In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, certain innovations stand out as pioneers that paved the way for future advancements. One such groundbreaking creation was Apple’s Xserve RAID SFP Late 2004, a mass-storage device that revolutionized the industry with its unparalleled capacity, performance, and affordability.
In 2004, Apple shook the industry with the introduction of the Xserve RAID SFP, designed specifically for the Macintosh Xserve series. Boasting a massive 5.6 terabytes of storage capacity, this 3U rack storage system redefined the standards of mass storage technology. With 14 independent ATA-100 Apple Drive Module Bays and 2 GB Fibre Channel Ports (SFP), it offered unparalleled flexibility and scalability for businesses and data centers.
The Xserve RAID SFP Late 2004 was ahead of its time, featuring a breakthrough storage architecture optimized for high performance. Dual independent RAID controllers with 512 MB cache per controller ensured sustained throughput of over 380 MBps, making it ideal for demanding applications such as uncompressed 10-bit HD video editing. Its innovative design and performance capabilities earned praise from industry experts and users alike.
Despite its cutting-edge features, what truly set the Xserve RAID SFP Late 2004 apart was its affordability. Priced at just over $2 per GB, it offered enterprise-class storage at a fraction of the cost of competitive offerings. This accessibility made it a popular choice for organizations of all sizes looking to expand their storage capabilities without breaking the bank.
As technology continued to evolve, the Xserve RAID SFP Late 2004 eventually reached the end of its lifecycle. On February 19th, 2008, Apple officially discontinued the product, marking the end of an era in mass storage technology. However, its impact and legacy would live on, shaping the future of storage solutions and influencing subsequent innovations in the field.
Despite being over 19 years old, the Xserve RAID SFP Late 2004 remains a significant part of Apple’s legacy in mass storage technology. Its innovative design, unparalleled performance, and affordability continue to inspire future generations of storage solutions. Many businesses and data centers fondly remember the Xserve RAID as a crucial tool that helped them meet their storage needs and drive innovation in their respective fields.
Xserve RAID SFP Late 2004 Details
| Introduced | October 19, 2004 – 19 years ago |
| Discontinued | February 19, 2008 – 16 years ago |
| Time on the Market | 40 months (3 years) |
| Model Identifier | Unknown |
| Model Number | A1009 |
| EMC | Unknown |
| Order Number | M9721LL/A (1 TB storage) M9722LL/A (2.8 TB storage) M9723LL/A (5.6 TB storage) |
| Original Price | $5,999 $8,499 $12,999 |
| 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 10.3.6 or later
- Mac OS X Server 10.3.6 or later
Storage Specs
| Type | Mass storage system |
| Capacity | Up to 10.4 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 GB 250 GB 400 GB 500 GB 750 GB |
| 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 Updates 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.
