CipherMax Disk Security

Until recently, the use of strong encryption to secure large volumes of disk-based storage with no significant impact on performance or latency has not been an option. The introduction of the CipherMax architecture has changed all that.

The ability to provide high-speed, fabric-based encryption processing with nearly imperceptible 5µs latency allows CipherMax systems to deliver an enormous amount of functionality with far less consumption of space, power and cooling than first-generation inline encryption appliances. The flexibility to configure from 16 up to 512 FC port connections to suit the user’s network requirements maximizes the efficient use of cryptographic throughput.

CipherMax disk security solutions dynamically allocate encryption processing power across multiple ports that support any-to-any connectivity options, providing load-balanced performance and the highest level of scalability available from a storage security system.

Other CipherMax disk security solution highlights include:

• Flexible deployment options as transparent appliance or fabric-attached edge device for minimal disruption to operations
• Fully integrated, high-speed encryption services for enterprise-scalable storage security solutions
• Simplified and centralized management of system, security and SAN administration, and encryption key management
• Fully redundant, highly reliable design supports automatic fault detection and recovery for non-stop computing

CipherMax CM180D

The CipherMax CM180D is the first compact storage security system to integrate high performance encryption with SAN access control and 16-port connectivity for centralized, fabric-based protection of sensitive data on disk. This innovative system design in a 1U chassis uses the immense computing power of its integrated hardware encryption engines to deliver transparent, scalable storage security for enterprise IT environments. The CM180D provides users with a complete solution for all primary and secondary disk-based storage at local and remote locations.

CM180D data sheet (PDF)

 

CipherMax CM250

The mid-range CM250 enterprise storage security system uses a highly scalable, modular chassis design with fully redundant, hot-swappable elements that ensure uninterrupted operation. Its system architecture supports non-disruptive software and hardware upgrades and high-availability clustering. The CM250 can be easily trunked to the edge of an existing fabric for integration into existing SANs.

In contrast to first generation data encryption appliances that primarily serve as tactical point devices for limited deployments, the CM250 can scale to support up to 64 ports of connectivity. Its modular line cards support any-to-any connectivity, offering an optimal storage security platform for deployment in medium- to large-sized IT environments. This approach offers enormous benefits to enterprises such as scalability, simplified management, higher performance, deployment flexibility, improved reliability and a dramatically reduced total cost of ownership.

CM 250 data sheet (PDF)

 

CipherMax CM500

For the largest enterprise data centers with high port count storage environments, the CM500 provides a cost-effective, easily managed solution for securing disk-based stored data. The high-end, carrier-class design of the CM500 provides the highest levels of scalability and reliability available. Its system architecture supports non-disruptive software and hardware upgrades and high-availability clustering. The high-end CM500 can scale to 256 ports in a single device or 512 ports in a clustered configuration with dual systems. Its modular line cards support any-to-any connectivity across a highly scalable storage security platform, offering enormous benefits to larges enterprises such as scalability, simplified management, deployment flexibility, high reliability and an affordable total cost of ownership.

CM 500 data sheet (PDF)

 

Scalable and Flexible Architecture

The configurable architecture of CipherMax’s storage security solutions was specifically designed to enable high levels of performance and scalability, thus avoiding problems commonly encountered with currently available encryption appliances. CipherMax functionality required to support enterprise storage environments includes:

High port count: 16 ports in a single chassis, or 32 ports in a clustered CM180D configuration. By clustering a CM180D with a CM250 or CM500 system, the CM180D can scale from 16 up to 272 FC ports to accommodate future growth requirements.

Flexible deployment options: CipherMax systems can be connected as an appliance for transparent integration or trunked to an existing SAN fabric for any-to-any connectivity.

Load-balanced architecture: A design that enables the connectivity of hundreds of hosts and storage targets provides the highest degree of flexible configuration available.

High performance processing: High-speed processors provide enough encrypted data throughput to support multiple 2Gb Fibre Channel connections at full line speed.

Centralized interface: Global security administration allows the management of all CipherMax functions locally or remotely through a single, secure user interface.

Configurability: Automatic zone detection and optional LUN masking and re-mapping reduce setup time and mitigate the possibility of configuration errors in security policies.