National Instruments HDD-8265 RAID Array

Designed to support up to 12 SATA II type hard drives, the HDD-8265 is a RAID Array for PXI streaming systems. This RAID Array can operate with a maximum read/write speed of 750 MB/s. The NI HDD-8265 is a 2U size Chassis that can control the installed hard drives through a 12-port PCI Express (PCIe) RAID controller. The RAID system incorporated in the HDD-8265 consists of a National Instruments NI-8262 deployed in a CompactPCI Express or PXI Express Chassis. The other end of the NI-8262 is connected to the NI HDD-8265.

This RAID Array is designed to utilize the full achievable bandwidth of PXI Express x4 technology. Thus, it can write sequentially at speeds around 700 Mbytes/second. When configured to operate in RAID5 mode, the HDD-8265 can achieve write speeds of around 600 Mbytes/second. This RAID Array capitalizes on PCI Express technology. The PXI extension module or board (NI 8262) is paired with the NI HDD-8265, employing PCI Express drivers. This pairing between the extension module and the RAID Array can control a PCI Express-based RAID Array in an external chassis. 

Since it is transparent to device drivers, the PCI Express driver architecture does not play a role. Only the RAID driver is required for the NI HDD-8265 to function properly. The link between the chassis and the PCI is a dual, simple x4 PCI Express link, capable of transmitting at a rate of 10 Gbps simultaneously in each direction in x4 mode. This card features 2 LEDs to keep the user informed about device health and other statuses.

HDD-8265 Maintenance Status has been announced by National Instruments, but the RAID Array will still be available for purchase and repairs by Apex Waves.