In the realm of enterprise storage solutions, few products have made as significant an impact as the Apple Xserve RAID SFP Early 2004 (2nd Generation). Launched in 2004 as part of the Macintosh Xserve series, this revolutionary mass-storage device redefined the landscape with its promise of high performance, reliability, and affordability.
On January 6, 2004, Apple introduced the world to the Xserve RAID SFP, a 3U high-availability rack storage system that boasted an impressive 3.5 terabytes (TB) of storage capacity and blazing performance of up to 210 MBps throughput. Priced at just over $3 per gigabyte, it quickly garnered attention for its industry-leading capabilities and aggressive pricing strategy.
One of the most groundbreaking aspects of the Xserve RAID SFP Early 2004 was its compatibility with Windows and Linux-based computing environments. This marked a significant departure from Apple’s traditional ecosystem, opening doors for a wider range of users to experience its unparalleled performance and technology.
Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, expressed the significance of this move, stating, “For the first time, customers running Windows and Linux can take advantage of Xserve RAID’s incredible price performance and breakthrough technology.”
At the heart of the Xserve RAID SFP’s success was its unique architecture, designed to deliver massive storage density and unmatched performance. With 14 independent ATA/100 drive channels and dual independent RAID controllers, it offered up to 3.5 TB of storage capacity and sustained throughput of over 200 MBps.
This level of performance made it ideal for demanding tasks such as uncompressed 10-bit HD video editing using protected RAID level 5, setting a new standard for storage solutions in the industry.
The Xserve RAID SFP’s capabilities didn’t go unnoticed by industry leaders. It received certifications and endorsements from prominent names like Microsoft, Red Hat, Brocade, and QLogic, further solidifying its position as a top-tier storage solution.
Mike Evans, vice president of Channel Sales and Development at Red Hat, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, “This is the first time we are certifying an Apple product on our Red Hat Enterprise Linux platform.”
Apple didn’t just stop at delivering exceptional performance; they also prioritized ease of use and administration. The RAID Admin, a powerful Java-based management and monitoring utility, offered breakthrough features such as RAID Set Slicing and RAID Set Expansion, making administration tasks simpler and more intuitive.
The Xserve RAID SFP 2nd Gen is seamlessly integrated with any Xserve or Power Mac using the dual-channel 2 GB Apple Fibre Channel PCI Card. This high-speed, industry-standard storage interface provided dedicated bandwidth with a throughput of up to 210 MBps, ensuring smooth data transfer and accessibility.
Moreover, Apple collaborated with leading storage network vendors to certify Xserve RAID compatibility with popular hardware and software, making it an ideal choice for heterogeneous storage networks.
As technology continued to evolve, the demand for more advanced storage solutions grew. In 2008, after four years on the market, Apple discontinued the Xserve RAID SFP Early 2004, marking the end of an era. However today, 20 years later its legacy lives on as a milestone in the history of Apple’s storage solutions, showcasing the company’s commitment to innovation and excellence.
The Apple Xserve RAID SFP 2nd Generation revolutionized the landscape of enterprise storage solutions with its unparalleled performance, reliability, and affordability. It broke barriers by offering compatibility with Windows and Linux-based environments, garnered industry recognition and support, and provided enhanced management and monitoring capabilities.
While it may no longer be in production, the Xserve RAID SFP remains a testament to Apple’s legacy of innovation and serves as a reminder of the company’s dedication to delivering cutting-edge products that push boundaries and redefine standards.
Xserve RAID SFP Details
| Introduced | January 6, 2004 |
| Discontinued | February 19, 2008 |
| Model Identifier | Unknown |
| Model Number | A1009 |
| EMC | Unknown |
| Order Number | M9271LL/A (1 TB storage) M9272LL/A (1.75 TB storage) M9293LL/A (3.5 TB storage) |
| Original Price | $5,999 $7,499 $10,999 |
| Colors | Aluminum |
| Weight | 60 – 100 Ibs. 27.215 – 45.359 KG |
| Dimensions | 5.25” H x 17” W x 18.4” D 13.33 cm H x 43.18 cm W x 46.73 cm D |
Rack Support
- Fits EIA-310-D-compliant, industry-standard 19-inch-wide racks, including four-post racks 24-inches, 26-inches, and from 29 to 36-inches deep; deeper racks require a third-party extender
System Requirements
- Xserve, Xserve G5, Power Mac G4 (800 MHz or faster), or Power Mac G5
- Mac OS X 10.2.4 or later
- Mac OS X Server 10.2.4 or later
Storage Specs
| Type | Mass storage system |
| Capacity | Up to 3.5 TB total capacity in RAID 0 |
| Hard Drive Interface | 14 – Ultra ATA/100 (ATA-6) – Dual independent RAID controllers |
| Cache | 512 MB per RAID controller |
| ADM Compatibility | 180 and 250 GB (400 and 500 GB with 1.2.4-1.3.1 firmware, 750 GB with 1.5 firmware) |
| Bays | 14 – Apple Drive Module bays |
Connections
| Connection | Fibre Channel |
| Ports | 2 – 2 Gb Fibre Channel ports (SFP) 2 – 10/100BASE-T 2 – DB-9 |
Power
| Maximum Continuous Power | 400 W |
| Line Voltage | 100V – 240V AC |
Further Reading and References
- Xserve RAID (SFP): Technical Specifications – Apple Support
- Apple Unveils New Xserve RAID Storage System – Apple Newsroom
- Xserve RAID – Wikipedia
Disclaimer: The data presented in this article is under continuous development and has been manually collected from various sources based on their availability. The author of this article may revise this dataset as additional research is conducted and reviewed. Please note that the information is provided “as is” and “as available” without express or implied warranties. The author cannot be held responsible for any omissions, inaccuracies, or errors in the published information. Any warranties relating to this information are hereby disclaimed.
Last updated: February 25, 2024
