Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:
Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum

Keywords: Match:
Device Profile: Intel SS4000-E storage server
(Mar. 16, 2006)

Intel has embedded a 2.6 Linux kernel in a compact NAS (network-attached storage) server that aims to bring enterprise storage management features such as hot-swap SATA drives and enclosure management to the entry-level SMB/SOHO market. The SE4000-E stores up to 2TB, and is available now.


The SS4000-E is a bookshelf-sized NAS server

The market for Linux-based SMB/SOHO storage devices with enterprise features is fairly well-proven by vendors such as Buffalo, whose PowerPC-based TeraStation (shown at right) and LinkStation have been widely available for about a year. Street prices for a TeraStation with "1TB" (actually four 250GB ATA drives) appear to run about $750.

The SS4000-E costs more -- just over $600 with a single 250GB drive installed. However, it does offer several enterprise-like features not found in the TeraServer. It supports faster SATA drives, allows drives to be changed without powering the device down (hot-swapping), and has an enclosure management system aimed at protecting the system from thermal overload, power supply over-voltaging, and backplane short-circuiting.

What'll she do?

The SS4000-E supports up to four 3.5-inch SATA drives, sized from 80GB to 400GB. It also supports external drives attached via USB 2.0. Maximum supported capacity is 2TB, Intel says.

The SS4000-E connects via two gigabit-Ethernet LAN ports, and also offers an internal miniPCI slot, supporting the addition of a wireless radio. Supported network protocols include NFS, FTP, CIFS, and SMB.

Another interesting feature is the ability to boot from the network, when used with a client NIC that supports PXE boot.

The SS4000-E has a browser-based admin interface supporting user- and group-based permissions and quotas, support for linear storage, as well as RAID configurations 10, 5, 1, or 0. An automated backup and recovery utility works with Windows clients.

What's under the hood?

The SS4000-E is based on an Intel IOP80219 processor, clocked at 400MHz or 600MHz. Datasheets suggest the SS4000-E's SBC (single-board computer) also supports Intel's IOP80321 processor.


SS4000-E block diagram
(Click to enlarge)

Additionally, the design incorporates a Lattice ispMACH 4064V, a CPLD (complex programmable logic device) programmed to serve as an enclosure management controller that, in conjunction with Winbond W83792AD sensors, regulates fan speed. The two-speed, 42mm fan is bumped to high speed when backplane temperatures eclipse 42 degrees C, returning to low when they reach 37 degrees. At temperatures over 55 degrees, a thermal event log entry is created, and the system shuts down. The CPLD additionally protects against power supply over-voltaging, and short-circuiting.

The SS4000-E boots and runs Linux from 32MB of NOR flash, and has 256MB of RAM, installed in a normal 184-pin DIMM slot supporting a max of 1GB of DDR200 RAM, with ECC. The 4-port hot-swap SATA backplane is run by a SATA controller connected via PCI-X to a SATA host bus adapter.


Rear view
(Click to enlarge)
I/O ports include dual gigabit Ethernet, dual USB 2.0, and a miniPCI slot.

The SS4000-E has a 200W power supply. It measures 8.4 x 6.3 x 9.6 inches (214 x 160 x 243 mm), and weighs 7 pounds without drives, or 12 pounds with all drive bays full (3.5 or 5.45 Kgm).

Availability

The SS4000-E is available now, through a variety of Intel resellers.

Other Linux-based NAS appliances for the SMB/SOHO market are available from a variety of vendors -- see the "Related Stories" section below.



Related Stories:

(Click here for further information)


FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.

Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.

Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.

Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.

High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.

Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.

Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.

Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

 


Got a HOT tip?   please tell us!
Free weekly newsletter
Enter your email...
Click here for a profile of each sponsor:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Check out the latest Linux powered...

mobile phones!

other cool
gadgets



BREAKING NEWS

• Appliances use Pentium M SoC
• Laser-guided French robots run Linux
• GPL compliance guide published
• PMPs run Linux on ARM Cortex
• Linux to gain anti-virus software
• Intel aims x86 at digital TVs
• Intel unveils dual-core Atom
• Linux powers MID-like nav device
• Virtualization technology targets MIDs
• Open-source phone getting WiFi sign-on port
• Streaming media player targets netbooks, nettops
• Intel announces high-speed SSDs
• Dell embeds Linux in enterprise laptops
• Utilities automate Debian filesystem creation
• Linux SDKs target Cortex-A8 SoCs


Most popular stories -- past 90 days:
• Open source phone goes mass-market
• Updated! Linux Mobile Phones Showcase
• World's cheapest Linux-based laptop?
• Garmin Nav devices run Gnome Linux
• First Atom-based notebook runs Linux
• ARM9 board boots Debian in 0.69 seconds
• Open source camera records geotagged video to SATA HDD
• Linux-friendly Beagle fetches $150
• "PDA phone" runs Linux
• Intel offers $80 "Little Falls" Atom mobo
• Netflix Player runs Linux


DesktopLinux headlines:
• Linux to gain anti-virus software
• Linux gains backup utility
• Testing Lenny
• HP offers Linux on low-end mini-notes
• Dell shipping five Hardy Heron systems
• IBM pushes "Microsoft-free" desktops
• Unified communications groupware comes to Linux
• Lightweight GNOME alternative emerges
• Freespire lives! Goes back to Debian
• gOS 3.0 goes Gadget crazy


Also visit our sister site:


Sign up for LinuxDevices.com's...

news feed

Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  About  |  Contact
 

Ziff Davis Enterprise Home | Contact Us | Advertise | Link to Us | Reprints | Magazine Subscriptions | Newsletters
Tech RSS Feeds | White Papers | ROI Calculators | Tech Podcasts | Tech Video | VARs | Channel News

Baseline | Careers | Channel Insider | CIO Insight | DesktopLinux | DeviceForge | DevSource | eSeminars |
eWEEK | Enterprise Network Security | LinuxDevices | Linux Watch | Microsoft Watch | Mid-market | Networking | PDF Zone |
Publish | Security IT Hub | Strategic Partner | Web Buyer's Guide | Windows for Devices

Developer Shed | Dev Shed | ASP Free | Dev Articles | Dev Hardware | SEO Chat | Tutorialized | Scripts |
Code Walkers | Web Hosters | Dev Mechanic | Dev Archives | igrep

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.