Storage Processors enable hard drive cascading.
Share:
Press Release Summary:
Second generation SteelVine(TM) storage processors, models SiI5723, SiI5734, SiI5744 and SiI5733, feature hot-plug capacity expansion, dual eSATA Gen2m and USB 2.0 host interfaces, single button backup, RAID 0, RAID 1, and 2 multi-RAID modes, and SAFE33 and SAFE50, without need for software or drivers. Up to 3 TB storage can be added to single system with eSATA-based capacity expansion, while SATA ports operate at 3 Gbps.
Original Press Release:
Silicon Image Announces General Availability of Second Generation SteelVine(TM) Storage Processors
SUNNYVALE, Calif., March 26 // -- Silicon Image, Inc. (NASDAQ:SIMG), a leader in semiconductors for the secure storage, distribution and presentation of high-definition content, today announced the general availability of the second generation SteelVine(TM) storage processors, the SiI5723, SiI5734, SiI5744 and SiI5733. The new, higher performance SteelVine processors have been designed to give motherboard and storage appliance manufacturers a more powerful and cost-effective solution, with lower power requirements and a smaller footprint. Several companies demonstrated new products integrating the functionality of the second generation of SteelVine processors at CeBIT, the world's leading technology tradeshow.
The second generation SteelVine processors offer advanced storage capabilities, including drive cascading for hot-plug capacity expansion, dual eSATA Gen2m and USB 2.0 host interfaces, automatic drive locking and single button backup, RAID 0, RAID 1 and two multi-RAID modes, SAFE33 and SAFE50, without requiring any software, drivers or special user knowledge.
"The second generation SteelVine storage processors add exciting new capabilities at an extremely attractive price point," said Conrad Maxwell, Silicon Image's senior product line manager for SteelVine products.
Key features of the second generation SteelVine processors include eSATA- based capacity expansion that allows users to add capacity as their needs grow by simply adding more drives. eSATA-based and hot-pluggable, capacity expansion allows additional hard disk enclosures to be cascaded in "daisy chain" fashion to increase the size of an existing disk. Using currently available drives, customers can add up to three terabytes of storage to a single system. eSATA's three gigabit-per-second interface ensures speedy access to all drives in a cascaded array.
Customers with legacy USB ports can also take advantage of this family of storage processors. When users upgrade their systems to benefit from the full power of a 3 Gbps SATA host link, they gain up to 6x performance increase using the same storage processor.
Drive locking helps protect users' critical personal or office data by allowing them to password protect all drives. Once locked, a drive's data is protected from access until it is unlocked by a user-supplied password. Single-button backup is supported through third-party applications for simple and automatic data backup.
The second generation of SteelVine processors also features the signature hardware-based multi-RAID solution that addresses both data security and capacity expansion with as few as two external drives. The two multi-RAID modes -- SAFE33 and SAFE50 -- divide external drives into multiple volumes: one SAFE and one BIG. The new multi-RAID modes present a more efficient way for users to keep critical data safe and increase drive capacity at the same time.
The SiI5723 processor is designed specifically for consumer electronics devices, digital video recorders (DVRs) and PC motherboards. This SteelVine Storage Processor features a 3 Gbps SATA host interface and two eSATA capable device ports.
The SiI5734 processor, with its combination of eSATA and USB 2.0 host interfaces, is ideal for single-drive external enclosures and external backup drives. This SteelVine Storage Processor has two eSATA device ports, one eSATA host port and one USB 2.0 host port.
The SiI5744 processor, designed for digital home and small office storage appliances, delivers additional power through advanced RAID functions, including RAID 0, 1, and new modes SAFE 33 and SAFE 50 at a competitive cost. This SteelVine Storage Processor connects a USB 2.0 or an eSATA host port to two eSATA device ports. Features of the SiI5744 include advanced RAID modes, drive locking and single-button backup. Extensive software developer kits are available from Silicon Image to simplify product differentiation.
The SiI5733 processor is aimed at HDTV, DVR, set-top box and PC motherboard manufacturers, giving them a cost-effective storage solution that is simple, scalable, reliable and secure. This SteelVine Storage Processor has a 3 Gbps SATA host interface and two eSATA capable device ports. The SiI5733 is the first storage processor on the market to offer content security through automatic drive locking, making drive security simple and requiring no effort by the user. The SiI5733 addresses the risk of data theft from a stolen or lost drive by locking the drive to the host (HDTV, DVR, set-top box or PC) automatically.
All SteelVine storage processor SATA ports operate at three gigabits per second and comply with the eSATA Gen2m portions of the SATA 2.5 specifications, making them suitable for use with the current crop of high performance SATA Gen II drives. Software development kits are available from Silicon Image allowing OEMs to create custom branded products using these new storage processors.
Pricing and Availability
The next-generation SteelVine processors are generally available now with volume pricing at less than $5.00. Please contact a Silicon Image sales representative for a detailed price quote.
About Silicon Image, Inc.
Headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, Silicon Image, Inc. is a leader in driving the architecture and semiconductor implementation for the secure storage, distribution and presentation of high-definition content in the consumer electronics and personal computing markets. Silicon Image creates and drives industry standards for digital content delivery such as DVI, HDMI(TM) and Serial ATA, leveraging partnerships with global leaders in the consumer electronics and personal computing markets to meet the growing digital content needs of consumers worldwide. With a proven track record of improving cross- product interoperability, Silicon Image has shipped more than 100 million HDMI/HDCP and DVI/HDCP semiconductor solutions. In addition, Silicon Image offers one of the most robust and comprehensively tested technology platforms in the consumer electronics industry through the Simplay HD(TM) Testing Program of Simplay Labs. Simplay Labs, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Silicon Image, is a leading provider of testing technologies, tools and services for high-definition consumer electronics devices such as HDTVs, set- top boxes, audio/video receivers and DVD players, helping manufacturers to achieve compatibility and deliver the highest-quality HDTV experience to consumers. Silicon Image is the leading provider of semiconductor intellectual property solutions for high-definition multimedia and data storage applications. For more information, please visit www.siliconimage.com.
NOTE: Silicon Image and Simplay HD are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Silicon Image, Inc. in the United States and other countries. HDMI(TM) and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing, LLC in the United States and other countries, and are used under license from HDMI Licensing, LLC. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Source: Silicon Image, Inc.
Web site: www.siliconimage.com/
