IBM Catches Sun On Tape Storage Solution

September 25, 2006: IBM has launched a new virtual tape drive management system competing with technology released by Sun Microsystems

The system provides a mainframe virtual-tape offering automated replication and improved tape processing. IBM says it is a step towards to the ‘next generation’ of tape virtualization solutions.

The TS77700 follows IBM’s TotalStorage Virtual Tape Server (VTS) with support for up to 128 3490E virtual tape drives. With an increased storage capacity to its predecessor as well as faster processing, the system also offers improved disaster recovery fun.

The release adds to IBM’s growing portfolio of Grid storage solutions increasing becoming available to assist businesses in storing and later accessing massive amounts of data.

IBM rival, Sun Microsystems, has recently built on its extensive tape portfolio through it’s purchase of StorageTek in 2005 as well as Quantum which had already swallowed up Advanced Digital Information Corporation. Earlier this year, Sun released its Sun StorageTek Virtual Storage Manager System also offering a mainframe tape drive with double the storage capacity of its own predecessor.

The new release comes just days after IBM rolled out it System Storage TS1120, an accessible tape drive for small, medium and large size businesses alike.

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