Apple's new midrange storage array

Apple last week launched a midrange storage array and a new version of its Xserve server. The Xserve RAID storage system is a 3U-high enclosure containing as much as 2.5 terabytes of Fibre Channel-attached Advanced Technology Attached storage. It uses a 2G bit/sec Apple Fibre Channel PCI card to connect to the server. The new Xserve has a faster 1.33-GHz processor and system bus, and faster memory and I/O. The company has expanded the size of the disk drives up to 720G bytes of storage and added IP over FireWire support for clustering. The Xserve RAID starts at $6,000. One-CPU Xserve server starts at $2,800. Both are expected to be available next month.

Novell will ship the next version of its flagship network operating system, NetWare 6.5, code-named Nakoma, by midyear. Nakoma will feature simplified administration, better access and improved storage administration. It will include a virtual office that lets users from any Web-enabled device access e-mail, network files and applications. Nakoma also will incorporate the Silverstream application server, as well as Apache and Tomcat Web applications and MySQL database. As part of its enhanced storage management features, Nakoma will support iSCSI, software-based RAID 1 and 5, snapshot backup, storage resource management and data-pooling. It also will include integrated DirXML connectivity to Windows NT domains and Active Directory and support for blade servers and management.

3Com last week announced the SuperStack 3 Switch 4228G, a 28-port 10/100M bit/sec switch with two copper and two modular Gigabit Ethernet ports. The Layer 2 switch is targeted at wiring closets and can be deployed in stacks of four and managed with a single IP address. The switch is available now for $920.

To continue reading, register here and become an Insider. You'll get free access to premium content from CIO, Computerworld, CSO, InfoWorld, and Network World. See more Insider content or sign in.

Apple last week launched a midrange storage array and a new version of its Xserve server. The Xserve RAID storage system is a 3U-high enclosure containing as much as 2.5 terabytes of Fibre Channel-attached Advanced Technology Attached storage. It uses a 2G bit/sec Apple Fibre Channel PCI card to connect to the server. The new Xserve has a faster 1.33-GHz processor and system bus, and faster memory and I/O. The company has expanded the size of the disk drives up to 720G bytes of storage and added IP over FireWire support for clustering. The Xserve RAID starts at $6,000. One-CPU Xserve server starts at $2,800. Both are expected to be available next month.

Novell will ship the next version of its flagship network operating system, NetWare 6.5, code-named Nakoma, by midyear. Nakoma will feature simplified administration, better access and improved storage administration. It will include a virtual office that lets users from any Web-enabled device access e-mail, network files and applications. Nakoma also will incorporate the Silverstream application server, as well as Apache and Tomcat Web applications and MySQL database. As part of its enhanced storage management features, Nakoma will support iSCSI, software-based RAID 1 and 5, snapshot backup, storage resource management and data-pooling. It also will include integrated DirXML connectivity to Windows NT domains and Active Directory and support for blade servers and management.

3Com last week announced the SuperStack 3 Switch 4228G, a 28-port 10/100M bit/sec switch with two copper and two modular Gigabit Ethernet ports. The Layer 2 switch is targeted at wiring closets and can be deployed in stacks of four and managed with a single IP address. The switch is available now for $920.

Read more about data center in Network World's Data Center section.