Features - Storage Innovations:

OKAPI INTRODUCES REMOTE TAPE APPLIANCES UNDER $1,000

Okapi Software, a recently launched iSCSI applications company bringing IP storage to the enterprise, has introduced its ipXtensionCord remote tape appliances that operate at 10/100 and GbE network speeds.

The 10/100 ipXtensionCord, available now, is priced at $995. The GbE model will be available before the end of the year and be priced at $2,495.

The ipXtensionCord appliances connect servers to SCSI tape drives and tape libraries over Ethernet to provide remote tape and tape library functionality. For the first time, iSCSI is being used to eliminate tape's SCSI distance limitations.

The ipXtensionCord appliances enable tape drive consolidation and remote backup/vaulting strategies that electronically transfer backup data between sites, as well as tape drive and tape library sharing among network-attached servers.

By eliminating the three- to 25-foot signaling limitations of SCSI cabling, distance between servers and tape drives and tape libraries is now irrelevant -- enhancing business continuity strategies and eliminating manual tape handling (packing, shipping, transporting, etc.). Backup strategies employing a tape drive at each of multiple server locations can be streamlined by using ipXtensionCords to consolidate tape drives into a single location.

The ipXtensionCords also allow multiple servers to share a single tape drive or tape library at a remote site, reducing or eliminating the management and scalability challenges of distributed backup processing and backup data storage.

"The ipXtensionCords provide storage managers with new tools for backup processing," said Bob Farkaly, Okapi's CMO. "Budget-conscious storage managers can now easily consolidate distributed tape drives into centralized tape libraries and can implement remote backup and vaulting strategies to electronically transfer backup data between sites, minimizing tape handling and eliminating tape transportation."

To make remote tape drives and libraries available to cost-conscious, storage-dependent businesses, Okapi's ipXtensionCord remote tape appliance using 10/100 Ethernet has a single-unit price of $995 -- providing compatibility with SLR, DAT, Mammoth-1, DLT, DDS and 3590-class SCSI tape drives with bandwidth requirements of 10 MB/sec or less.

The ipXtensionCord remote tape appliance using Gigabit Ethernet, single-unit priced at $2,495, is suitable when streaming data to multiple tape drives and for tape drives that deliver higher data transfer rates like AIT, Mammoth-2 and LTO. Both 10/100 and GbE models support SCSI tape libraries.

Both ipXtensionCords are supported by Linux iSCSI software drivers and the Intel PRO/1000 T IP Storage Adapter (or compatible) for Microsoft Windows 2000, NT and Linux platforms.

"Okapi is in the business of making storage manageable and affordable," said Farkaly. "The ipXtensionCord is the first of a long list of products we will bring to market that will not only simplify storage but make it an efficiently managed commodity."

The ipXtensionCords compete with remote tape bridge products from Crossroads Systems and ATTO Technology, as well as Fibre Channel tape with IP-based extenders.

About Okapi Software

Founded in February 2002, Okapi Software Inc, www.okapi-software.com, is a pioneering provider of IP SAN appliance software and iSCSI applications for small-to-medium businesses. Its unique ipKEY software delivery system is a core component in its recently introduced ipXpress iSCSI appliance software kit for VARs, integrators and OEMs. Located close to San Diego in Poway, CA, Okapi's founder, president & CEO, John Matze, is one the original architects of the IETF's iSCSI standard.

Contact: Robert Fisher of Okapi Software Inc, 866-OKAPI-IP, rfisher@okapi-software.com.