I am really glad Apple is coming out with new Xserves. But I am still really annoyed they haven't put a USB and Firewire port on the front. Come on Apple, I know you like the "clean" look but keep the functionality the same. It is unbelievable stupid to have a Firewire Port on some models and a USB port on others. If you want us to pay this much for a server, atleast make it easy to plug stuff in when one stops working.
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Apple Error Confirms Xserve Refresh Coming Soon
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What do you need FW on the front of a server for? Not being snotty, just curious. I can see the USB, and FW on the back for connecting to rackmount FW800 arrays, but not so much FW on the front. Maybe if you need to transfer the data off in a hurry?
We need a new Xserve rack as well!
I think I know where I can get a smokin' hot deal on some used servers
It's useful for data transfer, also handy for cloning servers with CCC or SuperDuper.
We need a new Xserve rack as well!
WTF?!
Is there a story behind this image...something I missed? Seagate all the way.
Unfortunately Dell loves to (or at least used to as recent as 2007) use Fujitsu SAS drives, which are horribly unreliable. As a consultant in Chicago I must have replaced over 20 in a 6 month period for various clients.
Seagate definitely is better!
Am I the only one underwhelmed here? I mean no offense folks, so don't take this the wrong way ...
... Where exactly is the market for a rack mounted, Macintosh server today? Did the market share for server hardware suddenly shift to Apple (of all places)? We are talking about the same company who hasn't filled the hardware gap between iMac and Mac Pro or the gap between iMac and Mac Mini and yet lately, I keep reading about Xserve! Xserve! Xserve! ... blah blah blah Xserve! Xserve! Xserve! blah blah blah BBQ11!!1 ...
No really, can someone please school me in the practical utility for Apple servers? In other words, what is it that makes XServe a viable alternative over hardware running Windows or Linux? Is there that great a corporate IT demand for these products? Who else besides the Apple IT dept is using Apple server hardware?
Meanwhile, on the home consumer side, if all I wanted was a file server, it seems to me a Mini + Drobo would be all I need, right?
Open Directory Master for my labs of Macs.
I want my users to have their home folder anywhere they go in school. If they have a laptop, their home folder will sync to the server when they come back to campus.
Yes I can use a windows computer and will soon use it for Active Directory but I still want to enforce GPO on to my mac computer. I do not want students touching system preferences and etc.
You can learn a lot from a 20 year old IT Admin. Now only if someone can show me how to put AD and OD together.
WTF?!
Yeah, Designwyse (an Australian company) had a massive fire at the end of July 2007, destroying their entire building. Their systems were completely destroyed, including the Xserve rack pictured. They actually have it on display now in their office:
Hey is this a new picture...
I don't know much about xserve, but this looks different than the normal image of it.
I found it on Apple's feedback page.
I don't know much about xserve, but this looks different than the normal image of it.
I found it on Apple's feedback page.
Hey is this a new picture...
I don't know much about xserve, but this looks different than the normal image of it.
I found it on *link*.
looks like the older Xserve Storage thingos, maybe they are doing a complete overhaul?
I used to work for $BIG_COMPUTER_COMPANY who sourced high-end drives from all sources. Every one, including Seagate, had bad batches at times. We recalled many, many thousands of Seagate drives at one point. Also, IBM, etc. It happens across the board, which is why I'm rabid about mirrors and backups.
I worked for software companies, I don't trust software. I worked for hardware companies, I don't trust hardware. Some days, I'm amazed the bloody things work at all.... (Overall, I do have good luck with Macs, So far my Pro is as dead-nuts reliable as the G5 that preceded it. And, it's so fast, it should be criminal.
Apple Updates Xserve with Twice the Performance
Tuesday, April 07, 2009 8:30:33 AM (GMT-04:00)
Provided by: PR Newswire
Features Next Generation Architecture and Intel 'Nehalem' Xeon Processors
CUPERTINO, Calif., April 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Apple(R) today announced an updated Xserve(R) that delivers up to twice the performance of the previous system.* Using Intel "Nehalem" Xeon processors and a next generation system architecture, the 1U rack-optimized Xserve delivers up to an 89 percent improvement in performance per watt.** Xserve is available with up to two 2.93 GHz Intel Xeon processors and industry-leading storage options that include a low-power solid state drive (SSD) and up to 3TB of internal storage. Starting at $2,999, Xserve includes an unlimited client license for Mac OS(R) X Server version 10.5 Leopard(R).
"The Xserve is the best workgroup server for our education, business and creative customers," said David Moody, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Mac Product Marketing. "With up to twice the performance, better power efficiency and an innovative SSD drive option, this is the best Xserve we've ever made."
The new Xserve includes Intel Xeon processors running at speeds up to 2.93 GHz, each with an integrated memory controller with three channels of 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC memory that delivers up to 2.4 times the memory bandwidth while cutting memory latency up to 40 percent.*** Using high-efficiency power supplies and intelligent thermal management, Xserve delivers a 19 percent reduction in idle power use.
Xserve's industry-leading storage capabilities include a 128GB SSD boot-drive option that requires a fraction of the power of a hard disk and delivers up to 48 times faster random access times without occupying a drive bay. Xserve's three 3.5 inch drive bays support both 7200 rpm SATA and 15,000 rpm SAS drives and can be configured with up to 3TB of internal storage. Two PCI Express 2.0 x16 expansion slots provide massive I/O bandwidth to support the latest high-bandwidth expansion cards. The Xserve RAID card option now delivers improved performance up to 497MB/s**** and supports RAID levels 0, 1 and 5 with 512MB of cache without using a valuable PCI Express expansion slot. A 72-hour backup battery is included for enhanced data protection.
Every Xserve ships with an unlimited client edition of Leopard Server, offering support for Mac(R), Linux and Windows clients without the added cost of client-access licenses. Leopard Server extends Apple's legendary ease of use with Server Assistant and Server Preferences, which allow even nontechnical users to quickly manage users and groups on the server and easily set up key services. Leopard Server includes Podcast Producer, the ideal way to automatically publish podcasts to iTunes(R) or the web; Wiki Server, allowing people to collaboratively create and modify their shared websites with just a few clicks; and iCal(R) Server, the world's first commercial CalDAV standard-based calendar server. Leopard Server is fully UNIX compliant and LDAP and Active Directory support allows Xserve to fit right in to existing IT environments.
The new Xserve joins Apple's latest hardware products in setting new standards for environmentally friendly design. Xserve uses PVC-free internal cables and components, contains no brominated flame retardants and features a power supply with an average energy efficiency of 89 percent.
Pricing & Availability
The new Xserve is immediately available through the Apple Store(R) (www.apple.com) and Apple Authorized Resellers.
The Xserve standard configuration, with a suggested retail price of $2,999 (US), includes:
-- a single 2.26 GHz Quad-Core Xeon 5500 series processor with 8MB of fully
shared L3 cache;
-- 3GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC RAM;
-- a single 160GB 7200 rpm SATA Apple Drive Module;
-- dual Gigabit Ethernet on-board;
-- two PCI Express 2.0 x16 expansion slots;
-- Bonjour(R)-enabled Lights-Out Management processor and Server Monitor
Software;
-- internal graphics with Mini DisplayPort output;
-- two FireWire(R) 800 and three USB 2.0 ports; and
-- an unlimited client license for Mac OS X Server version 10.5 Leopard.
Build-to-order options and accessories for Xserve include: dual 2.26 GHz, 2.66 GHz or 2.93 GHz Intel Xeon processors; 160GB and 1TB 7200 rpm SATA Apple Drive Modules; 450GB 15,000 rpm SAS drives (third party option); internal Xserve RAID card; Gigabit Ethernet, 4Gb Fibre Channel cards and a 750W redundant power supply.
*Testing conducted by Apple in February 2009 using a preproduction 2.93 GHz 8-core Xserve (2 chips, 8 cores, 4 cores per chip, 2.93 GHz; SPECjbb2005 bops = 203,439, SPECjbb2005 bops/JVM = 50,860) and a shipping 3.0 GHz 8-core Xserve (2 chips, 8 cores, 4 cores per chip, 3.0 GHz; SPECjbb2005 bops = 103,387, SPECjbb2005 bops/JVM = 25,847). SPEC(R) and SPECjbb2005(R) are trademarks of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation (SPEC); see www.spec.org for more information. Competitive benchmark results stated above reflect internal Apple testing and were submitted to SPEC in February 2009. For the latest SPECjbb2005 benchmark results, visit www.spec.org/osg/jbb2005. Performance tests are conducted using specific computer systems and reflect the approximate performance of Xserve.
**Testing conducted by Apple in February 2009 using a preproduction 2.93 GHz 8-core Xserve (SPECpower_ssj(TM)2008 result of 464 overall ssj_ops/watt; 173W at Active Idle; 227,974 ssj_ops and 334W at 100 percent target load) and a shipping 3.0GHz 8-core Xserve (SPECpower_ssj(TM)2008 result of 245 overall ssj_ops/watt; 213W at Active Idle; 141,739 ssj_ops and 353W at 100 percent target load). All units were configured for optimal memory performance (18GB for 2.93 GHz 8-core units and 16GB for 3.0 GHz 8-core units). SPEC(R) and the benchmark name SPECpower_ssj(TM) are trademarks of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation (SPEC); see www.spec.org for more information. Competitive benchmark results stated here reflect internal Apple testing and were submitted to SPEC in March 2009. For the latest SPECpower_ssj2008 benchmark results, visit www.spec.org/power_ssj2008. Performance tests are conducted using specific computer systems and reflect the approximate performance of Xserve.
***Testing conducted by Apple in February 2009 using preproduction 2.93GHz 8-core Xserve units and shipping 3.0 GHz 8-core Xserve units. All units were configured for optimal memory performance (18GB for 8-core 2.93 GHz units, 12GB for 4-core 2.26 GHz units, and 16GB for 8-core 3.0 GHz units). Results are based on the STREAM v. 5.8 benchmark (http://www.cs.virginia.edu/stream/ref.html) using OMP support for multiprocessor-compiled builds. Performance tests are conducted using specific computer systems and reflect the approximate performance of Xserve. Memory latency data provided by Intel.
****Testing conducted by Apple in February 2009 using preproduction 2.93 GHz 8-core Xeon-based Xserve units configured with Xserve RAID Card. Testing conducted using Iometer 2006.07.27 with a 30-second ramp-up, five-minute run duration, 512KB request size, four outstanding IOs, and using non-OS-cached reads and writes. System configured with the operating system on Xserve SSD drive. Performance tests are conducted using specific computer systems and reflect the approximate performance of Xserve RAID Card. Drive average read latency data from manufacturer's published data sheets.
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.
(C) 2009 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, Xserve, Leopard, iTunes, iCal, Apple Store, Bonjour and FireWire are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009 8:30:33 AM (GMT-04:00)
Provided by: PR Newswire
Features Next Generation Architecture and Intel 'Nehalem' Xeon Processors
CUPERTINO, Calif., April 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Apple(R) today announced an updated Xserve(R) that delivers up to twice the performance of the previous system.* Using Intel "Nehalem" Xeon processors and a next generation system architecture, the 1U rack-optimized Xserve delivers up to an 89 percent improvement in performance per watt.** Xserve is available with up to two 2.93 GHz Intel Xeon processors and industry-leading storage options that include a low-power solid state drive (SSD) and up to 3TB of internal storage. Starting at $2,999, Xserve includes an unlimited client license for Mac OS(R) X Server version 10.5 Leopard(R).
"The Xserve is the best workgroup server for our education, business and creative customers," said David Moody, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Mac Product Marketing. "With up to twice the performance, better power efficiency and an innovative SSD drive option, this is the best Xserve we've ever made."
The new Xserve includes Intel Xeon processors running at speeds up to 2.93 GHz, each with an integrated memory controller with three channels of 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC memory that delivers up to 2.4 times the memory bandwidth while cutting memory latency up to 40 percent.*** Using high-efficiency power supplies and intelligent thermal management, Xserve delivers a 19 percent reduction in idle power use.
Xserve's industry-leading storage capabilities include a 128GB SSD boot-drive option that requires a fraction of the power of a hard disk and delivers up to 48 times faster random access times without occupying a drive bay. Xserve's three 3.5 inch drive bays support both 7200 rpm SATA and 15,000 rpm SAS drives and can be configured with up to 3TB of internal storage. Two PCI Express 2.0 x16 expansion slots provide massive I/O bandwidth to support the latest high-bandwidth expansion cards. The Xserve RAID card option now delivers improved performance up to 497MB/s**** and supports RAID levels 0, 1 and 5 with 512MB of cache without using a valuable PCI Express expansion slot. A 72-hour backup battery is included for enhanced data protection.
Every Xserve ships with an unlimited client edition of Leopard Server, offering support for Mac(R), Linux and Windows clients without the added cost of client-access licenses. Leopard Server extends Apple's legendary ease of use with Server Assistant and Server Preferences, which allow even nontechnical users to quickly manage users and groups on the server and easily set up key services. Leopard Server includes Podcast Producer, the ideal way to automatically publish podcasts to iTunes(R) or the web; Wiki Server, allowing people to collaboratively create and modify their shared websites with just a few clicks; and iCal(R) Server, the world's first commercial CalDAV standard-based calendar server. Leopard Server is fully UNIX compliant and LDAP and Active Directory support allows Xserve to fit right in to existing IT environments.
The new Xserve joins Apple's latest hardware products in setting new standards for environmentally friendly design. Xserve uses PVC-free internal cables and components, contains no brominated flame retardants and features a power supply with an average energy efficiency of 89 percent.
Pricing & Availability
The new Xserve is immediately available through the Apple Store(R) (www.apple.com) and Apple Authorized Resellers.
The Xserve standard configuration, with a suggested retail price of $2,999 (US), includes:
-- a single 2.26 GHz Quad-Core Xeon 5500 series processor with 8MB of fully
shared L3 cache;
-- 3GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC RAM;
-- a single 160GB 7200 rpm SATA Apple Drive Module;
-- dual Gigabit Ethernet on-board;
-- two PCI Express 2.0 x16 expansion slots;
-- Bonjour(R)-enabled Lights-Out Management processor and Server Monitor
Software;
-- internal graphics with Mini DisplayPort output;
-- two FireWire(R) 800 and three USB 2.0 ports; and
-- an unlimited client license for Mac OS X Server version 10.5 Leopard.
Build-to-order options and accessories for Xserve include: dual 2.26 GHz, 2.66 GHz or 2.93 GHz Intel Xeon processors; 160GB and 1TB 7200 rpm SATA Apple Drive Modules; 450GB 15,000 rpm SAS drives (third party option); internal Xserve RAID card; Gigabit Ethernet, 4Gb Fibre Channel cards and a 750W redundant power supply.
*Testing conducted by Apple in February 2009 using a preproduction 2.93 GHz 8-core Xserve (2 chips, 8 cores, 4 cores per chip, 2.93 GHz; SPECjbb2005 bops = 203,439, SPECjbb2005 bops/JVM = 50,860) and a shipping 3.0 GHz 8-core Xserve (2 chips, 8 cores, 4 cores per chip, 3.0 GHz; SPECjbb2005 bops = 103,387, SPECjbb2005 bops/JVM = 25,847). SPEC(R) and SPECjbb2005(R) are trademarks of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation (SPEC); see www.spec.org for more information. Competitive benchmark results stated above reflect internal Apple testing and were submitted to SPEC in February 2009. For the latest SPECjbb2005 benchmark results, visit www.spec.org/osg/jbb2005. Performance tests are conducted using specific computer systems and reflect the approximate performance of Xserve.
**Testing conducted by Apple in February 2009 using a preproduction 2.93 GHz 8-core Xserve (SPECpower_ssj(TM)2008 result of 464 overall ssj_ops/watt; 173W at Active Idle; 227,974 ssj_ops and 334W at 100 percent target load) and a shipping 3.0GHz 8-core Xserve (SPECpower_ssj(TM)2008 result of 245 overall ssj_ops/watt; 213W at Active Idle; 141,739 ssj_ops and 353W at 100 percent target load). All units were configured for optimal memory performance (18GB for 2.93 GHz 8-core units and 16GB for 3.0 GHz 8-core units). SPEC(R) and the benchmark name SPECpower_ssj(TM) are trademarks of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation (SPEC); see www.spec.org for more information. Competitive benchmark results stated here reflect internal Apple testing and were submitted to SPEC in March 2009. For the latest SPECpower_ssj2008 benchmark results, visit www.spec.org/power_ssj2008. Performance tests are conducted using specific computer systems and reflect the approximate performance of Xserve.
***Testing conducted by Apple in February 2009 using preproduction 2.93GHz 8-core Xserve units and shipping 3.0 GHz 8-core Xserve units. All units were configured for optimal memory performance (18GB for 8-core 2.93 GHz units, 12GB for 4-core 2.26 GHz units, and 16GB for 8-core 3.0 GHz units). Results are based on the STREAM v. 5.8 benchmark (http://www.cs.virginia.edu/stream/ref.html) using OMP support for multiprocessor-compiled builds. Performance tests are conducted using specific computer systems and reflect the approximate performance of Xserve. Memory latency data provided by Intel.
****Testing conducted by Apple in February 2009 using preproduction 2.93 GHz 8-core Xeon-based Xserve units configured with Xserve RAID Card. Testing conducted using Iometer 2006.07.27 with a 30-second ramp-up, five-minute run duration, 512KB request size, four outstanding IOs, and using non-OS-cached reads and writes. System configured with the operating system on Xserve SSD drive. Performance tests are conducted using specific computer systems and reflect the approximate performance of Xserve RAID Card. Drive average read latency data from manufacturer's published data sheets.
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.
(C) 2009 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, Xserve, Leopard, iTunes, iCal, Apple Store, Bonjour and FireWire are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
I used to work for $BIG_COMPUTER_COMPANY who sourced high-end drives from all sources. Every one, including Seagate, had bad batches at times. We recalled many, many thousands of Seagate drives at one point. Also, IBM, etc. It happens across the board, which is why I'm rabid about mirrors and backups.
I worked for software companies, I don't trust software. I worked for hardware companies, I don't trust hardware. Some days, I'm amazed the bloody things work at all.... (Overall, I do have good luck with Macs, So far my Pro is as dead-nuts reliable as the G5 that preceded it. And, it's so fast, it should be criminal.
I worked as a consultant. I don't trust the hardware or software companies. And of course there will be bad batches with all companies. All I can tell you is that I will never touch a Fujitsu drive.
What config. would be the 'ideal' set-up for a school network with approx 2500 computers?