RAID Controller Runs Intel 960RP Chip

Rainer Mauth

The GDT RP is one of the first RAID controllers to run Intel's 960RP chip. It consists of a 30-MIPS RISC processor with local memory, a PCI-to-PCI bridge, and built-in support for interrupt handling and DMA transfers. The new chip makes the GDT RP compatible with the upcoming I2O I/O standard. But since OSes for I2O are not ready for market yet, you'll have to wait several more months to capitalize on I2O's performance and manageability benefits.

The GDT RP bridges I/O gaps between the CPU and disks via high-speed bus transactions and intelligent caching algorithms. This new PCI board can carry up to 64 MB of cache memory, implemented either as fast-page-mode or EDO SIMM modules. If 64 MB is not enough, an option al PCI module lets you extend cache memory to a piggyback board. In addition, the caching algorithm includes adaptive delayed-write and read-forward functions. You can now buy the board in Wide and Ultra SCSI versions; a Fibre Channel version will be available by the end of the year.

With ICP Vortex's RAIDYNE firmware installed, disk arrays with RAID levels 0, 1, 4, 5, and 10 work independently of the host machine. You can plug in extra disks and change RAID levels during operation. It also enables you to assign a spare disk to a single RAID cluster or define a pool of extra disks that can be used by all clusters in case of failure.

Because the GDT RP comes in several variants with up to five independent SCSI channels, it's a scalable solution. It works in mid-size file servers as well as in high-end database servers with a capacity of more than 25 GB.

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Where to Find

GDT RP RAID Controller
.................Starts at DM 2150 (one SCSI channel) 

ICP Vortex
Flein, Germany
Phone:    +49 7131 5972 14
Fax:      +49 7131 2550 63
Internet: 
http://www.icp-vortex.com

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Run That Chip

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