Xyratex
Encyclopedia
Xyratex is a provider of disk drive manufacturing equipment and data storage subsystems with headquarters of Xyratex International in Havant, United Kingdom and U.S. headquarters in Fremont, CA. Xyratex has two business divisions serving distinct storage markets. They are the Networked Storage Solutions (NSS) Division and the Storage Infrastructure (SI) Division. The Networked Storage Solutions Division designs and develops data storage enclosures, integrated application platforms and clustered file system solution
s for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). The Storage Infrastructure Division designs and develops capital equipment for hard disk drive and component manufacturers.
July 2005: nStor Technologies, Inc.
July 2010: OSC, a developer of recording head slider and head gimbal assembly automation and metrology equipment
July 2010: ClusterStor, a developer of cluster file solution
s based on the Lustre clustered file system
December 2010: MRS, a developer of media burnish, glide and certify products
(SNIA) , SCSI Trade Association
(STA), and Storage Bridge Bay (SBB).
The SI division is a member of the International Disk Drive Equipment and Materials Association and regularly participates in industry events such as the annual DISKCON USA conference and tradeshow. In November 2010, Xyratex was announced as one of the founding members of the Advanced Storage Technology Consortium. This consortium was created to allow collaborative joint research initiatives for companies in the hard drive industry, with the intent to ultimately yield an increased understanding of future technology challenges and potential solution
s.
• Modular Storage Enclosures are modular units that reside behind server, or appliance heads, to provide primary array storage, expansion storage, enable application systems (via Integrated Application Platforms), or scale-up capacity. These units are building blocks that provide a wide range of options, covering capacity, performance, form factor and IOPS.
• Integrated Application Platforms incorporate industry standard server functionality with data storage enclosures. These platforms enable an OEM’s application to be run in the system without the need for an external server. Platforms include either standard Intel motherboard technology or SBB compatible, Intel based embedded server modules.
• Clustered File System Solutions leverage Xyratex's alleged expertise in clustered file systems, integrated application platforms and modular storage enclosure design resulting in an integrated Lustre
storage solution
that is engineered specifically for high performance computing.
The Storage Infrastructure (SI) division designs and manufactures capital equipment for the hard drive industry. This division offers test and process equipment in various portions of the hard disk drive and hard disk drive components manufacturing process.
• Drive Processing Systems are large and fully automated process test systems that complete the final qualification and testing of hard drives. The Optimus product provides solution
s for 2.5” hard drives, while the XCalibre product provides solution
s for 3.5” hard drives.
• Media Write Technologies are complete servo track writers with key subassemblies designed using a modular approach. These products enable media writing and self-servo writing - two significant methods of servo track writing.
• Optical Inspection Technologies are utilized in a line of substrate inspection systems, including the Titan product, which represents a modular design that combines high sensitivity, integrated, defect detection optics with high speed automation.
• Head Automation Technologies are available for HDD recording head slider and head gimbal assembly automation and metrology equipment due to Xyratex acquiring the assets and development teams of Optical Systems Corporation (OSC).
• Automation solution
s are included in all major stages of substrate, media and final HDD processing requirements, including disk handling and tracking, cassette transport with intelligent routing, disk stacking, and process management firmware.
Solution
In chemistry, a solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of only one phase. In such a mixture, a solute is dissolved in another substance, known as a solvent. The solvent does the dissolving.- Types of solutions :...
s for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). The Storage Infrastructure Division designs and develops capital equipment for hard disk drive and component manufacturers.
History
Xyratex began as part of IBM in 1966. They conducted business as a manufacturing and development operation for network and storage systems until December 1994, at which time they separated from IBM in a management buy-out. The company began selling capital test equipment to the HDD industry in 1995 and in 1998 established a second division to sell storage subsystems to OEMs. Key milestones include an IPO in 2004 (NASDAQ: XRTX); developing many industry innovations including the first SBOD (switched bunch of disks) and millionth test slot in 2005 and reaching over a billion dollars in sales in 2008. The company has grown both organically and through acquisition including the following:July 2005: nStor Technologies, Inc.
July 2010: OSC, a developer of recording head slider and head gimbal assembly automation and metrology equipment
July 2010: ClusterStor, a developer of cluster file solution
Solution
In chemistry, a solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of only one phase. In such a mixture, a solute is dissolved in another substance, known as a solvent. The solvent does the dissolving.- Types of solutions :...
s based on the Lustre clustered file system
December 2010: MRS, a developer of media burnish, glide and certify products
Consortiums
The NSS division is an active member of several leading industry associations, including: Storage Networking Industry AssociationStorage Networking Industry Association
An association of producers and consumers of storage networking products, whose goal is to further storage networking technology and applications.The Storage Networking Industry Association, or SNIA, was incorporated in December, 1997, and is a registered 501 non-profit trade association...
(SNIA) , SCSI Trade Association
SCSI Trade Association
The SCSI Trade Association, or SCSITA, is an industry trade group which exists to promote the use of SCSI technology. It was formed in 1996. , sponsor members include HP, Intel, LSI Logic, and Seagate...
(STA), and Storage Bridge Bay (SBB).
The SI division is a member of the International Disk Drive Equipment and Materials Association and regularly participates in industry events such as the annual DISKCON USA conference and tradeshow. In November 2010, Xyratex was announced as one of the founding members of the Advanced Storage Technology Consortium. This consortium was created to allow collaborative joint research initiatives for companies in the hard drive industry, with the intent to ultimately yield an increased understanding of future technology challenges and potential solution
Solution
In chemistry, a solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of only one phase. In such a mixture, a solute is dissolved in another substance, known as a solvent. The solvent does the dissolving.- Types of solutions :...
s.
Products
The Networked Storage Solutions (NSS) division designs and manufactures a range of data storage devices for the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) community.• Modular Storage Enclosures are modular units that reside behind server, or appliance heads, to provide primary array storage, expansion storage, enable application systems (via Integrated Application Platforms), or scale-up capacity. These units are building blocks that provide a wide range of options, covering capacity, performance, form factor and IOPS.
• Integrated Application Platforms incorporate industry standard server functionality with data storage enclosures. These platforms enable an OEM’s application to be run in the system without the need for an external server. Platforms include either standard Intel motherboard technology or SBB compatible, Intel based embedded server modules.
• Clustered File System Solutions leverage Xyratex's alleged expertise in clustered file systems, integrated application platforms and modular storage enclosure design resulting in an integrated Lustre
Lustre (file system)
Lustre is a massively parallel distributed file system, generally used for large scale cluster computing. The name Lustre is a portmanteau word derived from Linux and cluster...
storage solution
Solution
In chemistry, a solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of only one phase. In such a mixture, a solute is dissolved in another substance, known as a solvent. The solvent does the dissolving.- Types of solutions :...
that is engineered specifically for high performance computing.
The Storage Infrastructure (SI) division designs and manufactures capital equipment for the hard drive industry. This division offers test and process equipment in various portions of the hard disk drive and hard disk drive components manufacturing process.
• Drive Processing Systems are large and fully automated process test systems that complete the final qualification and testing of hard drives. The Optimus product provides solution
Solution
In chemistry, a solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of only one phase. In such a mixture, a solute is dissolved in another substance, known as a solvent. The solvent does the dissolving.- Types of solutions :...
s for 2.5” hard drives, while the XCalibre product provides solution
Solution
In chemistry, a solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of only one phase. In such a mixture, a solute is dissolved in another substance, known as a solvent. The solvent does the dissolving.- Types of solutions :...
s for 3.5” hard drives.
• Media Write Technologies are complete servo track writers with key subassemblies designed using a modular approach. These products enable media writing and self-servo writing - two significant methods of servo track writing.
• Optical Inspection Technologies are utilized in a line of substrate inspection systems, including the Titan product, which represents a modular design that combines high sensitivity, integrated, defect detection optics with high speed automation.
• Head Automation Technologies are available for HDD recording head slider and head gimbal assembly automation and metrology equipment due to Xyratex acquiring the assets and development teams of Optical Systems Corporation (OSC).
• Automation solution
Solution
In chemistry, a solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of only one phase. In such a mixture, a solute is dissolved in another substance, known as a solvent. The solvent does the dissolving.- Types of solutions :...
s are included in all major stages of substrate, media and final HDD processing requirements, including disk handling and tracking, cassette transport with intelligent routing, disk stacking, and process management firmware.