NYRO Technix Inc. has announced plans to update its NXRAID software for Mac OS X. NXRAID is a software-based RAID 5 product.
RAID is a popular method for using multiple disks to store information. RAID 5 systems combine data striping — writing out bytes of information across multiple disk drives — together with error correction. The result is a high-performance system that is particularly resistant to mechanical drive failures.
Most RAID 5 systems are driven by dedicated hardware interfaces, but NXRAID is a software-only solution. It works with IDE, FireWire, SCSI and Fibre Channel-based storage. At US$189, NXRAID is priced below what equivalent hardware-based systems cost.
NXRAID is available in two different versions: One is aimed at Xserves running Mac OS X 10.2.4, and the other is aimed at other Apple hardware running Mac OS X 10.2.1 through 10.2.5, excluding four-drive configurations. These versions will be combined with NXRAID 1.2, according to the developer. That update will also address the issues that have come to light regarding four-drive advance configurations, the new slot-loading Xserves and Mac OS X 10.2.5.
In related news, NYRO Technix noted that it is looking for a company interested in acquiring its software assets, including NXRAID. Interested parties are asked to contact NYRO.