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Storage & Servers

R E V I E W

First-Class NAS

August 21, 2003
By Steven Schuchart Jr.

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Dell PowerVault 775N

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	In this article
	Introduction
	Dell PowerVault 775N
	Excel Meridian Data NetStor MVD
	Hewlett-Packard HP StorageWorks NAS B3000
	First Intelligent Array POPnetserver 8000
	Procom Technology NetForce 1800
	Executive Summary \| Web Links
	How We Tested
	Report Card

The PowerVault 775N is one of two units we tested that use Windows SAK as its base operating system. We were a little skeptical of this approach. After all, why buy a NAS if you're just going to load Windows? However, between SAK and the vendor's customization, both the PowerVault and HP's StorageWorks NAS B3000 were good contenders, with some inherent advantages over their Unix variant-based counterparts. The fact that Dell's unit costs about $10,000 less than HP's gave it a big edge--and thus, our Editor's Choice award.

The PowerVault 775N is a relabeled PowerEdge 2650 server connected via a PERC3 RAID card to a PowerVault 220s Ultra 320 SCSI JBOD and loaded with the Windows SAK. Although that may not sound exciting, the combination makes an impressive NAS device. This machine is loaded with two 2.4-GHz Intel Xeon processors and 1 GB of RAM. The PowerVault has all the familiar server features of a Dell PowerEdge server, including DRAC (Dell Remote Access Card) and front-panel diagnostics with the LED and ActiveBezel that we like. Two onboard copper Gigabit Ethernet ports on their own PCI-X bus provide network connectivity. For expansion, the PowerVault 775N has two 100-MHz PCI-X slots and one 133-MHz PCI-X slot on different buses to provide ample bandwidth. The PowerVault supports up to 16.7 TB of storage for your users and applications.

With all that hardware goodness and bus bandwidth, you might think the unit ran away with testing. Almost, but not quite. In CIFS testing, the 775N did well on the linear write tests, but fell down on the linear read tests. However, it did win the NWC CIFS Generalized Custom Test and only lost the CIFS IOps test to the HP unit by a thin margin. On the NFS side, the PowerVault performed predictably poorly, as Windows-based systems often falter on NFS testing.

NAS Device Features

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Managing the PowerVault 775N is a breeze. You can use the prefabricated menus to configure the system, or control the machine directly via terminal services--very nice. If you can administer a standard Windows 2000 Server, you'll have no trouble managing the PowerVault 775N--it's visually indistinguishable from a Windows 2000 Server installation. If you prefer a NAS appliance's look and feel, the configuration menus available from the Web browser interface are easy to use. You also can manage multiple appliances from one interface; the 775N will discover other Dell NAS devices via an agent on all Dell NAS machines. Administrators in Dell shops will especially appreciate being able to manage the 775N with Dell's OpenManage server management software.

Dell offers standard snapshots called ActiveArchives, NDMP and any standard Windows Server 2000 agent for backup software, which is a huge advantage for Windows-powered NAS devices. The 775N also offers seamless integration with Windows directory and authentication services, including ADS, another advantage. Of course, you can use local authentication to secure the machine. Dell offers a number of software options, including virus scanning, for an additional fee.

The Dell PowerVault 775N comes with a three-year, on-site, next business day parts and labor warranty.

Dell PowerVault 775N, Dell, (512) 338-4400, (800) 999-3355. www.dell.com