Virtual RAID Adapter (VRA) technology is a unique and new class of pure, host-based software RAID that combines key advantages of pure software RAID with many of the key advantages of hardware RAID adapters. VRA technology offers enterprise-class data protection services and a single RAID driver, RAID management and BIOS for multiple controller types, and allows volume server OEMs or ODMs to offer built-in, high-end RAID functionality without the expense of a dedicated RAID-on-chip acceleration device.

Lower Costs and Simplicity with Host-Based RAID for Internal Storage

AssuredVRA, as a Virtual RAID Adapter, is a powerful way of building RAID-protected arrays out of internal server storage and server-attached external JBODs. RAID protects against hardware or system malfunction and prevents the loss of valuable customer data. Equally important, lower storage costs can be achieved by implementing a VRA-based RAID solution for internal storage. Hardware RAID card costs can be eliminated along with their associated power and cooling costs; support and management costs can be reduced through the deployment of a common RAID stack across multiple core logic and SAS IOC chip sets and motherboards.

Advanced Features

With today’s multi-core processors, AssuredVRA now runs with little load on the system and achieves comparable and in some cases superior read/write performance compared to hardware RAID cards. Moreover, AssuredVRA has many innovative features usually found in more expensive solutions including controller spanning, SAS expansion, simple mirrored volume copy using RAID 1n and 10n, on-line capacity expansion (OCE), and on-line RAID migration (ORM).

Universal Management

AssuredVRA runs on the latest chipsets from industry leaders AMD and Intel, as well as SATA/SAS controllers from Broadcom and Marvell. This enables system builders and OEMs to offer a broad range of architectures and platforms to their customers, while only having to support AssuredVRA. Similarly, customers using the supported motherboards can now combine all of those ports, eliminating the need for external HBAs. One RAID management utility is all that’s required to manage all disk controllers in the server.

Software RAID Benefits:

• Hardware RAID Adapter replacement
• Pure host software RAID implementation with features targeted at the hardware RAID adapter level
• Elimination of cost, heat and power from a typical server system
• Ability to scale to significantly lower cost point
• Universal RAID = freedom of choice
• Single driver/RAID management/BIOS for multiple controller types and manufacturers
• High performance RAID stack
• Up to 2-3x faster on RAID 5 writes than hardware RAID – near RAID 0 write performance

AssuredVRA™ software for server-based RAID is available to OEMs who wish to integrate verstile software RAID into their branded offerings. For specific support of major chip brands contact our sales teams or refer to the associated datasheets.

Contact dhrequest@dothill.com to contact our OEM sales team.

AssuredVRA™ software is available to OEM who wish to rebrand and promote storage server-based RAID solutions. The software licensing framework for AssuredVRA enables aftermarket up-sells. Email dhrequest@dothill.com to contact our OEM sales team.

For interoperability questions and downloads, visit the Customer Resource Center.

• Datasheet ( 106KB)
• FAQ ( 76KB)
• Beyond Software RAID White Paper ( 139KB)