NAS devices run Linux on dual-core Atom D510

By Eric Brown
2010-03-12

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Qnap Systems is readying two 1U network-attached storage (NAS) devices targeting everything from small businesses to enterprises. The Linux-based TS-459U-RP and TS-459U-SP incorporate the dual-core Intel Atom D510 processor, offer up to 8TB of storage via four bays, and are compatible with VMware's vSphere4 (ESX 4.0) virtualization platform, says the company.

The TS-459U-SP and TS-459U-RP, which are identical except for the addition of a redundant power supply on the RP version, fall on the high end of devices typically covered by LinuxDevices. However, they are built on the same basic software and hardware foundation as several other home, SoHo, and SMB NAS devices from Qnap, such as the SoHo-oriented, Atom N270-based TS-439 Pro Turbo NAS and more recent, SMB-targeted TS-439 Pro II (pictured at right).

The TS-459U-RP and TS-459U-SP target SMB, corporate, and entry-level enterprise customers for applications ranging from departmental file sharing and storage to advanced server applications, says Qnap.

With their 19.65 x 16.97 x 1.73-inch (499 x 439 x 44mm) 1U rackmount design, The TS-459U-RP/SP devices look dramatically different from the desktop TS-439 Pro II. However, they share similar features, including support for iSCSI and VMware's vSphere4 (see farther below).

TS-459U-RP/SP
(Click to enlarge)

Whereas the TS-439 Pro II incorporates the single-core Intel Atom D410, the TS-459U-RP/SP devices move up to the dual-core version, the D510. Both of these 1.66GHz-clocked processors are part of Intel's "Pineview" line of Atoms, which integrate graphics processing on-chip for reductions in space and power consumption. (Another recent Linux-based NAS device built around the D510 is the Synology DiskStation DS1010+.)

The TS-459U-RP/SP devices are equipped with 1GB of DDR2 RAM and a 512MB flash DOM (disk on module). They offer room for four 2.5- or 3.5-inch SATA hard disk drives (HDDs) of up to 2TB capacity, for 8TB of total storage. Offering hot-swappable, lockable trays, the new models support RAID 0/1/5/5+ hot spare/6, as well as 256-bit AES volume level encryption, says the company.

TS-459U-RP, rear view
(Click to enlarge)

The TS-459U-RP and TS-459U-SP provide two gigabit Ethernet ports, five USB 2.0 ports (one front-facing), and dual e-SATA ports for storage expansion and printer sharing, says Qnap. Other features are said to include fail-safe dual OS, scheduled power on/off, Wake on LAN, and HDD S.M.A.R.T.

TS-459U-RP detail
(Click to enlarge)

The only difference between the two models is the addition of a redundant power supply in the TS-459U-RP, says Qnap. Should one power supply fail, the other will continue, while alerting the administrator via email or SMS, says the company. The TS-459U-SP is said to be upgradable to the RP configuration with installation of a second power supply module.

Both systems provide power supplies with 100-240 VAC input and 150 Watt output. The devices are said to consume 62 Watts under typical operation, 40 Watts in sleep mode, and three Watts with power off.

The Pro II NAS systems ship with version 3.2 of the Qnap NAS management software, offering new features including improved iSCSI service, SPC-3 Persistent Reservation for clustering, and compatibility with VMware's vSphere4 (ESX 4.0) virtualization platform, says Qnap.

Announced last April, and billed by VMware as a cloud operating system, vSphere4 is used for departmental file sharing, storage, and server applications, says Qnap. (See the YouTube video below for an animated presentation of Qnap 3.2's integration with vSphere4. For more information on Qnap 3.2, see our previous coverage of the TS-439 Pro II, here.)

Stated Laurent Cheng, Product Manager of Qnap Systems, Inc., "These new Business Series models provide businesses of all sizes a solid foundation for their network storage needs and a host of business-critical applications."

Qnap's YouTube video showing 459U-RP/SP integration with VMware (Click to play)

Availability

The TS-459U-RP and TS-459U-SP devices are available this month through Qnap global commercial distributors, resellers, and retailers, says the company. Pricing was unavailable. More information may be found here.

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