as just another drive or server to other computers or applications on the network. Attach a thin server to the network, and the system will configure itself (while likely asking you a few questions on the way) without requiring you to shut down your server. Using a real-time OS that supports popular networking protocols, instead of NT or NetWare, lets you add storage devices without having to buy new OS licenses. And since you manage the storage using another PC that's already on the network, these miniservers don't require keyboards, monitors, mice, or other peripherals. The end result: a mini file server that's about the size of a bread box and is available for a price that starts at less than $1000.

Mike Peterson, president of Strategic Research (Santa Barbara, CA), a market research firm that covers storage management, says these new types of network-ready storage products offer easier installation and management than traditional solutions, while letting workgroups add storage close to t he users rather than at a centralized location. Network-ready storage systems reduce the data traffic going out from one workgroup's subnet across the network.

Several vendors have begun shipping such devices, including Creative Design Solutions (408-653-1330; http://www.creativedesign.com ), Axis Communications (617-938-1188; http://www.axis.com ), and soon, Mylex's Network Power & Light division (510-608-2222; npl@mylex.com). Creative's Plug & Stor 100 internal version is an AT motherboard for building storage servers, while the 3.5-pound external version ( see the photo ) includes a 3 .5-inch drive bay and attaches directly to the network. While other vendors use I/O processors, Creative uses the Pentium. Axis' StorPoint HD family uses multiple Iomega transportable Jaz drives and sells at prices starting at $999. Mylex's NPL division won't formally announce its products until later this year, but company officials confirm the products will be based on a dedicated I/O processor and a real-time OS.

Net drives satisfy a variety of needs, especially affordable storage additions for workgroups, vendors say. However, these devices aren't suitable for all server/storage needs. For one thing, unless based on a high-performing CPU that can run NT or a commercial Unix, these peripherals won't be useful as application servers. Also, initial systems are not powerful enough to scale into high I/O loads that a large disk array needs. Like network PCs, network-ready drives won't solve every problem. But they offer an easy, affordable solution to many storage management problems today. -Dave An drews

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A Lot of Server in a Little Package

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Creative Design's external Plug & Stor weighs just 3.5 pounds and includes built-in network connections.