2.8. Hardware models

There have been several generations of hardware, the xx10 series, the xx20 series, the xx50 series, the CX series and the EX series. In each generation there are several different models, from low end desktop units to high end data center rack mounted models.

2.8.1. Steelhead xx10 series models

The xx10 series models are obsoleted and are not discussed here. These models can run up to and including RiOS version 5.0.

2.8.2. Steelhead xx20 series models

The xx20 series models consist of a set of desktop models, 1RU rack models and 3RU rack models. To upgrade between models, except for the 50, 100, 200 and 300 models, the whole device must be replaced.

These models can run up to and including RiOS version 6.5.

2.8.2.1. Model 50, 100, 200, 300

The 50, 100, 200 and 300 models are desktop units. They have a single in-path interface pair and a single hard disk.

These models only differ in the optimized WAN capacity and the number of optimized TCP sessions.

Table 2.1. Model 50, 100, 200, 300

 Model 50Model 100Model 200Model 300
WAN Capacity256 Kbps1 Mbps1 Mbps2 Mbps
TCP Connections25025110165
Data store size35 Gb35 Gb35 Gb35 Gb
Memory512 Mb512 Mb512 Mb512 Mb
On-board in-path interfaces1111
Expansion slots0000

2.8.2.2. Model 520, 1020, 1520, 2020

The 520, 1020, 1520 and 2020 models are 1RU units. They have two on-board in-path interface pairs and can have one extra bypass card for additional in-path interfaces.

Table 2.2. Model 520, 1020, 1520, 2020

 Model 520Model 1020Model 1520Model 2020
WAN Capacity1 Mbps2 Mbps4 Mbps10 Mbps
TCP Connections3307001 1002 000
Data store size80 Gb80 Gb80 Gb150 Gb
Memory2 Gb2 Gb2 Gb4 Gb
On-board in-path interfaces0000
Expansion slots1111

2.8.2.3. Model 3020, 3520, 5520, 6020, 6120

The 3020, 3520, 5520, 6020 and 6120 models are 3RU units. They have two on-board in-path interface pairs and can have up to three extra bypass cards.

Table 2.3. Model 3020, 3520, 5520, 6020, 6120

 Model 3020Model 3520Model 5520Model 6020Model 6120
WAN Capacity20 Mbps45 Mbps155 Mbps310 Mbps310 Mbps
TCP Connections3 5006 00015 00040 0004 000
Data store size250 Gb512 Gb700 Gb1.4 Tb3.4 Tb
Memory4 Gb6 Gb8 Gb16 Gb16 Gb
On-board in-path interfaces00000
Expansion slots33333

2.8.3. Steelhead xx50 series models

Unlike the xx20 series models, where a hardware upgrade between similar models involved a replacement of the hardware, most of the xx50 series models can perform a configuration upgrade by using a license key.

2.8.3.1. Models 150, 250 and 550

The 150, 250 and 550 models are desktop units. They have a single in-path interface pair and a single hard disk.

The 150 model comes only in the M configuration.

Table 2.4. Model 150

 Model 150M
WAN Capacity1 Mbps
TCP Connections20
Data store size40 Gb
Memory1 Gb
On-board in-path interfaces1
Expansion slots0

The 250 model comes in L, M and H configurations which only differ in the optimized WAN capacity and the number of optimized TCP sessions.

Table 2.5. Model 250

 Model 250LModel 250MModel 250H
WAN Capacity1 Mbps1 Mbps2 Mbps
TCP Connections40125200
Data store size40 Gb40 Gb40 Gb
Memory1 Gb1 Gb1 Gb
On-board in-path interfaces111
Expansion slots000

The 550 model comes in M and H configurations which only differ in the optimized WAN capacity and the number of optimized TCP sessions.

Table 2.6. Model 550

 Model 550MModel 550H
WAN Capacity2 Mbps4 Mbps
TCP Connections300600
Data store size80 Gb80 Gb
Memory2 Gb2 Gb
On-board in-path interfaces11
Expansion slots00

2.8.3.2. Models 1050 and 2050

The 1050 and 2050 models are 1RU units. They have two on-board in-path interface pairs and can have one extra in-path card.

The 1050 model comes in U, L, M and H configurations and with an optional RAID10 feature.

  • The 1050U model has the same WAN and TCP capacity as the model 550H, but is capable of running 64-bit RSP instances.

  • The 1050L and 1050M models have a single hard disk and have 2 Gb of memory.

  • The 1050H model has two hard disks in a RAID0 configuration and has 4 Gb of memory.

  • The 1050LR, 1050MR and 1050HR models contain four hard disks in a RAID10 configuration.

An upgrade towards a 1050H model requires the installation of extra memory, one extra hard disk and requires the data store to be re-initialized.

An upgrade towards a RAID configuration requires the installation of extra hard disks and will clear the data store.

Table 2.7. Model 1050

 Model 1050UModel 1050L / 1050LRModel 1050M / 1050MRModel 1050H / 1050HR
WAN Capacity4 Mbps8 Mbps10 Mbps20 Mbps
TCP Connections6008001 2002 300
Data store size80 Gb100 Gb100 Gb200 Gb
Memory2 Gb2 Gb2 Gb4 Gb
On-board in-path interfaces1222
Expansion slots0111

The 2050 model comes in L, M and H configurations which only differ in the optimized WAN capacity and the number of optimized TCP sessions.

Table 2.8. Model 2050

 Model 2050LModel 2050MModel 2050H
WAN Capacity45 Mbps45 Mbps45 Mbps
TCP Connections2 5004 0006 000
Data store size400 Gb400 Gb400 Gb
Memory6 Gb6 Gb6 Gb
On-board in-path interfaces222
Expansion slots111

2.8.3.3. Models 5050 and 6050

The 5050 and 6050 models are 3RU units. They have two on-board in-path interface pairs and can have four extra in-path cards.

The 5050 model comes in L, M and H configurations which differ in the optimized WAN capacity, the number of optimized TCP sessions and the size of the data store.

An upgrade towards a 5050H model requires the installation of extra hard disks and will clear the data store.

Table 2.9. Model 5050

 Model 5050LModel 5050MModel 5050H
WAN Capacity90 Mbps90 Mbps155 Mbps
TCP Connections7 50010 00018 000
Data store size600 Gb600 Gb800 Gb
Memory8 Gb8 Gb8 Gb
On-board in-path interfaces222
Expansion slots444

The 6050 model comes in only one configuration.

Table 2.10. Model 6050

 Model 6050
WAN Capacity310 Mbps
TCP Connections50 000
Data store size3.5 Tb
Memory24 Gb
On-board in-path interfaces2
Expansion slots4

2.8.3.4. Model 7050

The 7050 model is a 3RU unit.

The 7050 model comes in L and M configurations which differ in number of optimized TCP sessions and in data store size. The storage of the data store in the 7050 model are solid-state disks instead of hard disks.

An upgrade towards a 7050M model requires the installation of extra memory, extra hard disks and but, because of the use of the FTS, will not require the re-initialization of the data store.

Table 2.11. Model 7050

 Model 7050LModel 7050M
WAN Capacity1 Gbps1 Gbps
TCP Connections75 000100 000
Data store size2.2 Tb4.4 Tb
Memory24 Gb32 Gb
On-board in-path interfaces22
Expansion slots44

2.8.4. Steelhead CX series models

The CX series models are the "classic series", one of the successors of the xx50 series models. They are "classic" because they purely do WAN optimization and don't have the virtualization capabilities of the RSP/VSP features. Also the PFS capability has been removed from them.

2.8.4.1. Model CX255

The CX255 model is a desktop unit. It has only one in-path interface pairs and a single hard disk. There is no AUX port and the serial port is an RJ45 port.

The CX255 model comes in U, L, M and H configurations which differ in the optimized WAN capacity and the number of optimized TCP sessions.

Table 2.12. Model CX255

 Model CX255UModel CX255LModel CX255MModel CX255H
WAN Capacity2 Mbps6 Mbps6 Mbps6 Mbps
TCP Connections5075150230
Data store size50 Gb50 Gb50 Gb50 Gb
Memory2 Gb2 Gb2 Gb2Gb
On-board in-path interfaces1111
Expansion slots0000

2.8.4.2. Model CX555 and CX755

The CX555 and CX755 models are desktop units. They have two in-path interface pairs and a dual hard disk.

The CX555 model comes in L, M and H configurations which differ in the optimized WAN capacity and the number of optimized TCP sessions.

Table 2.13. Model CX555

 Model CX555LCX555MModel CX555H
WAN Capacity6 Mbps10 Mbps10 Mbps
TCP Connections250400650
Data store size80 Gb80 Gb80 Gb
Memory2 Gb2 Gb2 Gb
On-board in-path interfaces222
Expansion slots000

The CX755 model comes in L, M and H configurations which differ in the optimized WAN capacity, the number of optimized TCP sessions and size of the data store.

The CX755H model comes with a single hard disk and a single solid-state disk, the latter used for the data store.

An upgrade towards a CX755M model does not require a change in hardware.

Table 2.14. Model CX755

 Model CX755LModel CX755MModel CX755H
WAN Capacity10 Mbps10 Mbps20 Mbps
TCP Connections9001 5002 300
Data store size100 Gb100 Gb160 Gb
Memory2 Gb2 Gb4 Gb
On-board in-path interfaces222
Expansion slots000

2.8.4.3. Model CX570 and CX770

The CX570 and CX770 models are desktop units. They have two in-path interface pairs and a hard disk and solid-state disk, the latter used for the data store.

The CX570 model comes in L, M and H configurations which differ in the optimized WAN capacity and the number of optimized TCP sessions.

Table 2.15. Model CX570

 Model CX570LCX570MModel CX570H
WAN Capacity6 Mbps10 Mbps10 Mbps
TCP Connections250400650
Data store size70 Gb70 Gb70 Gb
Memory2 Gb2 Gb2 Gb
On-board in-path interfaces222
Expansion slots000

The CX770 model comes in L, M and H configurations which differ in the optimized WAN capacity and the number of optimized TCP sessions.

Table 2.16. Model CX770

 Model CX770LModel CX770MModel CX770H
WAN Capacity10 Mbps10 Mbps20 Mbps
TCP Connections9001 5002 300
Data store size150 Gb150 Gb150 Gb
Memory4 Gb4 Gb4 Gb
On-board in-path interfaces222
Expansion slots000

2.8.4.4. Model CX1555

The CX1555 model is an 1RU units.

The CX1555 model comes in L, M and H configurations which differ in the number of optimized TCP sessions and size of the data store.

The CX1555L and CX1555M models have four hard disks in a RAID10 configuration, the CX1555H model has two hard disks in a RAID1 configuration and two SSD disks in an FTS configuration.

An upgrade towards a CX1555M model does not require a change in hardware, the upgrade towards a CX1555H model requires a replacement of two hard disks with two SSD disks.

Table 2.17. Model CX1555

 Model CX1555LModel CX1555MModel CX1555H
WAN Capacity50 Mbps50 Mbps100 Mbps
TCP Connections3 0004 5006 000
Data store size400 Gb400 Gb320 Gb
Memory8 Gb8 Gb8 Gb
On-board in-path interfaces222
Expansion slots222

2.8.4.5. Model CX5055 and CX7055

The CX5055 and CX7055 models are 2RU units.

Like the 7050 model, they use SSD disks in a Fault Tolerant Segstore method for the data store and use two hard disks for the operating system.

The CX5055 model comes in M and H configurations which differ in the optimized WAN capacity and the number of optimized TCP sessions.

An upgrade towards a CX5055H model does not require a change in hardware.

Table 2.18. Model CX5055

 Model CX5055MModel CX5055H
WAN Capacity200 Mbps400 Mbps
TCP Connections14 00025 000
Data store size640 Gb640 Gb
Memory16 Gb16 GB
On-board in-path interfaces22
Expansion slots44

The CX7055 model comes in L, M and H configurations which differ in the optimized WAN capacity, the number of optimized TCP sessions, the amount of memory and the size of the data store.

The CX7055L model does not have a hardware compression card, the CX7055M and CX7055H models do have a hardware compression card.

The CX7055 models cannot be upgraded in the field, it requires a replacement of the unit.

Table 2.19. Model CX7055

 Model CX7055LModel CX7055MModel CX7055H
WAN Capacity622 Mbps1000 Mbps1500 Mbps
TCP Connections75 000100 000150 000
Data store size1.6 Tb2.4 Tb4.8 Tb
Memory32 Gb48 Gb64 Gb
On-board in-path interfaces222
Expansion slots444

2.8.5. Steelhead EX series models

The EX series models are the "edge series", one of the successors of the xx50 series. Unlike the CX series models they are capable of doing the virtualization with VSP and are ready to work with the Granite product. Like the CX series models, they don't have the PFS capabilities.

2.8.5.1. Models EX560, EX760 and EX1160

The EX560, EX760 and EX1160 models are 1RU units. They have two on-board in-path interfaces. They all use solid state disks for their data stores.

The EX560 model comes in G, L, M and H configurations. The EX560G model is only for use with the Granite product.

An upgrade towards an EX560L, EX560M and EX560H model does not require a change in hardware.

Table 2.20. Model EX560

 Model EX560LModel EX560MModel EX560H
WAN Capacity6 Mbps10 Mbps10 Mbps
TCP Connections250400650
Data store size40 Gb70 Gb70 Gb
Memory8 Gb8 Gb8 Gb
On-board in-path interfaces222
Expansion slots222

The EX760 model comes in L, M and H configurations.

An upgrade towards an EX760M and EX760H model does not require a change in hardware.

Table 2.21. Model EX760

 Model EX760LModel EX760MModel EX760H
WAN Capacity10 Mbps10 Mbps20 Mbps
TCP Connections9001 5002 300
Data store size150 Gb150 Gb150 Gb
Memory16 Gb16 Gb16 Gb
On-board in-path interfaces222
Expansion slots222

The EX1160 model comes in G, L, M, H and VH configurations. The EX1160G model is only for use with the Granite product.

An upgrade towards an EX1160L, EX1160M and EX1160H model does not require a change in hardware.

Table 2.22. Model EX1160

 Model EX1160LModel EX1160MModel EX1160HModel EX1160VH
WAN Capacity10 Mbps10 Mbps20 Mbps50 / 100 Mbps
TCP Connections9001 5002 30006 000
Data store size140 Gb140 Gb140 Gb280 Gb
Memory20 Gb20 Gb20 Gb24 Gb
On-board in-path interfaces2222
Expansion slots2222

The WAN capacity of an EX1160VH can be increased to 100 Mbps via a license key.

2.8.5.2. Model EX1260

The EX1260 model is a 2RU chassis.

The EX1260 model comes in G, L, M, H and VH configurations. The EX1260G model is only for use with the Granite product.

An upgrade towards an EX1260L, EX1260M and EX1260H model does not require a change in hardware.

Table 2.23. Model EX1260

 Model EX1260LModel EX1260MModel EX1260HModel EX1260VH
WAN Capacity10 Mbps10 Mbps20 Mbps50 / 100 Mbps
TCP Connections9001 1 5002 3006 000
Data store size140 Gb140 Gb140 Gb280 Gb
On-board in-path interfaces2222
Expansion slots4444

The memory field has been removed from here because of the way the model EX1260 can be configured.

The WAN capacity of an EX1260VH can be increased to 100 Mbps via a license key.

2.8.5.3. Model EX1360

The EX1360 model is a 2RU model.

The EX1360 model comes in the G, L and M configurations. The EX1360G model is only for use with the Granite product.

An upgrade towards an EX1360L and EX1360M model does not require a change in hardware.

Table 2.24. Model EX1360

 Model EX1360LModel EX1360M
WAN Capacity50 Mbps100 Mbps
TCP Connections4 5006 000
Data store size320 Gb320 Gb
Memory24 Gb24 Gb
On-board in-path interfaces22
Expansion slots44

2.8.6. Steelhead DX series models

The DX series models are the "data center series", for specific data-center to data-center environments. They have a memory-only data store and only limited latency optimization features.

The DX series models will only optimize against other DX series models.

2.8.6.1. Model DX8000

The DX8000 model is a 2RU unit. They have one on-board in-path interface.

Table 2.25. Model DX8000

 Model DX8000
WAN Capacityno limit
TCP Connections10 500
Data store sizememory only
Memory128 Gb
On-board in-path interfaces1
Expansion slots-

2.8.7. Interceptor models

The two hardware models are the 9200 and 9350 model. The old 9200 model had a single hard disk and supported up to and including Interceptor software version 3.0.x. The new 9350 model has two hard disks in a RAID1 configuration.

2.8.8. Steelhead Mobile models

The two hardware models are the 8500 and 8650 model. The old 8500 model had a single hard disk and supported up to and including SMC software version 3.1.x. The new 8650 model has two hard disks in a RAID1 configuration.

The VM based SMC model has two virtual disks.

2.8.9. Central Management Console models

The two hardware models are the 8000 and 8150 model. The old 8000 model had a single hard disk and supported up to and including CMC software version 6.5.x. The new 8150 model has two hard disks in a RAID1 configuration.

The VM based CMC 8001 model has three virtual disks, two for the operating system and the CMC software and one for the data.