Sold in a wide variety of configurations, our most popular solution targets Q-bus I/O computers running MSCP, TMSCP operating software (DU and MU device drivers). Supported operating systems include VMS, Ultrix, RT-11 and RSX-11M+.

The DEC Storage Solution is made up of an single board emulating controller and the ARRAID chassis populated with the ARRAID Flash Drive (AFD). The ARRAID Flash Drive (AFD) is a Solid State SCSI disk replacing traditional mechanical SCSI drives (DAT, QIC, Tape & Magneto Optical Disk). The single board emulating controller takes the place of the disk controller, tape controller and floppy controller in the DEC computer. The emulating controller is configured so that operating software still sees the original DEC devices. The CompactFlash (CF) media in the ARRAID Flash Drive (AFD) is treated exactly the same as the floppy disk media. All drive data is stored on the CF media as if were the original diskette media.

In configuration where an Arraid DEC Storage Solution replaces both disk and tape, the emulating controller may be used concurrently with the existing DEC tape controller. The Customer may then use existing backup media and standard operating system procedures to restore their software to the new disk drives and copy any information stored on tape reels to the new tape media.

An Arraid DEC Storage Solution can be used to replace disk drives in DEC's RK, RL, RA, RD and RF series, TK series tape drives and RX series floppy drives.

Each system is configured to meet the Customer's specific requirements with Qbus and Unibus solutions available.

Features and Benefits

• ARRAID Flash Drive (AFD) option is a Solid State SCSI disk replacing traditional mechanical SCSI drives (DAT, QIC, Tape & Magneto Optical Disk)
• Additional features such as network backup, mirroring, restore and removable media can be added.
• The CompactFlash (CF) media in the ARRAID Flash Drive (AFD) is treated exactly the same as the floppy disk media. All drive data is stored on the CF media as if were the original diskette media.
• AFD network feature option offers LAN network (ethernet-based) back-up and restore capability directly from the AFD using the on board RJ45 Network port. No additional software or register changes are required to the legacy host. Including ARRAIDs FLASH2GUI Software, an optional ethernet support feature for centralised backup and restore capability lessening the reliance to rotate media.  Network option only available on AEM with AFD network drive installed.
• Easy to install. No software changes required.
• Fully compatible with existing operation.
• Use current technology devices for greater computer system reliability with lower cost of ownership.

Mounting for Primary SCSI Storage Device

The legacy disk drive image is stored on the primary SCSI storage device. ARRAID would reccommend our proprietary FPGA based ARRAID Flash Drive (AFD).  AEM-1 Systems may be configured with either fixed or removable drives as the primary storage device. ARRAID FLASH Drive (AFD) are ordered separately. The AFD also offers  backup and restore networking. For **F enclosures, the drive is fixed mounted inside the system enclosure. **RM enclosures include drive bays for removable disk drive modules. The drive bays have a key lock switch for mechanical and electrical interlock. The Customer can have the convenience of removability for security or media distribution, regardless of the construction of the original disk drive.

{tab SCSI Storage Devices}

SCSI Storage Devices

The ARRAID DEC Replacement System always requires a primary SCSI storage device and may require one or more additional devices for split media support or internal copy/backup. Because of the variety of AFD SCSI products available, all ARRAID DEC Replacement System SCSI devices must be defined separately.

The suggested choice for the primary storage device is a the Arraid Flash Drive (AFD). The drive may be in a fixed internal mounting or in a removable drive canister.

The solid state Arraid Flash Drive (AFD) can be configured as a Disk, Tape or Magneto-Optical drive and has proven successful as the primary storage device in many applications, especially when used in a fully cached AEM-1C. Excellent as internal copy/backup devices, these drives and industrial grade CompactFlash (CF) media have the durability to perform well for many years.

Internal Options - Copy/Backup

The ARRAID DEC Replacement System supports a number of internal options that provide the capability to copy the legacy disk image from the primary SCSI device to a second SCSI device. The copying takes place internally to the ARRAID DEC Replacement System, and is independent of the Customer's operating software or hardware. Usually used for system backup, these options can greatly reduce or eliminate the need for a magnetic tape drive on the system.

• NETWORK FEATURE - AFD network feature option offers LAN network (ethernet-based) back-up and restore capability directly from the AFD using the on board RJ45 Network port. No additional software or register changes are required to the legacy host. Includes FLASH2GUI Software which is an optional ethernet support feature for centralised backup and restore capability removing the need to rotate media. Primary data storage is always written to the CF card. Only available on ARRAID DEC Replacement System with AFD drive installed.

• Disk-to-Disk Off-Line Copy - Allows the User to clone emulated disk images from the primary SCSI device to a second, usually identical, SCSI device for backup purposes.

• Disk-to-Cartridge Media Disk Off-line Copy - Allows the User to clone emulated disk images from the primary SCSI device to a second SCSI device, such as a CompactFlash (CF) or MO cartridge disk, for backup or distribution of media among similar systems.
• Disk-to-Tape Off-line Backup - Allows the User to create a backup copy of the emulated disk image on DAT.
• Disk-to-Disk On-Line Copy - Similar to mirroring, the AEM automatically maintains two copies of the emulated image on two SCSI hard drives for added reliability and fault tolerance.
• Disk-to-Cartridge Media Disk On-line Copy - Allows the User to clone emulated disk images from the primary SCSI device to a second SCSI device, such as an MO cartridge disk, without taking the ARRAID DEC Replacement System off-line.
• Combinations of Above Options

For More Information

Contact Arraid representatives to discuss how an Arraid DEC Storage Solution can improve your company's operation.