Quantum Super DLT Drive 320

Monday, May 05, 2003

This drive provides high throughputs for data backups Quantum has introduced its high-capacity super DLT tape drive that can store up to 320 GB data at 32 Mbps with compression, and 160 GB at 16 Mbps without compression. The tape drive supports backward read compatibility with DLT IV tape cartridges also. It uses high efficiency PRML (Partial Response Maximum Likelihood) channel, which creates more tracks on the tape and provides better transfer rates when writing on tapes. It has a Magneto-Resistive cluster head for higher data density. This tape drive comes with an UltraSCSI interface.

We tested the drive on an IBM e-Server 5000 running Windows 2000 Server with CA’s Brightstor as the backup software.

The software had no trouble identifying the drive. We used SDLT Tape-I media, which ships with the drive. We checked for the data transfer rate to do a backup, and the maximum throughput we got was 11 MBps. The maximum possible on the drive is actually 16 MBps for uncompressed data, but that also depends upon the maximum capabilities of the host it’s connected to. Overall, it’s a reliable and quick backup solution for organizations.

Snapshot Price :  Rs 2.5 lakh (for drive), Rs 5-6,000 (for SDLT 320 tape media) Key specs : 160/320 GB backup at 16/32 MBps Contact : Tandberg Data, Chennai Tel : 9841057376 E-mail : tandberg3@vsnl.net

Sanjay Majumder

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