RAID Media provides portable storage.

Press Release Summary:



RAID eXchangeable TeraPack® matches tape drive's form factor and stores data to Serial ATA disks. Stand-alone external RXT disk brings portable RAID for desktop backup and archival operations to all-sized organizations. Server-ready RXT technology plugs into servers' 5.25 in. drive bays. Rackmount RXT arrays are designed to data center specifications. Mounted in sealed enclosure, units store nearly 1 terabyte of data while providing data protection and disaster recovery.



Original Press Release:



Spectra Logic Invents First Portable Raid Media for Storage



New Storage Technology Combines Tape's Portability, Disk's Reliability and Speed

NEW YORK, STORAGE DECISIONS 2004, April 26, 2004-Spectra Logic's RAID eXchangeable TeraPack® (RXT(TM)) portable disk technology expands the conventional drive-and-tape model of removable backup to include high-capacity RAID. The RXT docking station matches a tape drive's form factor and stores data to Serial ATA (SATA) disks sealed in a rugged enclosure. With RXT technology, users can now combine the reliability and performance of RAID disk but with the scalability and portability of tape.

"Over the past year or so we have heard a great deal about the advantages of disk-based backup. However, we all know that tape is still required for off-site storage," said Steve Duplessie, founder/senior analyst at the Enterprise Storage Group. "Spectra Logic has found a way to leverage the best of both worlds and integrate a solution for IT that does not disrupt fragile backup processes."

Spectra® RXT storage technology addresses every size organization, from small to enterprise, and works transparently with standard backup, archive and storage management applications. Stand-alone external RXT disk brings cost effective portable RAID for desktop backup and archival operations to all-sized organizations. Server-ready RXT technology simply plug into servers' standard 5.25-inch drive bays. The rack mount RXT arrays are designed to data center specifications. All these RXT implementations guarantee media portability as well as high-performance, flexible data protection and disaster recovery for any storage environment.

"Spectra Logic has developed a unique and innovative approach to provide the first truly removable disk library," states Robert Abraham, president of Freeman Reports. "The RXT concept is a clever implementation that optimizes the synergy between disk and tape in the backup process."

Adding RXT technology to the automated T950 library requires only minutes and can be done by the customer, and means that portable RAID can now be incorporated without costly and bulky external disk array cabinets that take up additional floor space. With RXT RAID, the drive and media can be treated as another removable storage medium and expanded to any capacity supported by the T950-up to 600 terabytes. With this solution, RXT technology moves beyond just tape emulation and disk caching and provides true automated removable disk and tape, leveraging both technologies-integrating them in one box, from one vendor.

"Our history of innovation in data storage technology continues with RXT systems and brings true value to our customers," states Nathan Thompson, CEO of Spectra Logic Corporation. "RXT stand-alone products introduce disk storage into small and medium sized businesses; RXT technology in our enterprise Spectra T950 provides a unique capability for truly integrated disk and tape automation unmatched in the industry."

RXT RAID provides the same scalability, near-online and off-line storage capabilities of tape media but with much faster back-up and restore performance. It offers a higher level of reliability and data integrity through the use of RAID technology and highly reliable and robust SATA disk drives. RXT media is available in several capacities, using twelve 2.5-inch SATA disks designed for mobile computing, or two 3.5-inch disks designed for server applications. These drives are mounted in a rugged, sealed enclosure and store nearly one terabyte of data.

Pricing and Availability
List pricing for server-ready RXT configurations begin at $3,000. List pricing for automation-ready RXT drives for use with the T950 list for about $9,500. 800 GB capacity RXT media lists for around $2,000. An RXT-configured Spectra T950 library has approximately 600 terabytes of capacity. All RXT technology configurations will be available this fall.

About Spectra Logic Corporation
Spectra Logic Corporation, now in its 25th year, is a leading designer and manufacturer of data storage products that protect mission-critical data through backup/archival and HSM operations for companies worldwide. Spectra Logic's products make it easy for organizations to protect, store and manage rapidly growing data by offering libraries with capacities ranging from 60 gigabytes to hundreds of terabytes. Spectra Logic was the first vendor to automate Sony AIT and introduce all-native Fibre Channel and iSCSI in a tape library. Further, Spectra Logic invented the TeraPack® media management system that helps users track media in and outside the data center using bar-coded magazines. The company offers a complete suite of support options, including worldwide on-site support, Assisted Self Maintenance, and Auto Support, which proactively sends notification of library status. Today, the company has more than 15,000 tape libraries installed worldwide with customers that include ALLTEL, NASA and Sprint. Spectra Logic's storage offerings are available through a global network of resellers and OEMs. For more information, contact Spectra Logic by phone at (800) 833-1132, or visit the company's Web site at www.SpectraLogic.com.

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