HD Optimized Performance
Sonnet's Fusion RAID storage systems are widely recognized for their performance and dependability, providing users the data throughput and protection critical in the growing field of high definition video editing work. Fusion RX1600RAID takes these attributes to a new level. Building on proven technologies, the Fusion RX1600RAID rackmount 16-drive SATA storage system offers the fastest performance and biggest capacity yet of any Sonnet storage system plus the easy expandability featured in the Fusion DX800RAID, and adds Enterprise-class features to the mix. Fusion RX1600RAID storage systems are designed for work environments where performance and fault tolerance are critical, and maximum availability a must. Fusion RX1600RAID storage systems easily handle uncompressed HD while protecting the data at the same time, yet flexible enough to be configured for any workflow.

Under real world use (drives 85% filled and fragmented) with its drives formatted as a RAID 5 group (sixteen 1TB drives striped with parity across all group members), a Fusion RX1600RAID system is capable of 2K (2048 x 1556) LOG RGB capture and playback. A Fusion RX1600RAID system can achieve up to 1000 MB/sec read and 750 MB/sec write (AJA Kona 1080HD test), fast enough to handle uncompressed 10-bit 1080 4:4:4 HD, or multiple streams of ProRes 422, uncompressed 8-bit 1080 HD, DV, HDV, and DVCPRO video.

With drives formatted as a RAID 4, RAID 5, RAID 6, or DVRAID group, Fusion RX1600RAID systems offer file protection in the event of a drive failure (two drives when formatted as a RAID 6 group). You can configure your system to provide visual and audible alerts, including e-mail notification in the event of a drive failure. A drive can be swapped out and the RAID group rebuilt in around four hours, or you can continue to work at reduced bandwidth while the RAID group rebuilds in the background.

RAID Flexibility
Fusion RX1600RAID systems support RAID 4 (DV RAID), 5, 6, and 10 for balanced performance and protection; RAID 1 for ultimate redundancy; and RAID 0 for pure, unadulterated speed; JBOD support is available, too. Fusion RX1600RAID systems even support hot spares - you can set up your RAID group so that one or more designated hot spare drives wait unused in the background to automatically replace a failed drive without you having to lift a finger. All this flexibility is accomplished without switches - a simple to use configuration utility enables you to optimize your setup for specific workflow requirements.

Easy Expandability
When your job calls for access to more than 16TB of files, Sonnet offers an economical upgrade path that is simple to deploy - Fusion RX1600RAID storage expansion systems. Each RX1600RAID storage system features an internal SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) expander that enables you to connect additional RX1600RAID enclosures in a daisy chain, no additional RAID controller card needed. This simplifies installation and significantly reduces your cost to expand capacity. Of course, if your needs are simpler, each system includes user-swappable drive modules so you can easily change sets of drives as you go.

Status Supervisor
The reliability of the Fusion RX1600RAID is further enhanced through SES (SCSI Enclosure Services) 2.0 compliance and enhanced S.M.A.R.T (Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology) data reporting for each hard drive installed in the system. Built into the Fusion RX1600RAID enclosure, SES functionality provides enhanced real-time monitoring and reporting of drive, power supply, and temperature status, with real time results displayed in utility application screens and the illumination of conveniently placed LEDs on the enclosure. Warning alarms sound in case of a power supply or fan issue, too. S.M.A.R.T. data criteria can be used to notify you of an impending drive failure and enable you to minimize downtime as a result.

Master Controller
The heart of a Fusion RX1600RAID storage system is the Sonnet PCI Express ® RAID controller. This powerhouse is based on the latest-generation Intel ® IOP348 RAID processor running at 1.2 GHz, which can handle the throughput from all the drives with plenty of overhead. The Sonnet RAID controller is configured with 256MB of ECC-protected RAM, especially important to maintain data stream writes as the disk array nears capacity.

Driving Force
Fusion RX1600RAID storage systems employ Enterprise/RAID Edition hard drives and select latest-generation standard drives(2). These drives are subjected to hours of additional, stringent testing to check for soft errors, vibration, and other reliability predictors - just the sturdiest drives pass these tests and are prepared with special RAID-optimized firmware. The Enterprise/RAID drives offered by Sonnet have higher MTBF (mean time between failure) specs and carry longer warranties (5-year vs. 3-year) than standard drives.

Versatile Performance
These systems are ideal for use in mixed environments - various operating systems, editing applications and output demands requiring the flexibility and interoperability that Fusion RX1600RAID storage systems provide. Fusion RX1600RAID systems support Mac OS-X, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Linux. They are compatible with capture cards from AJA, Blackmagic Design, Matrox, and Bluefish444, and work with all mainstream video editing applications including Apple Final Cut Pro, and Adobe  Premiere Pro CS4.