OCZ releases two new enterprise-class Vertex SSDs

OCZ Technology Group, Inc. released two new versions of its data center-class 2.5-in. solid state drive (SSD) series today.

Based on either multi-level cell or higher-end single-level cell NAND flash memory, Vertex 2 Pro and the Vertex 2 EX series both use the latest SandForce SF-1500 SSD processors, OCZ said.

The company claims the drives are both enterprise -grade products with varying longevity, based on the type of NAND flash memory they are using. They automatically store data in an AES-128 encrypted format to protect data.

The Vertex 2 EX uses higher-end single-level cell (SLC) memory, which has 10 times the erase and write cycles with the same performance as the Vertex 2 Pro.

Both drives feature data read rates of up to 285MB/sec read and write rates of 275MB/sec. Using 4KB random writes, the drives can handle up to 50,000 Input/Output per second (IOPS).

While the drives are currently available in serial ATA II (SATA II) connectors, OCZ said the EX series will be available soon with a serial-attached SCSI (SAS) interface.

Late last month, OCZ released a consumer-class Vertex SSD with up to 480GB capacity. The new enterprise-class Vertex Pro and EX drives come in 50GB, 100GB, and 200GB capacities.

"These are truly best-in-class solutions designed for the most rigorous computing environments," Ryan Petersen, CEO of the OCZ Technology Group, said in a statement.

Vertex 2 Pro/EX SSDs feature several enterprise-specific features. Both series have a built-in supercapacitor that acts as a temporary power backup in the event of power loss. They also have superior error correction code (ECC) and a unique technology that mimics RAID for protection and recovery from flash block failures on a single drive.

The drives are backed by a three-year warranty and dedicated technical, and engineering support and customization for OEM clients. OCZ did not offer a suggested manufacturer's retail price for the drives.