Performance
DakotaStor-WP is built on a state-of-the-art server-class single or dual processor Intel® Xeon Series 5500 platform, featuring Intel Turbo Boost, Hyper-Threading, and QuickPath technologies for top performance in bandwidth intensive applications. A powerful SAS/SATA Hardware RAID controller with 512 MB of cache provides enterprise-level storage features and performance. DakotaStor-WP features up to four Gigabit Ethernet NICs with Intel I/O Acceleration Technology, which use features of Microsoft’s Scalable Networking Pack to move data more efficiently through the processors for fast, reliable networking. Running a storage-optimized version of Windows Server 2008, DakotaStor-WP is 15-20% faster than a general purpose Windows 2008 Server in file serving.

Reliability and Data Availability
DakotaStor-WP is integrated with best-of-breed components and is based on Windows Server 2008, a robust operating system that provides high reliability and security. Support for multiple RAID levels protects your data against disk failure while advanced RAID and hardware redundancy features provide for high data availability. RAID level 6 improves fault tolerance by implementing two parity drives, ensuring data availability in the unlikely event that two drives fail simultaneously or a drive fails during a rebuild. Windows Storage Server 2008 is a dedicated file and print server and has all functionality unrelated to file serving removed, increasing reliability and lowering CPU overhead. The Distributed File System (DFS) feature provides simplified, fault-tolerant access to files and WAN-friendly replication.

Multi-Protocol NAS Connectivity
Because DakotaStor-WP is powered by Windows Server 2008, it is designed to exist in heterogeneous network environments and transfer data using industry standard file sharing protocols over industry standard network protocols. Therefore, clients can share storage resources, regardless of their operating environment. Cross platform NAS connectivity provides common storage resources and increased user productivity. iSCSI targets are accessible from clients running standard iSCSI software initiators and HBAs.

iSCSI Software Target
Microsoft iSCSI Software Target enables you to implement an iSCSI SAN with storage provisioning and management capabilities. Managed via the Integrated Management Console, administrator’s can create and manage iSCSI targets and iSCSI virtual disks, as well as schedule, export, and locally mount snapshots for use in backup and recovery operations. Wizards are provided to facilitate these features.

Virtual Disk Storage
Disks created using iSCSI Software Target are iSCSI virtual disks, which are files in the virtual hard disk (VHD) format. These virtual disks offer flexible and effective storage. They are dynamically extendable to provide extra capacity on demand, enable efficient storage utilization, and minimize the downtime required to create and install new disks.

Hardware Providers
To support advanced management of iSCSI virtual disks and snapshots, you can install the Virtual Disk Service (VDS) and Virtual Shadow Copy Service (VSS) hardware providers, provided with system.

Security
The Microsoft iSCSI Software Target supports security protocols and configuration such as iSNS integration, IPv6, IPsec, and CHAP authentication.

Snapshots
To facilitate backup and recovery operations, you can schedule and create snapshots of iSCSI virtual disks. Snapshots can be scheduled to be created automatically without stopping programs and can be mounted locally or exported to facilitate backup and recovery operations.

Replication
Microsoft’s iSCSI target LUNs are file-based virtual disks and are open files, therefore cannot be replicated using DFS Replication. The Double-Take replication option is required to replicate iSCSI LUNs. Double-Take's data replication technology combines continuous real-time backup and automatic failover capabilities for disaster recovery, high availability, and centralized backup. Double-Take can also be used as the replication engine for DakotaStor-WP NAS shares for single-pane replication management. For more information on Double-Take visit http://www.doubletake.com/english/products/double-take-windows/Pages/default.aspx

Security
DakotaStor-WP features the tight enterprise-level security of Windows Server 2008 Full Active Directory support enables DakotaStor-WP to integrate seamlessly into a Windows enterprise network. Other authentication features include NT Domain Authentication (PDC) and Unix Network Information Services (NIS). DakotaStor-WP also integrates completely into Distributed File System (DFS) environments. The Microsoft iSCSI Software Target supports security protocols and configuration such as iSNS integration, IPv6, IPsec, and CHAP authentication.

Manageability
The Windows Storage Server 2008 MMC-based management console enables administrators to perform the majority of storage management tasks from a central location. The Unified Share and Storage Management snap-in provides wizard-based provisioning of volumes, shared folders, and iSCSI targets, as well as the ability to configure quotas, file screening, Single Instance Storage, and indexing. DakotaStor-WP can be managed remotely via a web browser from Windows and non-Windows clients. A keyboard, mouse, and monitor (or KVM) is supported for local management. The “Out-of-Box Experience” incorporates a single configuration utility that starts automatically at logon, guiding administrators through the initial setup. And for common configuration tasks, administrators will have access to all the appropriate tools through the "Initial Configuration Tasks" interface.
An embedded Intelligent Management (IPMI 2.0) module with dedicated network port monitors onboard instrumentation such as temperature sensors, power status, voltages and fan speed, and provides remote power control capabilities to reboot and/or reset the appliance. It also includes remote access to the BIOS configuration and operating system console information via SOL (Serial over LAN) or embedded KVM over LAN capabilities. Because the IPMI controller is a separate processor, the monitoring and control functions work regardless of CPU operation or system power-on status.

Configuration and Scalability
DakotaStor-WP features high performance SATA or SAS disk drives in multiple RAID configurations, providing the flexibility you need to fit your price, performance and data protection requirements. External SAS RAID ports provide scalability up to 104 SAS or SATA drives via JBOD expansion modules. The JBOD expansion modules connect directly to the RAID controller external SAS ports for increased reliability and performance. A flexible design with multiple PCI expansion slots enables you add Fibre Channel, SAS, SCSI, and iSCSI HBAs for direct attached storage and SAN connectivity.

Intelligent Power Management
Adaptec Intelligent Power Management (IPM) reduces power and cooling costs by up to 70% using intelligent I/O caching combined with disk drive power savings modes. The three levels of disk drive power modes are: 1) Normal operation - full power, full RPM, 2) Standby - low-power mode spins disks at lower RPM, and 3) Power-off – disks not spinning.

Zero-Maintenance Cache Protection
Adaptec’s Zero-Maintenance Cache Protection, available on most models, is a revolutionary advancement that solves battery deficiencies by providing full cache protection with no installation, monitoring, maintenance, or replacement costs. Featuring 4 GB of NAND flash memory paired with super capacitor technology, DakotaStor-WP RAID controllers with Zero-Maintenance Cache Protection instantly save cache contents in the event of system power loss. The super capacitor charges instantly while the system is booting, cache protection is available within minutes of installation, and stored data is preserved for up to 10 years. And, since it is flash-based, systems don’t need to be shut down for battery replacement. See model chart for availability.

Distributed File System (DFS)
The Distributed File System (DFS) solution in Windows Storage Server 2008 provides simplified, fault-tolerant access to files and WAN-friendly replication. Distributed File System consists of two technologies:

• DFS Namespaces. Formerly known as Distributed File System, DFS Namespaces allows administrators to group shared folders located on different servers and present them to users as a virtual tree of folders known as a namespace. A namespace provides numerous benefits, including increased availability of data, load sharing, and simplified data migration.
• DFS Replication. The successor to File Replication service (FRS), DFS Replication is a new state-based, multimaster replication engine that supports scheduling and bandwidth throttling. DFS Replication uses a new compression algorithm known as Remote Differential Compression (RDC). RDC is a protocol that can be used to efficiently update files over a limited-bandwidth network. RDC detects insertions, removals, re-arrangements of data in files, enabling DFS Replication to replicate only the deltas (changes) when files are updated.

Unified Share and Storage Management
With the Share and Storage Management snap-in, you can easily set up and manage shared folders and storage. Share and Storage Management provides the following:

• MMC-based management of shared folders, storage, and iSCSI targets.
• Provision Storage Wizard for creating and configuring storage, including creating a LUN and formatting a volume.
• Provision a Shared Folder Wizard for creating and configuring shared folders that can be accessed using either the SMB or NFS protocol.

This makes it possible to complete most of the administrative tasks required to create and manage shared folders, volumes, and iSCSI targets, configure Single Instance Storage (SIS), configure quotas, configure file screening, and enable indexing from a single management point.

File Server Resource Manager
File Server Resource Manager provides a suite of tools for administrators to understand, control, and manage the quantity and type of data stored on their servers. File Server Resource Manager enables you to place quotas on folders and volumes, actively screen files, and generate comprehensive storage reports.

Storage Management for SANs
Storage Manager for SANs helps you create and manage logical unit numbers (LUNs) on Fibre Channel and iSCSI disk drive subsystems in your storage area network (SAN). Storage Manager for SANs can be used on storage subsystems that support Virtual Disk Service (VDS). Use Storage Manager for SANs to create and assign LUNs, manage connections between LUNs and the servers in your SAN, and set the security properties for iSCSI storage subsystems. Available in Standard and Enterprise editions.

Indexing Service
Indexing Service extracts the information from a set of documents and organizes it in a way that makes it quick and easy to access that information through the Search function for computers running Microsoft Windows 2000, XP, or Vista. This information can include text from within a document (its contents), and the characteristics and parameters of the document (its properties), such as the author's name. Once the index is created you can query the index for documents that contain key words, phrases, or properties.

Single Instance Storage
Single Instance Storage (SIS) is a data de-duplication technology that recovers disk space by reducing the amount of redundant data stored on a volume by identifying identical files, storing only a single copy of the file in the SIS common store and replacing the files with pointers to the file in the SIS common store. Available in Standard and Enterprise editions.

Print Management
Print Management enables you to view and manage printers and print servers in your organization. You can use Print Management to manage all network printers on print servers running Windows 2000/2003/2008 Server.

Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS)
System administrators can use point-in-time shadow copy technologies to make up to 512 snapshots per volume (of which 64 are reserved for Shadow Copies for Shared Folders) using applications that have a VSS requestor. These shadow copy backups are available for rapid restores should the need arise. Unlike tape backups which can take hours to restore, these shadow copy backups can be restored in minutes. The end user can also benefit from point in time imaging technologies, using the Shadow Copies for Shared Folders (SCSF) feature. SCSF enables users to restore accidentally deleted or overwritten files or entire folders without the need for IT intervention. A maximum of 64 SCSF per volume can be created.

Windows SharePoint® Services
Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services is a powerful Web-based team collaboration environment that is included in Windows Storage Server 2008. Windows SharePoint Services provides an integrated portfolio of collaboration and communication services designed to connect people, information, processes, and system both within and beyond the organizational firewalls.

Antivirus Support
Windows Storage Server 2008 s built upon the Windows Server family of operating systems, therefore you can benefit from the increased security provided by existing antivirus software from a variety of supported Microsoft partners.

System Recovery
DakotaStor-WP features an on-disk operating system recovery image for simple recovery to factory default settings. A system recovery DVD or USB stick is also included for bare-metal operating system recovery.

Total Cost of Ownership
DakotaStor-WP enables you to reduce your total cost of ownership by ensuring fast deployment, seamless network interoperability, high uptime, low administration and no client license costs. By combining multiple storage technologies into one hardware platform and one management interface, DakotaStor-WP appliances reduce the cost of hardware, management, training, power, rack space, and support.

For more information about Windows Storage Server 2008, visit http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/WSS08.aspx