Finding it difficult to keep up with the growth in unstructured data? Looking for a cost-effective high capacity storage option? With the HP 600 Modular Disk System, HP extends and redefines direct-attached storage for BladeSystem servers, combining the simplicity and cost effectiveness of direct-attached storage without sacrificing flexibility or performance. Use the MDS600 as part of a straight-forward in-rack 6 Gb/s SAS implementation that delivers high-density, low-cost external zoned direct attach storage for HP BladeSystem servers. Easily configure storage on the fly with easy to use management software. The MDS600 can also be directly connected to ProLiant DL and ML servers using the Smart Array P212, P411, and P812 Controller using a standard 2M SAS cable for Single Domain only.

High-density, Low-cost External SAS Storage for BladeSystem Servers.
The MDS600 is designed with two pull-out disk drawers to support hot plug large form factor SAS or SATA drives in just 5U of rack space. The simplicity of an in-rack storage solution eliminates expense and complexity from the storage architecture; just a Smart Array P711m Controller in the blade server, 6Gb SAS BL switches in the blade enclosure connected to up to six MDS600. Supports up to six MDS600 from a single BladeSystem enclosure. Directly connect the Smart Array P212, P411, or P812 Controller to SAS Connector 1 on the MDS600 Primary IO module(s) using a 2m SAS cables (8x wide SAS is not supported). Connect one or two ProLiant servers to the MDS600 drawers using one or two Smart Array P212, P411, and/or P812 controllers. Note: Maximum configuration with the P812 and MDS600 is 2 Drawers and 70 drives. Dual domain not supported.

Build Local Storage on the fly for BladeSystem Servers.
Use the management software of the 6Gb SAS BL switch to group MDS600 drives and assign them to individual blade servers. These drives now appear as local storage to that server. With MDS600 zoned direct attach capabilities server administrators can build local storage on the fly according to their configuration requirements. Just add additional drives to the MDS600 and zone to a newly deployed blade server, or add capacity to the zone of an existing blade server configuration. No need for complex configuration or re-wiring. Protect your direct connect SAS storage solution by including a robust data protection solution such as HP 1/8 G2 SAS Tape Autoloader or HP MSL SAS Tape Library.

High Performance 3 Gb/s SAS Connectivity to External Storage.
6 Gb/s host connectivity enables higher performance, eases configuration/deployment and broadens supported features of an MDS600 using HP Smart Array P711m controller and 6Gb SAS BL switches. With the MDS600, applications and storage are installed in the same rack. Latency is reduced as data does not travel over large distances. A Smart Array P700m Controller installed in the blade server provides 512 MB battery-backed write cache (BBWC). High Performance Smart Array P212 256 MB BBW, P411 256 MB\512 MB BBWC, and P812 1GB BBWC available for ProLiant DL, ML, and SL servers.