F5 ARX-4000, Hardware Installation Manual, Page: 23 / 94

ARX Overview
ARX®4000 Hardware Installation Guide 2 - 3
ARX Overview
In the same way as the current generation of ARX file virtualization devices,
the F5 Acopia Adaptive Resource Switch (ARX) enables global access,
management, delivery, and optimization of information resources for
enterprise data centers. It is a cost-effective Adaptive Resource Switch that
combines application processing and control, switch fabric throughput, and
external interfaces into a compact design consisting of two field replaceable
units (FRUs). The switch includes a removable front bezel which, when
attached, covers all components except the Ethernet ports and a set of data
plane (DP) LEDs.
The following figure shows the front panel of the ARX with its bezel
attached.
Figure 2.1 ARX Adaptive Resource Switch
The ARX offers the same software features as an ARX®6000 1/2/2,
differing only in scale. Specifically, it provides the following features:
• Simplified, flexible, location-independent access to enterprise-wide data.
• Data protection (failover of large file systems, centralized backup, and
scaled backup performance).
• Seamless, transparent data migration across heterogeneous NAS.
• Dynamically tiered storage.
• Storage aggregation of multiple back-end shares into a single client
volume.
• Inline management of storage capacity, to adapt the back-end storage to
client demands.
• Ability to add or remove back-end storage without any effect on clients.
The ARX enables Fast Ethernet and gigabit Ethernet throughput and
provides 12 100/1000 BASE-T external ports for connectivity to network
infrastructure, network-attached storage (NAS) devices, and file servers
with direct-attached storage (DAS).