Quantum QXS-584 12G

Overview

The Quantum QXS-584 12G is a high-performance RAID-node storage array system, part of the QXS-Series scale-out storage family. Designed to support demanding unstructured data workflows — such as media and entertainment, large-file analytics, post-production, archiving and collaborative editing — it provides enterprise-grade reliability, scalability and connectivity. With dual active controllers, no single point of failure architecture and flexible expansion options, it delivers both high throughput and resilience across clustered storage environments.
The 12G SAS architecture ensures high internal bus bandwidth and low latency, while front-end connectivity options (e.g., 16/32 Gb Fibre Channel and 10/25 Gb Ethernet) make it suitable for SAN and shared-storage deployments using a global namespace file system.
As part of the QXS-Series, it supports scale-up and scale-out growth — enabling organisations to start with a modest configuration and expand to petabyte-scale without forklift upgrades.

Features

• Engineered for throughput-intensive workflows: the QXS-Series is tuned for sequential I/O performance, making it ideal for large streaming files, multi-user editing and collaborative environments.
• High availability architecture: includes dual-active RAID controllers, redundant power supplies, fans and hot-swappable components, eliminating single points of failure and helping maintain continuous operations.
• Modular and scalable: available in multiple form factors (2 U, 5 U) and bay counts, allowing capacity or performance to be added as workloads grow.
• Flexible connectivity: front-end interfaces support modern SAN and Ethernet protocols; internal 12 Gb/s SAS back-end ensures high bandwidth for the storage modules.
• Broad workflow support: Compatible with shared-file-system environments (such as those enabled by a global namespace), enabling SAN (Fibre Channel) and NAS (via gateway) clients, plus support for tiering.
• Optimised for efficiency and density: the system’s architecture allows high capacity per rack unit, reducing data-centre footprint and lowering total cost of ownership over time.
• Seamless expansion and management: Adds expansion chassis or additional nodes without disrupting live workflows, simplifying lifecycle growth.

Specifications

System & Architecture

• Product: QXS-584 12G RAID Node / Storage Array Appliance
• Back-end Bus: 12 Gb/s SAS (for internal expansion connectivity)
• Front-end Connectivity Options: Fibre Channel (16 Gb/32 Gb autosensing) or Ethernet (10 Gb/25 Gb) depending on chassis.
• Controllers: Dual active/active RAID controllers (available in QXS-Series) for high-availability.
• Drive Support: Accepts 2.5″ and 3.5″ HDD/SSD modules (NL-SAS, SAS, SSD) depending on density/performance tier.
• Expansion: Scale-out via additional chassis; scale-up via increased drive counts per bay.
• Max Capacity (varies by model/form): QXS-Series claims up to several petabytes (e.g., up to ~6.7 PB in expanded configurations for 5 U high-density models).
• Max Throughput (example values for QXS-Series 12G variant): up to ~12 GB/s read, ~10 GB/s write for certain 2 U chassis.

Physical / Environmental

• Form Factor: Rack-mounted (e.g., 2 U or 5 U depending on variant).
• Typical Dimensions (for 2 U chassiss): height approx 87.9 mm, width approx 443 mm, depth approx 630 mm (these will vary by full configuration).
• Operating Temperature Range: approximately 5 °C to 35 °C (41 °F to 95 °F) under normal operations.
• Power Supply: 100-240 Vac, 50/60 Hz; power draw varies by model and configuration (example: up to ~580 W for certain 2 U models).
• High-Availability Features: redundant hot-swappable drives, power supplies and fans; mirrored cache with backup via supercapacitors.

Drive & Storage Configuration Example

• Example bundle: QXS-584 12G with 14-drive pack at 20 TB raw (14 × 20 TB) for ~280 TB raw storage (usable will be lower after RAID/overhead).
• Drive Interface: SAS 12 Gb/s internal; external connectivity based on deployment.
• RAID Levels & Data Protection: Supports RAID configurations and redundant controllers to safeguard data and maintain service continuity.

Software / Workflow Support

• Integrates with global namespace file systems (for example those from the manufacturer) enabling SAN/NAS access concurrently.
• Works in shared-storage workflows, enabling concurrent file access across many clients (Windows, Linux, macOS) via SAN/NAS protocols.

Software-defined or firmware features may include tiering, caching, snapshotting, and streamlined management of large unstructured data sets.