LSI Launches CacheVault Flash Cache Protection for MegaRAID 6Gb/s SATA+SAS Controllers

MILPITAS, Calif., July 19, 2011 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- LSI Corporation (NYSE: LSI) today announced MegaRAID® CacheVault™ technology, providing flash-based cache protection for LSI® MegaRAID 6Gb/s SATA+SAS RAID controller cards. MegaRAID CacheVault uses solid-state NAND flash memory to protect data stored in RAID controller cache by automatically transferring cached data to flash when a power failure occurs. CacheVault technology eliminates the need for Lithium-ion batteries, and their associated hardware maintenance costs, resulting in a greener, lower total cost cache protection solution.

"Traditionally, data in write cache has been protected from power and server failures using Lithium-ion battery backup units which require costly and time consuming hazardous shipping and disposal," said Brent Blanchard, director of worldwide channel sales and marketing, LSI. "CacheVault technology provides customers running small data centers or remote servers -- where support staff may not be immediately available -- with persistent, non-volatile cache protection that is more environmentally friendly and offers a lower total cost of ownership over the life of the MegaRAID controller."

CacheVault technology is powered by a super capacitor that keeps the electrical current running while DRAM cache memory is written to NAND flash memory during a power or server failure. When power is restored, the DRAM is recovered from flash and the workflow resumes without loss of data.

"Our customers look to us to protect their rapidly expanding volumes of data, meet the performance requirements of their applications and satisfy their evolving green initiatives," said Gautam Shah, CEO, Colfax International. "The addition of MegaRAID CacheVault technology to LSI's high-performance RAID controllers will provide customers with maximum protection for cached data while eliminating the significant maintenance costs and environmental impact of traditional Lithium-ion batteries. CacheVault technology stores protected data for years with minimal monitoring, maintenance or disposal costs, or the need for emergency action to restore power to a server before the battery runs out."

Built on industry-leading LSI MegaRAID 6Gb/s SATA+SAS controller cards, the MegaRAID CacheVault (CV) series includes the MegaRAID SAS 9260CV-4i controller, with four internal ports, and the MegaRAID SAS 9260CV-8i, with eight internal ports. The low-profile MD2 form factor controllers feature the 800MHz LSISAS2108 RAID-on-Chip IC, 512MB DDRII cache memory and x8 PCI Express 2.0 host interface.

Pricing(1) and Availability

• MegaRAID SAS 9260CV-4i:   $640
• MegaRAID SAS 9260CV-8i:   $850

LSI MegaRAID CV series controllers extend the industry's most complete portfolio of 6Gb/s SAS and SATA storage solutions available in the channel, including MegaRAID and 3ware® RAID controllers, host bus adapters (HBAs), 6Gb/s SAS switch, advanced software options and the WarpDrive™ SLP-300 acceleration card.

The products are available through the LSI worldwide network of distributors, system integrators and VARs. Additional information is available at www.lsi.com/channel.

About LSI

LSI Corporation (NYSE: LSI) is a leading provider of innovative silicon and software technologies that enable products which seamlessly bring people, information and digital content together. The company offers a broad portfolio of capabilities and services including custom and standard product ICs, adapters and software that are trusted by the world's best known brands to power leading solutions in the Storage and Networking markets. More information is available at www.lsi.com.

(1)  Reflects MSRP. Actual prices may vary.

Editor's Notes:

1. All LSI news releases (financial, acquisitions, manufacturing, products, technology, etc.) are issued exclusively by PR Newswire and are immediately thereafter posted on the company's external web site, http://www.lsi.com.
2. LSI, the LSI & Design logo, 3ware, CacheVault, MegaRAID and WarpDrive are trademarks or registered trademarks of LSI Corporation.
3. All other brand or product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

SOURCE LSI Corporation