HP StorageWorks 500 G2 Modular Smart Array

HP Updated: 2008-02-23
HP StorageWorks 500 G2 Modular Smart Array

The HP StorageWorks 500 G2 Modular Smart Array is a simple and reliable RAID storage system for enterprise remote offices, distributed computing environments and medium business. Built upon reliable and high performance Smart Array technology the Modular Smart Array 500 G2 offers customers flexibility to cluster servers or share storage for improved storage utilization. The 2nd generation MSA500 system incorporates end-to-end Ultra320 SCSI technology and delivers best-in-class performance and rapid drive rebuild technology. It supports up to 14 HP Universal disk drives and is expandable with an in-place upgrade to the MSA1000. The new Modular Smart Array 500 G2 system adds support for 4-node clusters and a combined cluster and storage sharing environment.

These storage solutions offer the best price/performance and best price/availability features for direct attach environments, small clusters, workgroups and entry-level SAN environments. Each solution is designed to be easy to deploy, secure, reduce management costs, while driving rapid return on investment.

In addition to convertibility to the SAN, the Modular Smart Array 500 G2 allows the seamless migration of stored data in ProLiant servers protected by Smart Array PCI controllers to a Modular Smart Array 500 system. Data that is currently stored on 1" Universal disk drives using HP Smart Array controllers can easily be migrated to the Modular Smart Array 500 G2. Simply remove the drives from the older systems and insert them into the Modular Smart Array 500 G2. Existing data and configuration will remain intact. In addition, the RAID set and data will be preserved allowing migration to be completed in minutes, not hours.

What's new

* 4-node clustering support
* High bandwidth Ultra320 SCSI controllers and connectivity and 256MB read/write cache standard, expandable to 512MB cache
* Double the performance for RAID 5 and RAID ADG environments
* Rapid Drive Rebuild technology - 5× drive rebuild acceleration as compared to previous MSA500
* Two Ultra320 SCSI adapters included in MSA500 G2 package - no additional HBA purchase necessary
* WHQL certified for new ProLiant G5 and AMD-based Servers

Features & Benefits

* Simplicity: Simplified clustering for ProLiant servers -
Seamless support of clustered environments
Clustering certification for Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Novell NetWare operating systems
Easy to manage storage system utilizes familiar ProLiant storage configuration and system management tools
Supporting up to a 4-node cluster configurations for ProLiant servers

* Value: Designed for affordable high availability and data protection -
Hardware redundancy with dual controllers, power supplies, cooling, and split disk backplane
Multi-path functionality for dual connectivity paths and load balancing
Support for RAID 0, 1, 1+0, 5, and Advanced Data Guarding
Optional HP StorageWorks Storage Mirroring Software is ideal for remote replication

* Agility: Reliable, easy to manage shared storage -
Built upon familiar SCSI technology - no network infrastructure required
Common array configuration interface with all Smart Array and Modular Smart Array products
Upgradable - Convertible to HP StorageWorks Modular Smart Array 1000 for capacity expansion and increased host

* Agility: Adaptive Storage for changing environment and business needs -
Clustering and data replication software supported
Support up to 2TB of storage and 4 ProLiant servers
Simple conversion to MSA1000 and scale out host support and capacity expansion
Utilizes HP Universal SCSI disk technology

* Value: Optimized for performance in multi-server environments -
Increased RAID 5 and RAID ADG workload performance over MSA500 1st generation
Rapid drive rebuild technology - decreasing drive rebuilds to 1/5 the time
256MB read/write cached standard - upgradeable to 512MB
End-to-end Ultra320 SCSI technology

* Agility: Increased fault tolerance with multi-path and dual controller options -
Increased availability by protecting against HBA and cable failures and accidental pull-outs
Provided with MSA500 G2 4-Port I/O module

* Clustering features -
2, 3, & 4-node high availability clustering for Windows Server 2003 enterprise edition, Windows 2000 Advanced Server, Red Hat Linux, SuSE Linux and Novell NetWare
Up to 4-node high availability clustering for Linux and NetWare
Shared storage for up to 4 ProLiant servers

* High Availability Features -
Boot from storage - move all disks to external storage for best capacity utilization
Fault tolerance - RAID; fully redundant controllers, power, fans and multi-path connectivity

* Manageability Features -
HP Array Configuration Utility and Open View System Insight Manager decrease management time and complexity; Optional HP StorageWorks Storage Mirroring Software offers data replication and disaster recovery.

* Enhanced Features -
Data integrity - Battery backed cache, cache coherency, and end-to-end error checking
Performance - 640MB/s bandwidth, end-to-end Ultra320 SCSI host and disk drive interface
Reliability - 3 years warranty with next day on site service; disk drive pre-failure warranty