This server supports the internal migration of MSS data in the storage hierarchy and the oozing of existing archive data to new storage technologies. A Silicon Graphics Cray Origin2000 four-processor system was purchased to support the new server code and will be deployed for production in early FY1999. The data fabric provides data paths directly between the MSS storage devices and the client compute servers. Serial HiPPI has many advantages over parallel copper HiPPI implementations, including smaller deployment cost and smaller, more reliable connectors and cables. Older parallel copper HiPPI interfaces will be phased out as the host machines supporting those interfaces are replaced or retired.
HiPPI technology continues to be deployed only in a niche market.
It has not shown signs of spreading into the commodity marketplace, and as a result the cost of HiPPI technology has remained high and the number of HiPPI vendors is dwindling. Promising replacement technologies are Fibre Channel and Network Attached Storage Devices. During FY1998 Fibre Channel RAID technology was evaluated by the MSS Group and will be deployed in FY1999 to supplement the disk capacity of the DataPark . Once tape devices can be Fibre Channel attached, SCD intends to evaluate the replacement of our HiPPI fabric with Fibre Channel. SCD's current strategy is to deploy a Fibre Channel infrastructure and add NASD to it at a later time.