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ARCO Computer Products, Inc. today introduces
the AC-Mirror, an IDE adapter designed to provide hardware disk mirroring for all
operating systems. This cost effective adapter will bring RAID 1 fault tolerance
to every desktop by overcoming the existing hurdles of mirroring cards, overkill
and over price.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The DupliDisk-Bay Mount is not a primary disk
controller but uses the computer's existing IDE controller and Arco's unique patented
intermediate controller technology to provide disk fault tolerance and continuous
hard disk backup. The DupliDisk uses no jumper settings and requires no drivers,
so installation is a relatively simple and uncomplicated procedure. ARCO's ACP software
utility eliminates the need for time-consuming disk preparation using FDISK,
FORMAT or other commands. The DupliDisk connects via standard IDE cable to either
the IDE controller built into most motherboards today or to an add-in IDE adapter
installed on the system. Disk drives are connected via primary and mirror connectors
on the DupliDisk. The DupliDisk operates transparently. Although all data sent from
the PC
to the primary drive is automatically saved to both primary and mirror drives, the
system (and end user) sees only the primary drive.
ALL OPERATING SYSTEMS WELCOME
The DupliDisk-Bay Mount is a hardware-based dual-channel
controller. It requires no TSRs or operating-system-dependent device drivers so
it is not saddled with the conflicts and performance degradation historically associated
with these types of software drivers. Nor is
it limited to use with only certain operating systems. Because compatibility with
the DupliDisk is established at the original IDE connection, it is essentially operating-system
independent. It can be installed in systems running Windows 95, Windows NT, Windows
3.x,
OS/2, DOS, Unix, Linux and NetWare as well as others..
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
The AC-Mirror is a standard ISA IDE disk adapter
and supports up to two pairs of IDE drives. The AC-Mirror adapter sets up to show
a standard drive but, in the background, it is actually writing duplicate information
to the mirror drive(s). As the AC-Mirror is hardware based, no software drivers
are necessary. This reduces the memory overhead and potential conflict that can
occur when drivers from multiple vendors are installed.
Hardware implementation insures compatibility
for virtually any operating system including DOS, Windows, Windows for Workgroups,
NetWare, OS/2 and most UNIX systems. The performance is approximately 30% faster
than software based mirroring. Tests run under Novell 3.11 show a 32% performance
gain when using the AC-Mirror vs. software mirroring as tested at the ARCO
labs.
ARCO
provides a simple installation program allowing users to select the primary and
mirror drive, select a single drive from which all reads are performed or switch
the drive being read from at intervals ranging from 0 to 15,000.
DISASTER AND RECOVERY
An alarm resides on the adapter to notify users
should a drive be compromised by a failure or a bad or improperly attached cable.
A boot time message will appear until the drive is replaced and/or re-mirrored.
The easy to use ARCO ACP software which ships with the AC-Mirror allows
for re-mirroring data at the touch of a button.
IDE HANDLES HIGH PRICE AND
STANDARD CAPACITY
RAID 1 mirroring has been available through
software methods for many years. Users have had years of education as to why data
should be protected, some the hard way through disk crashes. Until now, this technique
has been implemented typically in high end or server environments via the SCSI interface.
SCSI drives historically have been larger and more expensive than IDE drives and
the price of SCSI equipment has kept RAID out of reach for many users.
The AC-Mirror is a hardware based IDE adapter
and RAID 1 controller with a retail price of $195. High-capacity IDE disk drives
can typically be found for under $250. "At this price point, even single user
systems and small businesses will be able to afford a RAID 1 disk mirroring system,"
states Mike Hertz, US Sales Manager for ARCO. "
IS IT A BACKUP?
The AC-Mirror protects users from data loss
due to disk drive failures. This is critical to small office and home office companies
which may run an entire business from a single personal computer. Many times, these
companies are too busy running day-to-day operations to consistently implement an
effective backup strategy. Yet, even small businesses can be severely impacted by
a disk crash calamity.
While the AC-Mirror performs real time backup,
ARCO has not positioned the AC-Mirror as a replacement for backup storage. For users
who neglect to back up consistently or who need to be on-line continuously, the
AC-Mirror offers an deal data protection solution. ARCO maintains that users should
implement an effective backup strategy and supplement it with the AC-Mirror for
a complete and simple data protection plan.
CORPORATE INFORMATION
ARCO Computer Products, Inc. is a manufacturer
of high performance IDE, EIDE and ATAPI adapters for the PCI, Micro Channel and
ISA bus architectures.ARCO develops and manufactures high performance IDE, E-IDE
and ATAPI adapters. In addition to the DupliDisk-Bay Mount, ARCO offers both ISA
and PCI versions of the DupliDisk. A No*Slot model of the DupliDisk, designed for
special OEM and integrator needs, is also available. The AC-Mirror (which combines
both a RAID 1 and IDE controller) is designed for users who do not have on-board
IDE.