First Look: Maxtor’s High Capacity 1u Storage Server

Wayne N. Kawamoto
Managing Editor, www.smallbusinesscomputing.com

Maxtor Corporation (NYSE: MXO) announced the availability of its high capacity workgroup-class storage server, the 640 GB MaxAttach NAS 4300. The server is also available in a 480 GB configuration. The new Windows Powered, 1U-high systems, are designed for small to medium size businesses and enterprise workgroup/department environments. According to the company, these rack-mountable systems fulfill storage needs for cross-platform file sharing, high-speed data backup and restoration, email archiving and server consolidation.

The new MaxAttach models are enhancements to the original NAS 4300 that began shipping in July 2001. It features up to 60 percent more storage capacity than the previous generation’s 400 GB capacity. In addition, these new storage servers have evaluation copies of MaxAttach EMS and MaxAttach SVS email archiving and storage virtualization software pre-loaded.

In addition to enhancing system availability, the NAS 4300 is designed to enhance data availability with Persistent Storage Manager software that allows administrators to periodically record a “snapshot” of the storage server’s entire disk volume. If a file is inadvertently erased, the stored image or single file can be accessed for instant recovery.

Other key features of the MaxAttach NAS 4300 include:
7 Fast Processor – Pentium III 866MHz processor
7 Generous Memory – 384 MB SDRAM
7 High Availability and Data Protection – including Persistent Storage Manager snapshot utility, and RAID levels 0, 1, and 5 data protection.
7 Broad Connectivity – Standard network interfaces include dual 10/100 Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet, and a SCSI port for local tape backup.
7 Cross-Platform File Sharing – Support for Windows, UNIX/Linux, Macintosh and NetWare clients.
7 Technical Support – 24 x 7 telephone technical support is included with all MaxAttach storage servers.

Network Attached Solutions
Maxtor’s MaxAttach EMS and MaxAttach SVS software, developed collaboratively with OTG Software, are available for the MaxAttach NAS 4300 to manage email and data. MaxAttach EMS software should help to manage email volume by automatically offloading email data from Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Domino email servers to the MaxAttach NAS 4300 storage servers, providing end users with more storage capacity to save messages and attachments. MaxAttach SVS software should ease IT management overhead by consolidating server storage into a single, virtual storage pool.

When combined with data backup software from Legato and VERITAS, the MaxAttach NAS 4300 should provide a cost-effective disk-to-disk backup solution as part of an overall backup strategy. This solution should establish Maxtor’s storage servers as an attractive complement to a traditional tape backup system, at roughly the same cost per gigabyte. Maxtor’s MaxAttach NAS storage servers are designed to be compatible with network management tools from leading vendors such as Computer Associates, Hewlett-Packard, and Tivoli Systems.

Availability, Pricing and Service
Maxtor’s MaxAttach NAS 4300 480 GB and 640 GB models are priced at $4,499 and $5,499 MSRP and are now available worldwide. Pricing for MaxAttach EMS software is $4,999. MaxAttach SVS software pricing starts at $1,149. Maxtor is offering a 30-day free trial for both software products, after which a license can be purchased from Maxtor-authorized resellers.

Small Business Computing Staff
Small Business Computing Staff
Small Business Computing addresses the technology needs of small businesses, which are defined as businesses with fewer than 500 employees and/or less than $7 million in annual sales.

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