AMD is adding RAID data protection to its server chips, thanks to an OEM deal with Dot Hill.

Dot Hill's RAIDCore virtual RAID adapter technology will be embedded into platforms based on the AMD SR5690/SP5100 server chipset.

AMD will bundle two new SP5100 chipset models with a license to Dot Hill's RAIDCore VRA technology solutions. The SP5100R will support RAIDCore Basic, which offers RAID levels 0, 1 and 10, while the SP5100R5 supports RAIDCore Plus with RAID levels 0, 1, 5 and 10.

RAIDCore VRA solutions support Windows and Linux and offer a storage "system on a chip" that provides the same functionality as hardware-based RAID. The technology uses the power of multi-core server CPUs to provide integrated storage capabilities and process RAID tasks without compromising performance.

Adaptec (NASDAQ: ADPT) and LSI (NYSE: LSI) are other data storage vendors offering software RAID solutions, which cost a fraction of hardware RAID adapters and also save on power and cooling costs...