DEC-StorageWorksHSJ40-Subsystems

This document details Digital's StorageWorks HSJ40 Subsystems, presenting them as preconfigured, industry-standard storage solutions for Computer Interconnect (CI) clusters. Designed for rapid deployment, these systems arrive as fully integrated packages, including all necessary components like cabinets, controller shelves, disk drives (building blocks), and cables, ready for power-up.

Key features and benefits include:

• Ease of Use & Completeness: Preconfigured solutions simplify setup, with everything needed included in the package.
• Scalability & Capacity: Initial storage capacities range from 6.3 GB to 21.4 GB, expandable to hundreds of gigabytes (e.g., over 225 GB in the larger SW800 cabinet) by adding more drives (3.5-inch RZ26/RZ28 and 5.25-inch RZ74) and shelves.
• High Availability: Supports dual HSJ40 controllers for automatic dual-pathing, redundant power supplies, dual power distribution units, and host-based Volume Shadowing (RAID 1) to ensure continuous access.
• High Performance: Achieved through features like controller-based RAID 0 (disk striping), spreading data across multiple drives for improved response times, and dual controllers which can double I/O request capacity (up to 2200 I/O requests/s).
• Flexibility & Customization: The modular architecture allows for mixing and matching supported devices, choosing between tall (SW800) or smaller (SW500) datacenter cabinets, and easily expanding capacity.
• Connectivity: HSJ40 controllers directly attach to CI star couplers, supporting up to 36 devices via six SCSI-2 buses.

The document highlights various entry and starter packages (SW810/510, SW811/511, SW812/512) built with different drive types and capacities, emphasizing their growth potential and the robust, high-end storage capabilities enabled by the HSJ40's upgradable firmware and cache.