sunflash-Distributed to mailing list sunflash@suntri sunflash-Send requests and problem reports to owner-sunflash@suntri.east.sun.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash SMCC INTRODUCES HIGH PERFORMANCE 4MM TAPE SOLUTION SunFLASH Vol 52 #16 April 1993 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ************************************************************************ * * * o New Sun 4mm tape drive is over 80% faster than Sun's * * current 8mm tape drive solution * * * * o Built-in data compression increases the native capacity * * on a single piece of media by 2 to 4 times * * * * o At 60% of the price of 8-mm tape and with a 3.5-in. form * * factor, this device is an attractive alternative to 1/4 inch * * and 8mm tape technology * * * * o With an MTBF of 80,000 hours the 5-GB 4mm tape drive is * * the most reliable tape drive Sun sells * * * ************************************************************************ Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation (SMCC) introduces the 5-GB 4mm Tape Desktop Backup Pack, a high performance 4mm tape drive packaged in Sun's (TM) small, rugged Desktop Storage Pack. With a data transfer rate over 80% faster than Sun's 5-GB 8mm tape drive, customers can backup over 25 GB in a single 8 hour shift. Sun's 5-GB 4mm tape drive has built-in data compression which automatically and transparently compresses data sent by the host system to the device. In native or non-compressed mode, this drive can store up to 2 GB on a standard 90 meter 4mm tape and has a data transfer rate of 366 KB per second, twice as fast as most 4mm drives available in the market. With data compression, customers can get 2 to 4 times the native capacity on a single piece of 4mm media. Typical user data compresses at a ratio of 2.5:1, the data transfer rate of the drive scales with the compression ratio. With Sun's 5-GB 4mm tape drive, customers can get the same capacity as the 5-GB 8mm tape drive and much faster throughput for roughly half the price. The 3.5-in. form factor allows this drive to be packaged in the same compact subsystem as Sun's smallest disk drives, freeing up needed deskspace. A new Fileserver Option Pack with the 5-GB 4mm Tape Desktop Backup Pack is also being announced to make it easy for customers to get the mass storage expansion they need to turn any SPARCstation (TM) system into a powerful network file server. Sun's 5-GB 4mm tape drive has been fully qualified and tested by Sun engineers for optimum performance and reliability when used with Sun SPARCstation and SPARCserver (TM) systems. Sun has verfied the 80,000 hour MTBF rating of this device so customers can rest assured they are getting the reliability they expect. Packaged in the Desktop Storage Pack, this drive is certified by all regulatory agencies to meet the most demanding environmental specifications. Priced to compete with any third party 4mm tape solution, customers can not find a better value for tape storage in the market. FEATURES AND BENEFITS Features: Benefits: --------- --------- o Over 80% faster than Sun's 8mm tape o Backup data in roughly half the time o Built-in data compression o Store 2-4 times the data on a single piece of media, swap tape less often and use less media o 60% price of Sun's 8mm tape o Economical alternative for unattended backup operations o 3.5-in. form factor o Packaging flexibility, small desktop enclosure frees valuable deskspace o 80,000 hours MTBF o Customers do not have to worry about the reliability of their backup system HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE CONSIDERATIONS ------------------------------------ The 5-GB 4mm Tape Desktop Backup Pack requires Solaris (R) 2.1 or later operating environment. When using Solaris 2.1 this drive defaults to operate using data compression only. The next release of Solaris will allow the drive to be operated in either native (non-compressed) or compressed mode. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS --------------------- Q. On what systems is the 5-GB 4mm Desktop Backup Pack supported? A. The 5-GB 4mm Desktop Backup Pack is supported on the following systems: SPARCstation ELC (TM), SPARCstation IPC (TM), SPARCclassic (TM), SPARCstation LX (TM), SPARCstation IPX (TM), SPARCstation 2, and SPARCstation 10 systems. Q. When will the 5-GB 4mm tape be supported on high-end servers? A. The 5-GB 4mm Desktop Backup Pack will be supported on the SPARCserver 600MP Series and the SPARCcenter (TM) 2000 system by the end of May 1993. Q. Will an internal version of the drive be available in the future? A. Yes. An internal version of the drive will be available for the SPARCcenter 2000 system in late Q1 fiscal year 1994. Q. Will Sun continue to support 1/4 inch and 8mm tape? A. Yes. Sun will continue to sell both existing 1/4 inch and 8mm tape drive solutions as long as there is significant customer demand. Q. Why is Sun introducing another tape technology? A. 4mm tape is quickly gaining popularity in the industry given its low cost and high reliability. Recent improvements in 4mm tape performance and capacity make this an attractive solution for the most demanding backup applications. With shipments of 4mm tape drives now exceeding those of 8mm, it is clear customers are demanding 4mm tape. Q. What are the interchange standards for 4mm tape? A. Most 4mm tape drives sold today conform with the Digital Data Storage (DDS) manufacturers group standards. These standards specify formatting for drives without data compression (DDS), those with data compression (DDS-DC) as well as for different media lengths. Strict interchange testing is required by all drives conforming to DDS and DDS-DC specifications which are approved by both ANSI and ECMA standards organizations. Q. Where do I buy 4mm media? A. 4mm media will be available from SunExpress by the end of April. 4mm media is widely available from most retail computer products stores where other computer grade media is sold. Sun will ship a single piece of media along with a cleaning kit with each drive. Q. How expensive is 4mm media? A. Computer grade 4mm media cost roughly the same as computer grade 8mm media. Sun recommends that only computer grade media be used in this drive to ensure optimal ongoing reliability. Q. How often do these drives require cleaning? A. Sun recommends the drive is cleaned at least once after every 30 hours of actual tape operation. U.S. PRICING AND ORDERING INFORMATION ------------------------------------- THESE PRODUCTS APPEAR IN BOTH THE END USER AND RESELLER PRICE LIST Order List Disc Same Day Description Number Price Cat Service ============================================================================ 5-GB 4mm Tape Desktop Backup Pack X822A $2,500 B $35 File Server Option Pack X2033A $5,500 B $80 1.05-GB Fast SCSI-2 Desktop Disk Pack, 5-GB 4mm Tape Desktop Backup Pack, 644-Mbyte Desktop SunCD Pack Notes: These x-options require Solaris 2.1 or later releases. The X822A is supported on all currently shipping Sun systems. The X2033A is supported only on currently shipping desktop systems: SPARCstation ELC, SPARCstation IPC, SPARCclassic, SPARCstation LX, SPARCstation IPX, SPARCstation 2, and SPARCstation 10 systems AVAILABILITY ------------ The 5-GB 4mm Tape Desktop Backup Pack can be booked now for shipment beginning April 26. (c) 1993 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo, Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation, Solaris, ELC, IPC, LX, and IPX are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. All SPARC trademarks, including the SCD Compliant Logo, are trademarks or registered trademarks of SPARC Internatinal, Inc. SPARCstation, SPARCserver and SPARCcenter are licensed exclusively to Sun Microsystems, Inc. Products bearing SPARC trademarks are based upon an architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. All other product or service names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ For information send mail to info-sunflash@Sun.COM. Subscription requests should be sent to sunflash-request@Sun.COM. Archives are on solar.nova.edu, ftp.uu.net, sunsite.unc.edu, src.doc.ic.ac.uk and ftp.adelaide.edu.au All prices, availability, and other statements relating to Sun or third party products are valid in the U.S. only. Please contact your local Sales Representative for details of pricing and product availability in your region. Descriptions of, or references to products or publications within SunFlash does not imply an endorsement of that product or publication by Sun Microsystems. John McLaughlin, SunFlash editor, flash@Sun.COM. +1 305 351 4909