ADIC has announced their new tape library platform (see article below). I find it of mild interest that that they talk about configuring the library for DLT, SDLT, LTO and AIT, but as far as I can see, they don't even mention M2. They do mention Exabyte as a "partner" who uses their software, but fail to mention Mammouth specifically. I'm not as certain as some of the Exabyte shareholders on Yahoo appear to be that DSS's dismissal of M2 as "too little , too late" is as cavalier as they would like to believe. If EXBT really will come out with a long term viable and competitive product ahead of either DSS or IBM (which at this point seems to be who LTO amounts to), then one would think that ADIC would have their library already configured for them.
So, at least, it would seem to this observor.
s.
ADIC Introduces New Tape Library Platform; Drive-independent Scalar 100 First to Support SAN, SCSI and NAS Connectivity Sets New Industry Standard for Storage Density
REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 3, 1999--Advanced Digital Information Corporation
(Nasdaq:ADIC) today introduced its Scalar 100, a new generation enterprise tape library platform that is
the first in the industry to offer enterprise IT departments direct support for the newest networking and
media technologies. The Scalar 100 also sets new storage density benchmarks and offers enhanced
web management capabilities.
The ADIC Scalar 100 is designed to support the industry's broadest range of emerging storage and
networking architectures with user-configurable, plug-in modules. The library supports traditional SCSI
connection, but can be easily converted for SAN use by addition of a FibreReady(TM) SAN module. As a
SAN library, the Scalar 100 supports IT departments who want to reduce network traffic, consolidate data
protection and share storage resources between multiple servers using a high-bandwidth Storage Area
Network. Installation of the library's StorNext(TM) network attach library option converts the Scalar 100 into
the industry's first network-attach storage (NAS) archive tape library. As a network-attach library, the Scalar
100 allows heterogeneous network clients to use the library for near-line and archival applications while
completely eliminating the requirement for a separate server.
"The storage market is evolving rapidly, with companies continuously searching for different ways to
store, access and connect network data," noted Bill Britts, ADIC executive vice-president of Sales and
Marketing. "Fortunately, there are effective new networking and tape drive architectures that are being
introduced to address these requirements, but what's been missing is a library platform designed from
the beginning to deliver all of these new capabilities to the IT community. The Scalar 100's flexible, open
architecture and its dynamic connectivity make it the first library platform designed specifically to
incorporate these new technologies, bridging the gap between today's and tomorrow's enterprise storage
requirements."
The Scalar 100 features a drive-independent design that allows it to easily support different drive and
media types. In addition to supporting DLTtape(TM) and AIT formats, the Scalar 100 is the first library
designed to support the new LTO Ultrium format in development by IBM, HP, and Seagate, as well as
Quantum Corporation's SuperDLT drives. Moreover, the Scalar 100 was designed to be quickly
reconfigured for other new media types, providing a single platform, supplier and user interface for the
widest variety of media types in the industry.
The Scalar 100 also offers the highest density tape storage in the industry, enabling IT departments to
conserve expensive data center space. In its DLTtape configuration, the Scalar 100 houses up to 6 drives
and 60 data cartridges (4.8 terabytes capacity) in only 14 units of standard rack space (nearly 350 GB of
storage per rack unit). This capacity increases storage density by 50% over existing DLT tape libraries.
The Scalar 100 also offers easy field scalability to lower start-up costs and reduce expensive
infrastructure redeployments. It allows customers to begin with a low drive and media count, adding
additional drive and media positions incrementally as data grows.
For remote monitoring and operation, the Scalar 100 introduces ADIC's new web-enabled management
option, provided by another user-installable module. This integrated web server gives remote users the
same level of management that they have from the library keypad, including drive and library firmware
downloads, pass/fail testing, and single-event operation.
Jonathan Otis, ADIC vice president of product management, commented "Scalar 100 libraries will break
new ground in web manageability for storage devices. Our goal in designing this platform was to rethink
every aspect of the library architecture in order to provide IT departments with a flexible solution to meet
changing storage requirements. From media to connectivity to management, we've worked hard to
redefine library storage."
The Scalar 100 will be available in Q1 2000. Street price for the unit is expected to start at under $20,000.
About ADIC
With more than 50,000 automated tape libraries installed and a suite of innovative software solutions and
Storage Area Networking (SAN) products, ADIC is a leading global provider in the growing market to
manage and protect information for computer networks. Marketed under ADIC and ADIC/GRAU brands
and the brands of OEM partners, including Dell, Exabyte and Unisys, automated tape libraries are
available with DLTtape, D2, half-inch, AIT, and 4mm tape technologies, and are supported by leading
backup and storage management software products for Windows NT, UNIX, and mainframe operating
systems. The Company's own storage management tools include AMASS(R), FileServ and CentraVision,
software products which provide users with shared access to network data. A pioneer in Storage Area
Networks, ADIC's Open SAN solutions combine open-system SAN hardware and software with
installation services and single-call support. Further product information is available via the Internet at
www.adic.com.
ADIC, FibreReady, StorNext, CentraVision and AMASS are trademarks of Advanced Digital Information
Corporation. All other product, trademark, company, or service names mentioned herein are the property
of their respective owners. |
