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CalDigit 2.56TB HDPro External Hard Drive Array (Desktop)

RAID 0, 1, 5, and 6 Support
Eight Swappable Drive Modules
PCI Express x8/x4 Host Card Included
1080/60i and 2K Film Workflows Supported
Works with Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux

B&H# CAHDPROD2.5
Mfr#
731217E

Price: $ 4,464.05
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CalDigit 2.56TB HDPro External Hard Drive Array (Desktop)

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Specifications

The 2.56TB HDPro External Hard Drive Array from CalDigit is an external hard drive array designed for use in performance-intensive environments. The array supports up to 20Gbps bandwidth, and has achieved write speeds of over 300MB/sec in AJA KONA benchmark tests.

The HDPro has enough bandwidth to support multi-stream SD video playback, as well as support for 10-bit footage, 1080/60i HD video, and 2K film workflows. Its modular design, load-balancing power management, and RAID administration utility make it an ideal choice for professional production environments.

• Safe, Reliable Storage: When you need a massive amount of storage for your HD projects, large media files, databases, photos, or audio files, the HDPro is the ideal storage solution.

With support for RAID 5, the HDPro features an advanced distributed parity algorithm. Access to data and parity blocks are spread across all 8 drives in the array. To improve the read and write performance, RAID 5 is not limited to a dedicated parity drive, like RAID 3 solutions.

When configured with RAID 6, fault tolerance is maintained by the world class CalDigit RAID engine, ensuring that the parity information is placed on two drives. This block of data is completely separate from the drives used to store the data itself. This allows for ultimate protection, allowing up to two drives to fail, with the loss of any data.

Offering RAID 0, 1, 5, 6 and JBOD, the HDPro provides safe and reliable operation, all in one package, and backed by CalDigit's 3 year warranty.

• High Speed, Low Cost, Virtually Unlimited Capacity: The CalDigit HDPro offers the best gigabyte-per-dollar ratio in the world for hardware RAID storage. The HDPro is a high-performance storage solution with capacities from 8TB to 16TB. At under $1 per gigabyte, including the PCI card and all required accessories -- it's a fraction of the cost compared to other products in its class.

The CalDigit HDPro uses SATA 3Gbps drives with up to 32MB cache, this means performance that meets the needs of the most demanding video and content editing software. Each 7200rpm SATA hard drive connects to a dedicated SATA channel to eliminate bottlenecks and maximize the 3Gbps native SATA connection. The HDPro utilizes the fast PCIe infrastructure to connect directly to the host computer. Each PCIe lane can reach speeds of up to 250MB/sec, and the HDPro has support for up to 8 lanes. This in turn means that as you add drives, the HDPro scales in both capacity and performance. This powerhouse delivers up to 450MB/sec with RAID 5 protection.

The HDPro delivers sustained data throughput, providing the fastest sustained data rate in its class. These graphs illustrate how the HDPro is able to keep up with the most demanding real world scenarios. Optimized for video playback, the HDPro means dropped frames a thing of the past.

Other RAID storage solutions are capable of playing back 10-bit 1080i uncompressed HD footage in bursts, but dropped frames are commonly experienced after just 2-3 minutes of playback. The HDPro is a true editing solution that maintains its data rates during both editing and playback!

Each HDPro holds up to 8 drive modules in a Tower or 2U affordable rack mount form factor. The hot swappable functionality of the HDPro allows users to upgrade the drive's capacity as needed, while remaining very easy to configure and set up. There is no capacity limitation to any single chassis.

• Managing, Monitoring and Reporting Technology: Each HDPro features an environmental processor, which monitors and manages all aspects of the system including: hard drives, RAID array, controller, controller cache, fans, temperature, power supply, and enclosure conditions. In the event of a problem, the HDPro is capable of sending out an e-mail notification.

The HDPro comes with RAID Shield, CalDigit's powerful and easy to use RAID administration software. RAID Shield is capable of building multiple RAID sets of they fly with a variety of options such as; cache sizes, capacities, slices, a logical unit number, RAID levels and more. This enables storage to be brought online without having to wait for initialization. RAID Shield is entirely based on the TCP/IP architecture. This means that each HDPro can be monitored and managed from anywhere on the intranet. Once setup, RAID Shield provides at-a-glance monitoring for multiple HDPro systems either locally or remotely.

Monitoring the status of the HDPro is easy with CalDigit's intuitive LED visual feedback. The HDPro's indicator lights are conveniently located on the front panel of the HDPro. With just a glance the status of the HDPro can easily be checked. There is also an audible alert to signal any system, controller, or drive failure.

• A Cooler Workstation: Excessive heat can cause major issues and performance problems inside any workstation. Each and every component that is added to a workstation generates heat. These components are generally crammed into a small space, which in turn restricts airflow. The result is additional heat.

As the heat increases, the burden on the workstation rises. This slows down performance and adds additional strain to the workstation, which can cause premature failure of various components.

Unlike other RAID storage solutions, the CalDigit HDPro has a completely external RAID system. It is designed to minimize the heat inside the workstation. Because no additional heat is added, more reliable operation is achieved and individual components can experience a longer lifespan.

• Direct Connection: Unlike Fibre Channel, SCSI, FireWire and eSATA RAID storage, the CalDigit HDPro features a direct connection to the PCI Express bus, utilizing the computers bridge chip and memory system, combined with extremely high link speeds. This direct link eliminates latency introduced by the conversion of other interfaces to PCI Express, and provides superior bandwidth, availability and deployment flexibility as opposed to earlier-generation SCSI and Fibre Channel technology.

PCI Express provides error correction, and adapts to the speed of the PCIe slot automatically. The CalDigit HDPro works with both PCIe 4 lane or 8 lane. And because PCIe has speeds of up to 250MB/sec per lane, bandwidth for ultra fast data transport between the storage system and the host computer can be achieved. These speeds are roughly 5 times faster that traditional fibre solutions. The HDPro comes with a high quality Molex PCI Express cable and special electronics, to ensure a stable and high quality connection. This means both incredible speeds and reliable bandwidth for high-speed data transfers.

• Substantial Cable Connection: HDPro's cable has a substantial connection for added strength and long-term protection as well as performance. The secure latch will prevent the cable from being pulled out accidentally and ensure workflow is uninterrupted.

• Editing on the Go: Many RAID storage systems today are limited to use on desktop workstations. With today's advanced mobile technology there is more and more of a demand for storage on the go. The CalDigit eLane-1ex ExpressCard allows for portable performance in the field, enabling users to capture, develop, edit and create content in almost any environment when using Apple's MacBook Pro or Windows-based notebook.

Because the complete hardware RAID solution is built inside the HDPro, a separate RAID Card is not needed. This means that the HDPro is a completely portable hardware RAID solution, the first of its kind.

This also means that the external RAID storage for the laptop is no longer limited to the slower FireWire and USB connections. The CalDigit eLane-1ex can reach speeds of up to 195MB/s allowing for uncompressed high definition editing on a laptop. 1

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Please Note:

ExpressCard not included

• Built-In Intel XScale Core Processor: The HDPro has an integrated Intel XScale core to accelerate RAID performance and provides support for multiple RAID levels. By utilizing this advanced technology from Intel, the CalDigit HDPro provides a simple and powerful solution for professionals looking to increase performance and add protection to their storage.

• Active Sustained Transfer Technology (ASTT): ASTT was designed by CalDigit's top engineers to provide the ultimate in sustained performance. This advanced technology is unique to CalDigit and cannot be found anywhere else.

With ASTT, the performance of your HDPro is always kept in check. When data is transferred, any highs (peaks) or lows (drops) are equalized by the Active Sustained Transfer Technology.

ASTT optimizes the best transfer size and timing between the RAID controller cache and the host machine. This eliminates performance drops and maximizes the sustained data rate.

ASTT also helps to maintain a continuously smooth transfer rate over the whole capacity of the RAID. This technology is ideal for video editors who need sustained playback, and can't risk dropping frames.

See the difference for yourself, see how the use of ASTT maintains consistent throughput, and other systems without ASTT have sudden drops in performance.

• "Pay-as-You-Grow" Scalability: HDPro is a flexible, open, remarkably scalable, and highly available RAID storage solution with virtually unlimited storage capabilities. It uses CalDigit's advanced PCI Express architecture that enables its 'pay-as-you-grow' scalability.

As additional higher storage capacity becomes necessary with the growth of your media files; more HDPros can be attached and configured easily in the field without downtime. Simply done by adding a few key components -- CalDigit PCIe switch and two-port PCIe card -- these products will achieve your goals efficiently and cost effectively.

Each switch can connect up to 7x HDPros, one host and one switch. Using hierarchical CalDigit PCI Express switch, you can have (in theory) unlimited storage pool across disk available to your media and database.

• Bootable: The HDPro is bootable.

Simply install the operating system of your choice (Mac OS X, Windows, or Linux) onto the HDPro and it will become completely bootable. By booting from HDPro the ability to troubleshoot system issues and start up disks can be achieved whenever errors are encountered.

Booting from a RAID Volume adds both flexibility and mobility. Complete and pre-configured systems can be moved to and from various locations, and can even be used with a laptop.

• No More 2TB Limitation in Windows Platforms: Windows uses 32-bit block numbers in the lower storage stack. This effectively limits support for hardware RAID sets. To get storage unit sizes that are beyond 2TB, one had to combine multiple LUNs (Logical Unit Numbers) using the Windows Disk Management. This is cumbersome and time consuming task.

This problem would give users no other alternatives other than to use software RAID which defeats the purpose of using hardware RAID systems.

CalDigit's team of highly qualified engineers has worked tirelessly to overcome this issue. Now one can utilize the full capacity of HDPro as a single volume. This can be easily done with RAID Shield.

• Satisfaction Guaranteed: CalDigit is committed to providing our customers with complete satisfaction and an enjoyable experience. Besides providing great products, CalDigit feels that the best way to build a long lasting relationship with our customers is by treating them right and giving them the highest quality of customer service.

The HDPro is a rock solid storage system that CalDigit is completely confident in. And because of that, it is backed by a 30-day money back guarantee.

• Single Vendor Support: The HDPro has been entirely designed and developed by CalDigit, with no imported components.

When you purchase an HDPro, you have not only bought one of the best external hardware RAID storage systems on the market today, but you have also acquired CalDigit's legendary customer service and support.

And because CalDigit offers true single vendor support, any questions, or technical support needs are just one phone call away.

Capacity: 2.56TB

Array Type: Swappable

Bays: 8x

Drive Types Supported: SATA 3Gb/s

Channels: 1x

Sustained Data Transfer Rate: RAID 0: 407MB/sec (Read), 400MB/sec (Write)
RAID 5: 400MB/sec (Read), 331MB/sec (Write)
RAID 6: 388MB/sec (Read), 259MB/sec (Write)

Video Stream Playback: Multi-Stream SD, 10-bit, 1080/60i HD, 2K Film

Array Configuration: RAID, JBOD

RAID: RAID 0, 1, 0+1, 5, 6

Desktop/Rackmount: Desktop

Status Indicator: LED, Monitoring Software

Input and Output Connectors: 1x CalDigit eLane
1x RS-232 Serial for monitoring

Fan: 1x Fan

Security: None

System Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux

Compatibility: No Drivers Required

Agency Certifications: Not Specified by Manufacturer

System Requirements: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
PCI Express x8/x4 slot for controller card is required

Electrical Requirements: AC: 110-220VAC
Consumption: 300W

Environmental Requirements: Operating Temperature: 41-140°F (5-60°C)

Dimensions (WxHxD): 7.1 x 15.9 x 10.2" (17.9 x 40.3 x 26cm)

Weight: 36 lb (16.4kg)

What's in the Box

CalDigit 2.56TB HDPro External Hard Drive Array (Desktop)

Power Cord

eLane Cable

PCI Express x8/x4 Controller Card

3-Year Limited Warranty

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