Tape Backup & Archival
Automated tape handling has been prevalent in mainframe computer centers for over 25 years. The benefits of this technology are now widely available to users of low cost, high density cartridge tape formats.
Tape automation products are generally divided into two groups: autoloaders and libraries. Qualstar has been a pioneer in the tape backup and archival industry for over 20 years, producing solutions of the highest quality and engineering.
Tape Libraries vs. Tape Autoloaders
Autoloaders such as Qualstar's TerraLoader tend to hold 1 tape drive and a limited number of cartridges, typically 8 to 16, although some will house over 20. Autoloaders are limited in both capacity and throughput. They are primarily intended to support small department or single application backups.
Tape libraries invariably house 2 or more drives and from 10 to 100's of tapes. Libraries are designed for continuous, unattended operation and allow simultaneous reading and writing to multiple drives. Libraries also offer key features such as barcode readers to scan labels on cartridges, and an I/O Port for importing and exporting individual tapes under application control. Typically they come in either a free-standing, or stand alone tape library enclosure, or as a rack mount option.
Qualstar Innovations Improving
Reliability & Performance
- Inventory Sentry to allow the library to be opened to read handwritten cartridge labels without forcing the unit off-line for an unnecessary inventory of all cartridges
- Closed loop servo control of all motions for absolute position accuracy
- Leadscrew-driven mechanisms for highest reliability, instead of belts and pulleys
- Compass Architecture
- Support for industry ieading software and operating sysetems
Tape Library Interfaces
A Fibre Channel interface option provides SAN correction for library command and control. Direct Fiber Attach (DFA) tape drives are also now available in some formats. An iSCSI Option connects Qualstar libraries to IP SANS.
Current Tape Formats
Qualstar designs and manufactures libraries for the popular Sony AIT tape format and the Ultrium Linear Tape Open (LTO) tape formats, housing up to 96 tape drives and 6000 cartridges. There area over twenty-five models providing combinations of capacity and throughput to match any storage management requirement.
Eco-friendly Solutions
Qualstar's N2Power subsidiary has pioneered and patented hi-efficiency power technology for years. Storing data in our tape libraries uses much less power than disk, saving money by substantially reducing electrical and cooling requirements. See our case study Green vs Green for more.
Partnerships World-wide
Qualstar tape library families are sold worldwide through Systems Integrators and Value Added Resellers who share our commitment to quality and deliver complete storage solutions to their customers. Please contact us for additional information on our products or the name of an integrator that can help address your needs.
