SONY UNVEILS ITS FIRST 2U-SLIM RACK-MOUNTABLE AIT LIBRARY
Slim and Rack-mountable Design Offers High Storage Density and Capacity
SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 17, 2001 - Sony Electronics today introduced the first Sony Advanced Intelligent Tape ™ (AIT) library with a compact and innovative two-rack-units-slim, rack-mountable design.
The Sony StorStation ™ AIT library (model LIB-162) system houses one AIT-2 drive (expandable up to two) and 16 cartridge slots in a unique carousel design that provides storage capacity of up to
2.08 TB and data transfer rates of up to 112 GB per hour (both with average 2.6:1 compression).
Leveraging the 3.5-inch AIT drive form-factor, the LIB-162 occupies just two-rack units in a rack-mountable configuration for easy installation achieving maximum rack space density for data centers and space-restricted environments.
The new library is scalable from one to two AIT-2 drives to accommodate growing storage needs, allowing users to increase capacities by simply hot-plugging next generation, higher capacity drive models into the library.
"The slim-line design of the new AIT library has industry-leading storage density and future scalability," said Steve Baker, vice president of tape storage solutions for Sony Electronics' Core Technology Solutions Company. "At just 2U high, we have designed the new AIT library to meet our IT customers' storage capacity and space constraints."
"In today's storage-intensive business environment, companies are always looking for flexible, reliable solutions that pack large capacity and speed in a small configuration to accommodate their space limitations," said Fara Yale, chief analyst, Computer Storage Service, Gartner Dataquest. "A product that can provide the redundancy of a dual-drive solution at an affordable price point would be attractive and competitive when users are shopping for an automated storage solution."
The Sony AIT library LIB-162 incorporates a standard barcode reader for virtually instant media verification and inventory, and a web-based remote monitoring system for simplified management.
Pricing, Availability and Service
The LIB-162 system, which incorporates one AIT-2 tape drive and comes with a complimentary version of NovaStor's TapeCopy ™ v2.0 Library Edition tape conversion and duplication software, will be available this month at an estimated price of under $9,000. Additional accessories, such as a second
AIT-2 drive and an eight-pack of 50 GB Sony AIT-2 data cartridges, will be sold separately. The new library will be available through commercial distributors, value-added resellers (VARs) and system integrators beginning this month. Sony currently offers a three-year limited warranty and optional onsite service support and enhancement programs with all of its branded storage solutions.
About Sony's AIT Library Line-Up
Sony AIT Library LIB-152: The Sony AIT library LIB-152 system houses either one AIT-1 or AIT-2 drive (expandable up to two drives) and 15 cartridge slots (one removable magazine with 15 slots) to meet the needs of entry-level automation backup environments. It also provides a hefty storage capacity from up to 1.4 TB to up to 1.95 TB, and data transfer rates from up to 74.9 GB per hour to up to 112 GB per hour (all with average 2.6:1 compression) at current prices of about $6,000 and $8,000, respectively.
Sony AIT Library LIB-304: The Sony AIT library LIB-304 system houses two AIT-2 drives (expandable up to four) and 30 cartridge slots (one fixed magazine with 10 slots and two removable magazines with 10 slots each). The library's total storage capacity of up to 3.9 TB and data transfer rate of up to 224.6 GB per hour (both with average 2.6:1 compression) are designed to meet data-intensive back-up and archive requirements for under $17,000.
* Estimated U.S. retail selling prices. Actual prices may vary.
** Sony, StorStation and Advanced Intellingent Tape are trademark of Sony Corporation.
Based in San Jose, Calif., the Storage Solutions Division of Sony Electronics' Core Technology Solutions Company markets storage solutions through OEM, commercial and industrial distributors, retailers and resellers. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2001, Sony Electronics had record sales approaching $14 billion For additional information about Sony storage products, call (800) 352-7669 or visit Sony's world wide web site at http://www.sony.com/news or at http://www.storagebysony.com.
