Tape Library Solutions: Spectra Logic Solves Mid-Range Upgradability Challenges With New Transcaleable T-Series Tape Library Line

Spectra Logic, the innovator in data archive and backup, introduced an expansion to its T-Series tape library line recently. Spectra preserves data storage investments in its new midrange Spectra T200, T380 and T680 tape libraries by offering a seamless growth path from 1 to 24 tape drives, 50 to 680 slots of tape media, and up to 136TB of disk storage in a single rack mount unit.

Spectra's revolutionary TranScale architecture scales mid-range libraries seamlessly in the backup environment. All components of the T200, the T380 and the T680 that interface with the backup environment are inter-changeable. As data grows, customers continue to use their original tape drives, power supplies, robotics, TeraPacks, media and control modules in the expanded library frame. Host reconfiguration is eliminated because all configuration, world-wide name, and serial number information are precisely preserved. This innovative new method of scaling mid-range libraries takes less time and is less disruptive than traditional rack-mountable library expansions that have historically required complex, time-consuming modifications of a chassis and alignment in the field. Now, customers can have the confidence to complete an upgrade and return to backing up in half a day or less—guaranteed.

"Many customers have difficulty predicting their data storage requirements and often outgrow the capacity of their existing tape solutions," said Robert Amatruda, research director at IDC. "Spectra Logic's T380 tape library, with its TranScale feature, offers customers greater scalability while helping them protect their investments by transferring existing components to a larger library as their storage needs increase."

The new T-Series libraries offer Spectra Logic's signature high density and small footprint, which mitigate IT concerns such as limited rack space and power consumption. Spectra's integrated, native BlueScale Encryption and Key Management also ensures the high level of data security that users increasingly demand. As many customers desire to integrate disk into the backup environment, the new T-Series libraries incorporate Spectra's field proven RXT technology—offering the speed of disk, mobility of tape and protection of RAID.

Each new member of the T-series family of libraries comes available with Fibre Channel, SCSI or iSCSI interface options, and can be configured with LTO, SAIT, SDLT and/or integrated Spectra RXT portable disk.

"World-wide, there are literally tens of thousands of libraries installed that have reached the end of their economic service life. Spectra's mid-range T-Series libraries gives customers enormous financial benefits for replacement that include: floor space savings, management time reduction, maintenance cost savings, improved connectivity, reduction of power consumption, media cost saving and greater reliability—plus the ability to integrate a disk to disk to tape backup/archive system in the same platform," said Jeb Bolding, a product manager for Spectra Logic. "In our analysis, customers will often have a payback period of less than a year when replacing an obsolete library with our new T200, T380 or T680."

About the Spectra T-Series mid-range tape library line

The new mid-range T200, T380 and T680 offer user benefits:
Increase capacity from 50 to 680 tape slots in increments of 10
The highest storage density in the industry with up to 680 tape cartridges, up to 68 RXT disk packs, and up to 24 half-height LTO tape drives in a single NEMA format rack
TranScale to larger capacity systems with minimal downtime
Simple-to-use BlueScale universal management interface
Spectra BlueScale Encryption and Key Management tools
Spectra BlueScale EnergyAudit power consumption reporting tool
TeraPack-based media handling for greater operator efficiency
Shared Library Services Virtualization for shared connectivity to multiple hosts and applications
Option to configure an integrated VTL with RXT mobile disk for Disk to Disk to Tape backup and archive
World-wide on-site support
Assisted Self Maintenance (ASM) option to stock spare parts onsite for fast self-replacement
Compatibility with nearly all backup and archive applications ranging from Symantec BackupExec to Masstech Technology's Masstor

Pricing and availability

The Spectra T380 will be generally available for worldwide shipment in December 2007. List pricing for a single-drive, 50 slot T380 library begins at around $66,880. The T200 and T680 will begin shipping in Q1 and Q2 2008, respectively. The library family is available directly, through Spectra Logic's value-added reseller channel, or through distribution partners CDW and Bell Microproducts.

About Spectra Logic Corporation
Spectra Logic is the leading innovator in data archive and backup. We help customers all over the world protect data with power-efficient products that let users reduce risk, lower cost and save time. Spectra Logic's archive and backup products are designed specifically for secondary storage needs and are compatible with every major tape and disk format. Spectra products provide integrated library, encryption, and key management options through the intuitive BlueScale 10 interface. Spectra's energy efficient tape libraries and disk products use far less power than other comparable products. The company's tape, disk and encryption solutions are designed to evolve over time. Spectra products are an excellent investment for IT managers who project growth and plan for years into the future. Since Spectra Logic was founded in 1979, the company has introduced innovative, industry-leading products including: Archive and Backup Servers (nTier-2007); hardware-based, VTL encryption with compression (RXT-2006); hardware-based, library-enabled encryption with compression (BlueScale Encryption-2005); and integrated tape and disk in a single library (Spectra T950 with RXT-2004). Spectra Logic is changing the world of storage. Visit www.SpectraLogic.com for more information.

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