DakotaRAID-LP is a Linux powered Network Attached Storage Appliance designed for performance, reliability, capacity, scalability, and low total cost of ownership. Just attach it to your existing network and within minutes your Windows, UNIX, Linux and Macintosh clients can share up to 2.4 TB of RAID protected storage. Utilizing advanced ATA disk technology, DakotaRAID-LP delivers enterprise-class features at entry-level prices for applications such as file serving, disk-to-disk backup, online archiving, data collection, disaster recovery and email retention.

Performance
DakotaRAID-LP is powered by a streamlined Linux-based NAS operating system embedded in flash ROM. Equipped with dual Gigabit Ethernet NICs, DakotaRAID-LP 8420 can achieve transfer rates of up to 44 MB/s.

Reliability and Data Availability
DakotaRAID-LP's low overhead operating system is designed to perform one function - data delivery. This specialization provides for maximum operation efficiency and high reliability. RAID level 1 and 5 support protects your data from disk failure, while features such as hot swappable drives, global hot spares, hot expansion, automatic drive failure detection, automatic data rebuild, bad sector remapping, UPS support, and redundant hot swappable power supplies provide for high data availability. A journaling file system ensures data and file system integrity and enables DakotaRAID-LP to quickly recover in the event of a system failure. The dual Gigabit Ethernet ports can be configured in failover mode for additional redundancy.

Management and Security
Web browser-based management tools embedded in firmware simplify configuration and enable administrators to manage multiple units from one location. Active Directory support enables integration into Windows Domains and permissions can be managed with native Windows management tools. Just right click on the file/folder to set permissions. Other authentication features include NT Domain Authentication (PDC) and Unix Network Information Services (NIS). Operating system upgrades can be downloaded from our support center and flashed to DakotaRAID-LP via the web interface.

Multi-Protocol Connectivity
DakotaRAID attaches directly to your existing network and transfers data over industry standard network access protocols (TCP/IP or AppleTalk) using standard file sharing protocols (SMB/CIFS, NFS, AFP, FTP or HTTP). A journaling file system is located and managed onboard, therefore, data can be shared simultaneously by clients regardless of which server or operating system is being used. Cross-platform connectivity provides a common storage resource and increased user productivity.

Configuration and Scalability
DakotaRAID-LP can be configured with up to 8 hot swappable Ultra ATA drives for up to   3.2 TB of raw storage. Scalability features such as multiple RAID set capability and Hot RAID Expansion enable you to grow your storage capacity as needed. Dual 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports can be configured for performance, redundancy, load balancing, or separate LANs.

Data Backup
DakotaRAID-LP is equipped with embedded tape backup tools featuring multiple backup options including full/incremental backups and scheduling. Local backup devices include SCSI AIT, DLT, Super DLT, & LTO. DakotaRAID-LP built-in tape backup software conforms to open standards by adopting UNIX-tar format. The backup tapes can be restored by any backup software which supports UNIX-tar format, so you need not worry about proprietary formats. Tape autoloaders are supported as an option.

For Network-based backup, DakotaRAID-LP is compatible with Veritas Backup Exec, CA BrightStor ARCserve, and all other major backup software applications.

Smart-Sync Disaster Recovery
SmartSync is an embedded data synchronization tool that allows two or more DakotaRAID-LP units to mirror each other over a LAN or WAN automatically and efficiently. Advanced features and configuration settings reduce demand for network bandwidth. For instance, when updating files, SmartSync only transfers differential blocks within files, thus largely reducing unnecessary network traffic. SmartSync can also optionally compress the data stream during synchronization. To allocate network resources, administrators can assign different bandwidth limits for different SmartSync tasks, depending on applications and priority. To further assist in resource management, the SmartSync software displays all running and idle tasks and their progress, so administrators can watch task progress and abort one task to allow others to run faster. SmartSync runs over SSL, which provides secure connections.

SmartExtend

SmartExtend option enables you to manage storage resource for multiple DakotaRAID-LP units on the network as a single IP Storage network. That's mean better resource utilization, ease of storage management and simpler expansion of storage infrastructure.

Snapshots

DakotaRAID-LP features a snapshot function, which creates a read-only copy of the contents of the NAS Appliance at a particular point in time.   Users can access the snapshots and easily restore previous versions of files or folders without having to contact a system administrator.   Up to 256 snapshots are supported with version control.   Standard on 4420/8420 models and optional on others.

CD/DVD Sharing & Recording

The DakotaRAID-LP Server Module enables you to create and manage up to 4,000 RAID protected CD/DVD images for fast and easy CD/DVD sharing.  Features include volume sets, remote imaging, local CD/DVD emulation & title management software.   The Unique CD/DVD burning feature enables you to archive data to CD or DVD-R via the web browser management interface.   Standard on 420/4200/8200 models and optional on all others.

Virus Protection
Select DakotaRAID-LP models feature embedded antivirus software providing trustworthy and instant virus protection. Real-time, scheduled or manual virus scanning options protect your data from virus attacks around the clock. Automatic virus pattern updates from Trend Micro keeps virus protection up to date. Optional on other models.

UPS Integration
DakotaRAID-LP seamlessly integrates with smart-signaling UPS systems and administrators can monitor and configure the UPS condition from the administration web page. In the event of an extended power outage, DakotaRAID-LP will be shutdown safely, preventing potential data corruption and email an administrator of the related event.

Total Cost of Ownership
DakotaRAID-LP ensures a low total cost of ownership by eliminating the unnecessary hardware, operating system license and administrative costs of a general-purpose server. Easy-to-replace hot swappable components simplify maintenance and service.