New Tape Drives increase storage options

Storage solutions and service provider StorageTek has announced the release of a high-capacity tape-drive, aimed at mid-range users. StorageTek has begun shipping HP's new LTO Ultrium Generation 2 tape drives for StorageTek L180 and L700 tapelibraries.

The LTO-2 joins StorageTek's array of tape drives, which StorageTek claims is the industry's widest selection of tape-drives in the mid and high range environment. Delivering 400GB capacity per cartridge and transfer speeds of up to 70MB/sec compressed, LTO-2 tape drives the drives are fully read and write compatible with the first generation of LTO Ultrium tape drives. This provides customers with a tool to protect their investments in earlier LTO technology and an easy transition to the new tape drive.

The HP LTO-2 drives are suitable for both mid and high-range applications, complementing the existing T9940 and T9840 tape drives. HP, StorageTek and Sun each firmly believe that the LTO-2 will suit the unique needs of mid and high-range users across a broad range of environments, and will offer significant advances over previous drives.

Adam Thew the director for Nearline OEM Business, HP Network Storage Solutions, said: "Enterprise customers will benefit from these advancements over Generation 1 Ultrium, especially where the backup window is shrinking. Moreover, the adaptive tape speed that is unique to HP's Generation 2 Ultrium drives ensures they will meet the needs of any storage environment."

Priced at $28,600 in the StorageTek L180 and L700 libraries, the HP LTOUltrium Generation 2 Ultra 3 SCSI tape drive is available immediately. LTOGeneration 2 Fibre Channel drives should be available for the L180, L700and L5500 libraries in the second quarter of 2003, priced at $36,500.

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