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Spectra Logic Delivers New Spectra 20K AIT Tape Library

Spectra Logic Corporation, an industry leading manufacturer of high-performance tape libraries for data protection and backup, has announced worldwide shipment of the Spectra 20K library, the latest in Spectra Logic's family of AIT tape libraries. The library delivers enhanced storage density at an affordable price, which enables customers to easily absorb explosive data growth in an era of flat IT budgets.

The Spectra 20K library improves upon Spectra Logic's already high storage density library design by offering 67 percent more capacity. The library manages up to eight tape drives, 200 AIT tape cartridges and stores up to 20 terabytes (TB) of uncompressed data (52 TB compressed) in 14u of rack space. The Spectra 20K library delivers three times the storage density than competing libraries in its class, giving customers superior return on investment while maintaining rich, enterprise features.

"Library users are demanding high storage density at affordable price points. By combining the effective use of space and leading edge enterprise features, Spectra Logic's new 20K library is responding to those needs," said Robert C. Abraham, principal analyst and president of Freeman Reports. "Furthermore, Spectra Logic's new product rollout expands their market opportunity to the high end of open systems."

The Spectra 20K library also introduces Spectra Logic's second-generation Gigabit Ethernet quad interface processor (G2 E-QIP) with dual port connectivity. The dual port G2 E-QIP ensures added connectivity, redundancy and significant performance increase of up to 60 MB per second; which approaches Fibre Channel speeds while leveraging existing LAN architectures. The G2 E-QIP can also improve redundancy and space efficiency in Spectra Logic's other AIT tape libraries.

"Today's storage administrators are challenged to operate on restricted budgets while assuring business continuity in the forefront. The criticality of assured data protection has remained steady in our current economy," said Sharon Isaacson, Spectra Logic's product manager for the Spectra 20K library. "Low to mid level enterprise customers who require the combination of high storage density, performance and reliability at the right price can now find it in our Spectra 20K library with Gigabit Ethernet."

The Spectra 20K library is also equipped with a virtualization feature called Shared Library Services (SLS). The virtual library operating system allows the library to be partitioned from two to four logical libraries. SLS provides support for heterogeneous platforms, backup applications, tape drives (includes any mix of 8mm technology), media and multiple interface technologies -- all within the same library. Backup of multiple servers running different operating environments can be consolidated onto a single, scalable library resource, yielding investment protection, operational savings and streamlined administration that substantially reduce the total cost of ownership.

Pricing and Availability

The Spectra 20K tape library ranges in price from $40,000-114,000. Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) Computer Associates, Legato and Veritas have approved the Spectra 20K library for system compatibility.

About Spectra Logic Corporation

Spectra Logic Corporation is a leading manufacturer of high-performance AIT tape libraries providing mission-critical data protection for companies worldwide. Spectra Logic's products enhance organizations' abilities to protect, store, and manage rapidly growing data centers by offering libraries with capacities ranging from 60 gigabytes to hundreds of terabytes. In addition to providing innovative data storage automation, Spectra Logic offers advanced interface technologies to address emerging storage network systems such as Storage Area Networks (SANs), Network Attached Storage (NAS) architectures and IP Storage. Spectra Logic's storage offerings are available through a global network of resellers and OEMs. For more information, contact Spectra Logic by phone at 800-833-1132, or visit the company's Web site at www.spectralogic.com.