Targeting the ongoing growth of data and need for availability and protection of storage, Intel Corporation today announced a new storage server hardware platform that can be customized for small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). System builders and integrators can couple the Intel® Storage System SSR212CC with various software solutions to create a network attached storage (NAS) or storage area network (SAN) appliance. “Working with key ecosystem members to develop the Intel SSR212CC Storage System, Intel now provides a standards-based hardware platform for system integrators and resellers,” said Mike Wall, general manager, Intel Storage Group Marketing. “With Intel’s extensive network of channel partners who sell to SMBs, the new Intel storage system enables them to provide customizable solutions to meet ever-increasing customer demands for data availability and protection.” The Intel Storage System SSR212CC is based on the Low Voltage Intel® Xeon® processor and supports up to 6 terabytes of data distributed across 12 Serial ATA (SATA) hard drives, allowing extra headroom for growth. This storage system also supports hardware-based RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 10 and 50, making data more reliable and faster to access. Operating system support for the Intel Storage System SSR212CC includes Microsoft Windows Storage Server 2003* and Windows Storage Server 2003 R2*, as well as Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.0*. “We share Intel’s commitment to reduce data management complexity and overall storage costs,” said Zane Adam, director of product marketing for Windows Server at Microsoft. “The Intel Storage System SSR212CC running on the Windows Server platform delivers a secure, reliable and cost-effective solution to handle critical, high-volume applications, such as e-mail and databases.” The Intel Storage System SSR212CC uses Xyratex’s 2U chassis enclosure with integrated management that enhances field serviceability and ensures the expansion capacities necessary for future data requirements. “Our affordable and flexible enclosure, coupled with Intel’s best-in-class storage building blocks can be used to integrate powerful storage application software to create a highly differentiated appliance,” said Todd Gresham, executive vice president of storage and network systems at Xyratex. “Small- and medium-sized businesses benefit from this technology combination by meeting their standards-based long-term storage requirements while consistently hitting cost and performance targets.” The Intel Storage System SSR212CC is available today from participating Intel Channel members at a price below $3,000. Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live.