In case you missed it, Byte and Switch has posted a follow-up article to the ongoing Ciprico bankruptcy proceedings. So, like a never-ending game of hot potato, it now appears that Dot Hill will be picking up the RAIDCore torch
and carrying it forward. This is great news for people like me since
I've been using RAIDCore-based controllers since the technology was
first developed.
Pursuant to bankruptcy proceedings Dot Hill Systems
was the winning bidder to acquire all of Ciprico's rights to its
RAIDCore™ technology and a joint ownership interest with Ciprico in its
NAS intellectual property.
For those who may be interested, the RAIDCore technology was originally developed by RAIDCore, Corp., a small company founded in New Hampshire in 2001. They produced and sold controllers successfully for several years until they were acquired by Broadcom in early 2004. Broadcom incorporated this new technology into their own BC series controllers until mid-2006, apparently with limited success. As a result, Ciprico purchased the RAIDCore line of business in June of that same year* and began developing their own line of RAID controllers using the RAIDCore technology. Unfortunately, the life span of this new line of controllers was to be cut short again due to a number of internal issues. According to Ciprico's former CEO, Steven Merrifield, it came down to a simple lack of funds and bad timing.
We lost the race
and ran out of money before we were able to get the new version of the
product to market. It is a great piece of code, and where the market is headed.
Software RAID is more relevant today. With high-speed front ends and dual-core, quad-core, and
8-way processors, this approach can perform much better and be much
more cost-effective.
As an end user of the original RAIDCore products, as well as the follow-on Broadcom and Ciprico series controllers, I have experienced overwhelming success with this technology. RAIDCore was the first company to combine high-end RAID functionality at a significantly-reduced price point. For small- to medium-sized businesses with inherent budget constraints, these controllers were able to fill a much needed niche, offering many of the same advantages as their more expensive counterparts at a very competitive rate.
While I'm disappointed that there will once again be a gap in development efforts while Dot Hill gears up, I'm excited to know that this technology will not be lost. I sincerely hope that Dot Hill continues to expand on the technology, offering a brand new line of products and continued support in the process.
* Sources vary on the exact date of Ciprico's acquisition
Related Articles:
Broadcom Acquires RAIDCore
Ciprico Files for Bankruptcy
Dot Hill to Acquire Ciprico Assets
Ciprico Finalizes Acquisition of Assets