Four-Channel RAID Controller Enhances Performance and Simplifies Hardware Configuration Using Four Ultra ATA/133 Hard Drives
Milpitas, Calif. -- Feb. 11, 2003 -- Promise Technology, Inc., the originator and global leader in ATA RAID data protection and storage solutions, today announced expansion of its FastTrak family of ATA RAID controllers with the FastTrak TX4000 controller for Ultra ATA/133 drives.
Promise's FastTrak TX4000 ATA RAID controller targets high-performance desktop PC users interested in achieving enhanced performance in four-drive ATA RAID set-ups with a controller solution that provides four independent Ultra ATA channels. Using one independent channel for each of the four drives eliminates the master-slave drive configuration used on two-channel controllers, enabling greater cable flexibility, improving data throughput, and providing hot-swap support in a RAID 0+1 set-up when paired with Promise's SuperSwap 1000 hot-swap drive enclosure.
"As the market for ATA RAID continues to grow, storage users are looking for targeted solutions that address their unique requirements. Promise responds with highly-focused customer-specific solutions," said Sam Sirisena, vice president of sales and marketing worldwide, Promise Technology Inc. "With this new controller, Promise provides performance-oriented Ultra ATA users with the optimal cost-effective four-drive RAID solution."
Promise's FastTrak TX4000 controller leverages the company's hardware and software expertise to maximize performance in an entry-level, value-oriented RAID system. FastTrak controllers provide data protection and performance enhancement with support for RAID levels 0 (striping), 1 (mirroring), and 0+1 (striping and mirroring). The FastTrak TX4000 employs Promise Technology's single-chip controller ASIC with an integrated BIOS that automatically recognizes which type of drive is in place and optimizes performance, delivering data transfer speeds up to 266MB/sec.
To assure faster transfers, Promise cards use sophisticated data handling techniques to make data transfers more efficient and minimize overloading the host system CPU and slowing system response. Promise FastTrak controllers also include user-friendly FastBuild software to simplify installation and Promise Array Management (PAM) software, a professional-level visual administration tool to monitor and maintain the storage subsystem locally or remotely.
About Promise Technology, Inc.
Promise Technology is the originator and global leader of ATA RAID, using cost-effective ATA technology to design and manufacture fast, reliable data protection and storage alternatives to SCSI RAID systems. With its history of ATA product and technology development, Promise Technology is the recognized world leader in ATA controllers, ATA RAID cards and ATA RAID subsystems. Promise Technology maintains ongoing product development relationships with leading ATA hard drive manufacturers and server and storage OEMs. Headquartered in Milpitas, CA, the company maintains offices in Europe, Taiwan, and China.