Qualstar Unveils XLS - Enterprise Tape Library Solution

Qualstar Corporation, an innovator in automated tape storage solutions, today unveiled its XLS Enterprise Tape Library System, one of the highest capacity libraries on the market today. The XLS Library System expands from 140 terabytes to more than 4 petabytes to enable corporate users to invest in as much capacity and data access power as they need for enterprise backup, archive and data security solutions and then seamlessly and easily scale up as their needs increase.

Like all its Simply Reliable libraries, XLS reaffirms Qualstar's design leadership since 1994 in automated tape systems. Qualstar's XLS is based on its new, patent-pending Compass Architecture(TM) that delivers very high storage densities exceeding 40 TB per square foot while reducing the wear and power consumption that are typical of less advanced designs. Compass Architecture enables fast access to data since the XLS robotics can access more than 2,800 tapes while moving an average of only 21 inches, horizontally.

Modularity and ease of expansion are hallmarks of the Compass Architecture design, which consists of two distinct modules that can be combined to build flexible, high density and cost-effective library systems. The LRM, Library Resource Module, is a self-contained, standalone tape library. The initial LRM models house up to 655 cartridges and 32 LTO(TM) (Ultrium(TM)) tape drives. Cartridge bays and drive bays can be mixed and matched to achieve the desired balance between storage capacity and data throughput to meet individual system requirements.

The second key part of the XLS system is the MEM, Memory Expansion Module. Two MEMs can be attached to a single LRM. Each MEM holds an additional 1,075 tapes, 430 TB (native) using LTO 3 technology, in just over 8 square feet of valuable IT floor space.

According to William Gervais, Qualstar president and CEO, "Our new XLS library system presents an unsurpassed choice for enterprise customers. Users can buy what they need to meet their storage needs today, and easily add MEMs and LRMs to create much larger systems as their requirements increase."

"Easy expansion and great flexibility means that XLS is the library system that can't be outgrown. The LRM and MEM building blocks can be assembled in various configurations starting at 355 tapes and easily expanding to more than 6,000 tapes. Seamless capacity expansion combined with support for up to 96 tape drives make XLS one of the most flexible, scalable storage designs ever introduced," Mr. Gervais added.

"Qualstar's entry into the enterprise library space is strategically sound and uncanny in its timing," says Robert Abraham of Freeman Reports. "Our most recent market analysis reports a revenue growth rate of 19% in 2005 for high-end LTO libraries and projects continued double-digit growth for several years. This new opportunity significantly expands the market reach of Qualstar's product offerings."

Managing large tape libraries is a significant challenge for administrators. The answer is X-Link(TM), the intelligent, single-view XLS management interface that provides powerful tools and comprehensive information to monitor and manage library operations around the clock, throughout the enterprise or across the globe. Identical X-Link access is delivered locally via the 15" color touch screen built into every LRM, and remotely via an intranet connection or the Internet. Authorizations, passwords and user group controls give administrators the security tools needed to organize, manage and customize individual user access to up to eight independent logical library partitions. With appropriate permissions, Qualstar Technical Support technicians can also remotely access an XLS via X-Link to review event logs and run diagnostics.