ATTO XstreamCORE 8100T Intelligent Bridge - FAQ's
Q: What is an XstreamCORE 8100T intelligent
bridge?
A: XstreamCORE 8100T is a purpose-built and
accelerated intelligent bridging device that
extends simple, scalable, and shareable access
to SAS tape drives over an iSCSI Ethernet
Network.
Q: How many tape drives can I connect to the
8100T?
A: XstreamCORE 8100T is designed to
connect up to 4 SAS Tape drives (not
including media changers).
Q: What versions of LTO tape drives does the
bridge support?
A: SAS LTO 5 (or) later.
Q: Can the bridge support more than 4 tape
drives?
A: XstreamCORE 8100T is designed to
support up to 4 SAS tape drives per bridge.
To support additional tape drives we
recommend using either an additional 8100T
(or) the XstreamCORE ET 8200T.
Please note that use of SAS expanders is NOT
supported by the XstreamCORE 8100T
Q: What SAS connector does the bridge use?
A: The 8100T features a single x4 12Gb
miniSAS HD SFF 8644 External SAS
connector.
Q: What are the Ethernet network
requirements for the 8100T?
A: The bridge extends SAS tape storage
connectivity through two independent 10Gb
Ethernet links across an iSCSI SAN.
Please note that iSCSI is only accessible on
the 10Gb Ethernet data ports.
Q: What type of network interfacing is offered
today on the bridge?
A: We carry two different SKUs based on the
network connectivity requirements –
• XCET-8100-TS0 - Optical
• XCET-8100-TN0 – Copper RJ45.
Q: Are SFPs included with the XstreamCORE
8100T?
A: Yes, all XstreamCORE 8100T SKUs are
shipped with short range SFPs preinstalled.
Q: Are there any recommended Ethernet NICs
for use with the bridge?
A: ATTO FastFrame NICs were tested
for support and compatibility with the
XstreamCORE 8100T.
We highly recommend using the ATTO 360
Ethernet Tuning and Monitoring Software
to get the most out of your Ethernet
infrastructure.
Q: Can the Ethernet ports be on the same
subnet?
A: When using both Ethernet data ports on
the XstreamCORE 8100T each port must be
assigned to an independent subnet in order
to achieve full bandwidth. The XstreamCORE’s
Ethernet management port must also be
assigned to an independent subnet.
Please refer to the Product Installation and
Operations Manual for more information on
best practices.
Q: Does the bridge have a management port?
A: Yes, the bridge features a 1GbE RJ45
Management port for CLI over SSH and File
transfer over SFTP.
Please note that iSCSI is not supported
on the management port. SFTP firmware
updates are supported by the Ethernet
interface. Also note, that management
features are supported by both the data and
management ports on the XstreamCORE
8100T.
Q: How can I locate the device identification
number?
A: Device serial number and MAC address is
located at the bottom of the 8100T enclosure.
You may also locate the serial number and
UPC code on product packaging label.
If you are still unable to locate the serial
number, please contact the Tech Support
team.
Q: What is the maximum MTU size supported
by the Ethernet data ports?
A: It is recommended under all
configurations, to use 9000 MTU on both data
ports.
Please note that the switch and host MTU
sizes match that of the data ports on the
8100T
Q: How can I identify device status on the
bridge?
A: The rear side on the bridge features LEDs
to indicate device, link, and power statuses.
Please refer to the Product Installation
and Operations Manual for information on
how each of these LEDs respond to various
network and device events.
Q: How many initiators can login in to the
bridge?
A: XstreamCORE 8100T supports 4 iSCSI
logins at a time.
Q: How many iSCSI Sessions can the bridge
support?
A: For best performance, it is recommended
to have one iSCSI session per target device.
Q: Is there a recommended command size?
A: The recommended command size for
maximum performance is 1MB.
Q: What operating systems does the bridge
support?
A: All leading operating systems – Windows,
Linux, macOS and more (any OS with an iSCSI
Initiator).
Q: What backup software packages are
supported by the 8100T?
A: XstreamCORE 8100T is ISV agnostic and
was tested with leading backup software
packages such as Archiware, HedgeCanister,
YoYotta, Veeam, Veritas, and Commvault.
Q: Does the bridge support LTFS and SAS
Transport Layer Retries (TLRs)?
A: Yes, the bridge supports both LTFS and
SAS TLRs
Q: What is the average power consumption of
the bridge?
A: The maximum power consumption of the
bridge is under 30W.
Q: Does XstreamCORE offer disk support?
A: The 8100T does not support SAS/SATA
disks.
If you are interested in disk support today,
please refer to XstreamCORE ET 8200 and
XstreamCORE FC 7600.
Q: What is included in the product
packaging?
A: One XstreamCORE 8100T bridge (Either
Optical/Copper depending in the SKU), two
SFP modules preinstalled in the bridge, a
power adapter, a power cable, and a guide to
access getting started documentation.
Q: Is the bridge powered by a battery?
A: No, 8100T is a battery free design that
requires a 12V DC power supply. Device
warranty will be voided if alternate power
supplies are used.
Q: How can I setup and configure the bridge?
A: You can access the Quick Start manual on
the Getting Started Page for information on
how to easily setup and configure the 8100T.
Please refer to the Product Installation
and Operations Manual for additional
information.
Q: How can I ensure secure access to tape
drives connected to the bridge?
A: The 8100T supports iSCSI CHAP (Challenge
Handshake Authentication Protocol) and
ACLs (Access Control Lists) to ensure secured
logins and access.
Access Control Lists (ACLs) must be enabled
on a target basis to prevent initiators from
discovering a particular XstreamCORE target.
We highly recommended that LAN/
Management and storage traffic be separated
from each other; i.e. run storage traffic on
a separate network. Please refer to Product
Installation and Operations Manual on how
you can configure the bridge to limit target
visibility and control to specific initiators.
Q: How many tape drives can be accessed via
a single Ethernet data port?
A: When multiple tape devices are
expected to be used at the same time it is
recommended to map a single tape device
per iSCSI target. Automatic mapping mode
on XstreamCORE, if enabled, does this.
Evenly split access to multiple tape devices
across both data ports. For example, if
accessing two tapes across two iSCSI targets,
log into one iSCSI target using the portal on
data port 1 and the other using the portal
through data port 2.
Q: Can the 8100T power a tape drive?
A: No, the XstreamCORE 8100T standalone
device does not supply power to turn on a
tape drive(s).
Q: How can I reset the bridge?
A: The 8100T bridge features a ‘RESET’ push
button accessible through a pinhole, provided
at the rear end of the metal chassis. Upon
pressing the reset push button for greater
than 5 seconds, restores the 8100T to default
factory settings.
Q: Is there a recommended iSCSI initiator for
macOS?
A: ATTO XtendSAN iSCSI initiator is a gold
standard in macOS environments and
is highly recommended for use with the
XstreamCORE 8100T.
Q: Does ATTO provide SAS cabling with the
bridge?
A: For ease of compatibility, BackupWorks will include
SAS Cabling on your quote.
Q: What are the dimensions of the bridge?
A: The bridge is identical to, but slightly
longer than our ThunderLink enclosures.
• Dimensions: 4.0” W x 9.4” L x 1.2” H
(103.5mm x 240mm x 30.5mm)
• Weight: 2.05 lbs (with SFPs); 2.00 lbs (without SFPs)
Q: Is the bridge rack mountable?
A: Yes, you can easily mount the unit(s) using
ATTO FlexRack that accommodates up to 4
bridges in a 1U shelf.
Q: What are the terms and conditions of the
device warranty?
A: XstreamCORE 8100T ships with a standard
manufacturer’s warranty for three years.
Additional extended warranty programs can
be purchased separately.
Q: How can I reach you if I have any additional
questions?
A: Please call us at 866 801 2944 or email us at
orders@backupworks.com for a quote.