Wasabi Systems Inc.'s BSD-based NAS (network attached storage) software stack now supports a Geode-based reference design from AMD. Wasabi Storage Builder for NAS, combined with AMD's Geode LX NAS RDK (reference design kit), provides a secure, reliable platform for the development of NAS devices,… according to Wasabi.

(Click for larger view of AMD Geode LX NAS board)

Wasabi launched Storage Builder for NAS in mid-2003, as the first in a series of “storage solution kits” based on NetBSD, the version of BSD (Berkeley Software Distribution, aka BSD Unix) optimized for architecture portability. The software stack initially supported IA32 and XScale, with AMCC PowerPC and possibly other architectures added later.

Wasabi calls its Storage Builder stack “the most advanced software platform available today for creating IP-enabled networked storage devices.” The company notes that in contrast to Linux, the stack can be extended to suit specific needs, while retaining “full branding and ownership” of the resulting applications.

Additional touted benefits include:

• Small footprint
• WiFi enabled
• 1-5 drive support (up to 16 total depending upon hardware)
• Integrated WasabiRAID
• Data backup and restore capability, defined per user
• Simultaneous access from multiple PCs
• Private data storage (owner accessible only)
• Public data storage (publicly accessible)
• Automatic power management

Wasabi CEO Frank G. Logan III stated, “Wasabi Storage Builder for NAS represents a best of breed combination of the Open Source software foundation and proprietary storage software. When combined with the AMD Geode NAS RDK, the result is the most powerful and scalable NAS solution in its class.”

AMD's Geode LX NAS RDK

AMD launched its Geode LX NAS RDK (aka “SOHO NAS” RDK) earlier this month. The design comes standard with Linux, but also supports Wasabi's BSD-based storage device stack.

AMD's Geode LX NAS RDK diagram
(Click to enlarge)
The AMD RDK's hardware features include:

• AMD Geode LX processor and chipset
• DDR SDRAM
• Flash BIOS
• 10/100/1000 Ethernet on board
• 4 x USB 2.0 (full speed)
• PCI/SATA – 4 ports, RAIDO, RAID1, RAIDO+1, RAID5
• Optional SATA expanders for storage capability expansion
• 40-pin IDE
• 50-pin standard CFC interface

Jeff Chu, AMD's division manager for embedded, said of Wasabi's NAS design, “It's good at handling data movement — in the range of 10-15Mbps throughput. That's above some of the RISC-based designs that are out there.”

Availability

Wasabi's Storage Builder for Geode LX NAS appears to be available now. Pricing was not disclosed.

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