The Edge

The Edge is a NAS Server targeted to SMBs that includes/is based on the Standard Edition of Windows Unified Data Storage Server (WUDSS). It connects (via FC) to the vendor's SASBoy, SATABoy, and/or SATABeast storage arrays (differing types of storage can be connected for tiered storage deployments), providing both block (iSCSI) and file (CIFS/NFS) level data storage to network connected machines. LAN connectivity is via dual Gig Ethernet ports, while connectivity to the storage arrays is via 4 Gb/sec FC ports (the product starts with 1 or 2 FC ports, with the vendor noting that more can be added if required). RAID processing is performed by the attached storage itself; and not at the NAS Server level.

The Edge itself is a single power supply 1U component, including dual (mirrored) 80 GB drives that are used for cached memory. The vendor states that the product can support a connected storage pool of up to 84 TB, total. A Quad-Core 2.2 GHz processor and 4 GB of memory drives the unit.

Management-wise, the product ships with the vendor's Nexsan Edge Management (NEM) GUI utility, which can be accessed remotely (LAN, MAN, or WAN) and provides a single interface for the management both of WUDSS as well as the attached storage arrays (WUDSS can also be managed via the native Microsoft WUDDS management interface and services.) Features include support for multiple authentication integrations, including A/D, Kerberos, NT Domains, NTLM, NIS, and Apple User Account Management; storage and server monitoring tools; RAID management tools; E-mail alert support; and SNMP trap support. Overall, the vendor states that the platform (with attached storage) supports up to 2,000 volumes, 512 snapshots per logical volume (for up to 63 logical volumes), and Microsoft DFS replication.

The Edge is available now. Street pricing for The Edge plus a SATABoy storage array with 8 500 GB SATA drives is approximately $25,000.

Contact Nexsan for further information.