Next generation fibre channel drives boast of ultra high-speed throughput for optimized data reliability and integrity
PRO TECHnology today (May 13) announced availability of LTO 4 DFA fibre channel drives, which are now shipping in TLS, RLS and XLS libraries. The company's channel partner Qualstar, a world leader in automated tape storage solutions, was the first library manufacturer to ship this widely anticipated new technology. The next generation drives offer optimum throughput in backup/restore operations with a native capacity of 800 gigabytes per tape with typical compression techniques yielding 1.6 terabytes per cartridge. The data transfer rate is 120 megabytes per second without compression, and 240 megabytes per second with compression enabled.
The expanded capability of the variable data rate feature in the new drives eases the impact of such high speeds on current systems. LTO 4 drives will continue to stream down to 30 megabytes per second, the same rate that LTO 3 achieved. This makes it feasible to upgrade more legacy installations without incurring the problems caused by low data rates. LTO 4 is backward read and write compatible with LTO 3, and is read compatible with LTO 2 but does not read LTO 1. The drive performance matches the media, so read and write speeds using legacy tapes match the legacy drive.
"LTO (Linear Tape Open) technology is a result of a multi-million dollar collaboration among three companies including HP, Certrance and IBM, which has led to high compatibility across vendors and versions not to mention unprecedented competition among manufacturers. This has meant the best technologies and quality at the best prices for customers. The latest offering, the LTO 4 has been enhanced by IBM to address the impact of mega-speed in the systems and incorporates encryption, further raising the standards for data integrity and reliability," said Imran Raoof, Manager of Storage Division, PRO TECHnology. "We are proud of our strategic partnership with Qualstar, which again has brought the latest innovation to the Middle East market."
All LTO-4 drives ship with the encryption feature enabled within the firmware. In order to encrypt a tape, the software package must send a special command and a key. When reading the data from that tape, the same key used when writing must be sent to unlock the data during the read. Without the key, the data is not retrievable. The software vendors are currently updating their packages to handle encryption and the keys, and functionality will certainly continue to improve over the coming months.
Headquartered in California, USA, Qualstar has provided top-of-the-line automated tape solutions essential for backup, archival storage, data protection and storage management. Its TLS, RLS and XLS series libraries are renowned across the globe for quality and reliability and have been used by leading educational, research and government institutions among others. For more information on its varied solutions, visit the company's web site www.qualstar.com.
PRO TECHnology is able to offer comprehensive IT solutions with its strategic alliances with major manufacturers such as Maximum Throughput, Freecom Technologies, Storageflex, Qualstar, Canto, Nexsan, Dicota. Lacie, Small Tree, Mobility Electronics, Wacom and Be.Ez. Its team of highly qualified pre- and post-sales consultants and engineers and well-equipped service centres across the country ensure that customers can readily avail of assistance.
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About PRO TECHnology
PRO TECHnology delivers world class IT Solutions and services to assist clients manage their business effectively. PRO TECHnology is continuously striving to be the leading Information Technology solutions provider in the region that paves the way to new standards of IT products and technologies.
Established in 1998, PRO TECHnology is headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and has regional presence in Jordan, Sudan, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Libya. PRO TECHnology's portfolio of world-class brands includes Apple, HP, IBM, Dicota, Qualstar, Nexsan, Storageflex, Symantec/Veritas, Lacie and Canto. We have a team of highly qualified storage and networking professionals that has undertaken major IT projects and provided total solutions to the international and local clientele.
PRO TECHnology has four independent divisions that provide unique products and solutions to respective industry segments: Enterprise Solutions Division (Storage/ Back-up & Security), Business Division, Distribution Division and Retail Division.
For more information, please contact:
CommuniGate Middle East
PO Box 66861, Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 4 3988134
Fax: +971 4 3988137
Email: info@communigateme.com
Website: www.communigateme.com
© Press Release 2007
