SoftRAID 3.5 ships

SoftRAID today announced SoftRAID 3.5, an Intel-compatible version of its volume management software that allows endusers to create and maintain RAID and non-RAID volumes on Intel Macs. Both PowerPC- and Intel-based Macs will now recognize SoftRAID volumes created on either type of machine. In addition, SoftRAID 3.5 adds support for removable SATA drives, using PCI- Express and PC-Card interfaces. It also allows the creation of RAID volumes on USB flash drives. The company says that current SoftRAID owners will have no problem bringing their data on portable drives over to their new Intel Macs and that SoftRAID volumes created with older versions of SoftRAID on PowerPC-based Macs can be moved to Intel machines without any conversions, although SoftRAID volumes cannot be used as startup volumes on Intel-based Macs.

"The only limitation users will experience, due to an Apple bug in the new OS X for Intel, is that SoftRAID volumes cannot be used as startup volumes on Intel Macs," the company said. Apple and SoftRAID are currently working together to rectify this situation.

The SoftRAID 3.5 electronic download is $130, while the retail CD is $150. The SoftRAID 3.5 release is a free electronic upgrade to all 3.x owners.

by MacNN Staff