Exabyte rolls out new VXA tape drive

BANGALORE: Exabyte Corporation has introduced its second- generation VXA tape drive. The VXA-2 is claimed to increase the capacity and performance available to tape users who seek an alternative to DDS technology at similar pricing for drives and media. This was announced through a media release.

The release also said that VXA-2 delivers full read and write compatibility with VXA-1, protecting the investment of users who have already chosen VXA technology. Shipments to select channel and OEM customers began this month, and general availability to all customers is expected by September this year.






The VXA-2 drive can record 160 GB to a single cartridge at a data transfer rate of 12 MB/sec (at an average 2:1 data compression ratio). VXA-2 delivers at least twice the data rate and four times the storage capacity of DDS-4, and is competitively priced at $999 (MSRP) for an internal unit. Three interface options will be available including Ultra2 Wide SCSI, IDE/ATAPI, and Fire Wire, providing support for a wide range of computing platforms and operating systems.





VXA-2 is positioned to replace DDS technology for users who are outgrowing the limited capacity and performance of DDS tape drives. The maximum capacity of a DDS-4 drive is only 40GB (with data compression), and is inadequate to meet the backup requirements of most servers and workstations shipping today. DDS manufacturers discontinued development of new products beyond the current generation DDS-4, leaving millions of installed base users facing growing capacity and performance needs without a compatible solution priced below $1,000.





"Exabyte's VXA tape technology offers excellent value and great performance," said Robert Amatruda, Research Manager at IDC. "VXA is a compelling alternative to DDS tape technology with two generations selling below $1,000."





Commenting on the competitive pricing of the drives and tape cartridges, Tom Ward, President and CEO of Exabyte, stated: "Historically, users have looked to DDS for drives that deliver performance and reliability at the right price. And, they have always rejected the option to purchase more expensive tape drives. But VXA-2, just like DDS-4, is priced below $1,000, and VXA media pricing is also very affordable. VXA-2 is the only drive in the market with the ideal combination of value, performance and reliability to replace DDS."





Four cartridge capacities are available for VXA-2, giving users a range of options to match their storage needs and manage their costs of ownership. Compressed capacities of 40GB, 80GB, and 120GB are achieved with the sameV6, V10, and V17 VXA tapeÔ brand cartridges available for use with the VXA-1 today.





Exabyte recently published its roadmap for VXA technology, which reveals the next two generations beyond VXA-2. The third generation VXA-3, already in development, will deliver cartridge capacity of 320 GB at a data transfer rate of 16 MB/sec (with data compression). The compressed capacity and transfer rate for VXA-4 will be 640 GB and 32 MB/sec. Introductory pricing for VXA-3 and VXA-4 will be below $1,000, keeping VXA technology within the price range of DDS users through the end of this decade and into the next.