WeP to launch VXA tape drives

NEW DELHI: In a strategic move towards storage technology, Wipro e-peripherals has tied up with Exabyte to introduce VXA range of tape drives. US-based Exabyte has been in the storage technology for the last 18 years and is the company that introduced the 8mm technology. VXA is acclaimed to be a breakthrough in tape technology that offers reliability and interchangeability through overscan (OSO) and variable speed operations (VSO). OverScan operation covers more than 100 per cent of the recorded data without missing a single packet and VSO adjusts the tape speed to the speed of the host thus optimizing back up and restore functions. VXA provides 66GB at 6 MB compressed capacity and transfer rate.

Hence, pitching on reliability and speed of data retrieval features of the VXA products, Wipro is all set to gear the secondary storage market. A few years back Wipro had tied up with HP for the know-how of CD writers after which it entered the storage market. "Right now the storage market has huge potential for growth even in developing nations and we are set for. This is our first tie up with a company in the area of storage," said Ranbir Singh, GM, Wipro e-Peripherals. Other tie-ups for strategic positioning in the storage market include Network Appliances for NAS solutions and with Qualstar for their library that has a unique lead screw design.

Both the products VXA-1 drive and VXA tape come with a three-year warranty. These drives are now available through WeP distributors. The VXA-1 (33X66GB) internal drive costs Rs 53,000 while the VXA-1 (33X66GB) external is priced at Rs 73,000.

VXA has a firewire feature that is being used by companies like Apple and Compaq who are moving away from DDS tape storage. VXA has an interface for a firewire tape back up drive that prevents data loss, failed back-ups and head alignment issues. "No other tape technology employs OverScan and Variable Speed Technology and even discrete packet format (DPF). VXA is therefore immune to streaming issues like backhitching and head alignment," added Ranbir.