Scaling to Japan’s largest server farm
A.T. Works was particularly concerned with finding RAID controllers that would best integrate with the specialized servers that are the backbone of the company’s hosting services. Features such as stability, scalability, performance, and technical support in Japan – as well as open source support under Linux – were key criteria in the company’s selection process.

Adaptec Series 5 and Series 2
After evaluating the various RAID solutions available on the market, A.T. Works chose Adaptec Unified Serial® Series 5 and Series 2 RAID controllers for its hosted specialized servers, as well as for various other general use servers.

“We put many RAID controllers through a thorough testing process,” said Katsuyuki Okubo of A.T. Works’ Product Planning Division. “Adaptec RAID controllers met all of our requirements. More than any other vendor, Adaptec proved excellent in terms of compatibility and RAID features, and guaranteed extensive support under Linux in open source. Adaptec controllers also exhibited top sequential read/write performance while offering the stability that is essential for our hosted specialized servers.

“In addition, we benefited greatly from the technical support provided by Adaptec Japan during every stage of development – from testing all the way through to implementation.”

Adaptec Storage Manager
The inclusion of Adaptec Storage Manager in all Adaptec RAID controllers was also a major factor in A.T. Works’ decision to go with Adaptec.

“We wanted to integrate management tools with an intuitive GUI into our server products,” said Mr. Okubo. “Adaptec Storage Manager fit the bill. Adaptec Storage Manager provides an open source remote monitoring solution on a user-friendly control screen. Since this utility was already provided, there was no need to purchase additional management software.”

A.T. Works has been so pleased with Adaptec Storage Manager, the company now allows end-users to install the software at their locations so they can remotely monitor the servers that host their applications.

Trouble-free operation
The Adaptec-equipped AT-LINK specialized hosting servers went into service in September, 2008. To date, the company has seen transparent, trouble-free operation, due in large part to the controllers’ stability and the monitoring functions provided by Adaptec Storage Manager.

“By implementing Adaptec RAID controllers, we have managed to achieve high compatibility with our products as well as greater adaptability and speed,” said Mr. Okubo. “And, thanks to the flexibility of the technical support provided by Adaptec Japan, we have produced an infrastructure that can easily be adapted to meet our customers’ needs.”

A.T. Works Server Farm

Adaptec Products

• Adaptec RAID 2405 (4 internal ports, PCIe)
• Adaptec RAID 5405 (4 internal ports, PCIe)
• Adaptec RAID 51645 (16 internal ports + 4 external ports, PCIe)