sunflash-Distributed to mailing list sun/NC/north-carolina sunflash-Send requests, problems to owner-sunflash@suntri.east.sun.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash New 20-GB 4MM Tape Auto Loader Desktop Storage Module SunFLASH Vol 62 #15 February 1994 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 62.15 New 20-GB 4MM Tape Auto Loader Desktop Storage Module (DeskTop Version) o External Desktop Storage Module version of the new 4mm Tape Auto Loader announced for data center systems in Dec. 1993 o Sun 4mm Auto Loader provides up to 20 GB of unattended backup storage in the space required for Sun's 5-GB 8mm tape o Provides four times the storage capacity previously offered with 4mm and 8mm Tape Backup Drives o A data transfer rate almost double that of Sun's current 8mm tape drive make this the fastest backup solution offered by Sun (220 lines) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The new 20-GB 4mm Tape Auto Loader provides the highest capacity and highest performance backup solution ever offered by Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation (SMCC). This new high capacity backup solution is now available externally as a 20-GB 4mm Tape Auto Loader Desktop Storage Module. The new auto loader incorporates the same highly reliable 5-GB 4mm tape drive introduced in April 1993. 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 eight hour shift. Sun's 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, or 8 GB per stacker cartridge. The drive also features a data transfer rate of 366 KB/sec., 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 a compression ratio of 2.5:1 the new auto stacker will provide 20 GB of storage. With Sun's 20-GB 4mm auto loader, customers can get four times the capacity as with the 5-GB 8mm tape drive and much faster throughput. The 5.25-inch form factor allows this auto loader to be packaged in the same enclosures used for Sun's 8mm tape drives. Sun's 20-GB 4mm tape auto loader Desktop Storage Module has been fully qualified and tested by Sun engineers for optimum performance and reliability. Sun has verified the 80,000 hour MTBF rating of the drive and the greater than 50,000 cartridge mean insertions between failure specification so customers can rest assured they are getting the reliability they expect. This device is certified by all regulatory agencies to meet the most demanding environmental specifications. Priced to compete with any third party 4mm stacker solutions, 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 80,000 hours MTBF and greater o Customers do not have to worry about than 50,000 cartridge insertions the reliability of their backup system HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE CONSIDERATIONS ------------------------------------ The 20-GB 4mm Tape Auto Loader Desktop Storage Module requires Solaris(R) 2.1 operating environment or later. On Solaris 2.1, the device can only write in compressed mode, but will read both compressed and uncompressed data. The 20-GB 4mm Tape Auto Loader Desktop Storage Module is supported on the following systems SPARCclassic(TM) system/SPARCclassic server SPARCstation(TM) ELC(TM) system SPARCstation LX(TM) system SPARCstation IPC(TM) system SPARCstation IPX(TM) system SPARCstation 2 system SPARCstation 10 system/SPARCserver 10 server SPARCserver(TM) 1000 system As a reminder the 20-GB 4mm Tape Auto Loader is also supported as an internal device on the SPARCserver 1000 (expansion rack only) and the SPARCcenter(TM) 2000 (internal and expansion rack) systems. AVAILABILITY ------------ The 20-GB 4mm Tape Auto Loader can be ordered now and will be shipping in volume in February 1994. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS --------------------- Q. On what systems is the 20-GB 4mm Tape Auto Loader Desktop Storage Module supported? A. The 20-GB 4mm Tape Auto Loader Desktop Storage Module is supported on most SPARCstation and SPARCserver systems as listed above. It is NOT supported on the SPARCstation SLC, the SPARCserver 1 and 1+, the SPARCsystem 470, 490, 630, 670 and 690, the SPARCcluster(TM) 1 and the SPARCcenter 2000 systems. Q. Why isn't the 20-GB 4mm Tape Auto Loader Desktop Storage Module supported on the SPARCcenter 2000 system? A. Up to three 20-GB 4mm Tape Auto Loader drives (X825A) can be installed internally in the SPARCcenter 2000 systems and up to eight drives can be installed in the expansion rack for a combined backup capacity of up to 220 GB. Q. Can a customer mix the new Auto Loader in systems with 8mm tape drives, CD-ROM drives and hard drives ? A. Yes. There are no technical issues and since this device is now available as an x-option and as an internal option, customers are free to mix them in system or expansion cabinets, and with desktop systems. However, for performance reasons, it is recommended that no more than 2 Auto Loaders (or other tape drives) be attached to any one SCSI bus that is also supporting disk drives. 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. 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. Computer grade 4mm media is available from SunExpress and widely available from most retail computer products stores where other computer grade media is sold. Unfortunately, due to the difference of quality between DDS media, it is strongly recommended to only buy media from SunExpress, as it has been officially tested and approved by Sun. Sun ships a magazine with one tape with each Desktop Module. 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 once after every 30 hours of actual tape operation. Sun ships a cleaning kit with each Auto Loader. U.S. PRICING AND ORDERING INFORMATION ------------------------------------- THIS PRODUCT APPEARS IN BOTH THE END USER AND RESELLER PRICE LIST Order List Disc SunSpectrum Description Number Price Cat Silver Price ================================================================================ 20-GB 4mm Auto Loader Desktop Storage Module* X827A $5,100 A N/C * Requires Solaris 2.3 or later (c) 1993 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo, Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation, SunExpress, Solaris, ELC, IPC, 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 International, Inc. SPARCclassic, SPARCstation SPARCserver, SPARCcenter, and SPARCcluste are licensed exclusively to Sun Microsystems, Inc. Products bearing SPARC trademarks are based upon an architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. 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