Imation Provides 1TB Media for New Sun StorageTek T10000B Tape Drives

Imation Corp. announced its support for Sun StorageTek T10000B tape drives which provide the highest data capacity per cartridge in the enterprise tape market at one terabyte. The Sun StorageTek T10000 tape drive format utilizes Imation’s proprietary Tera Angstrom technology, a proprietary coating formulation and process enabling a terabyte-capacity tape product, with Imation’s patented Precision-Tracking ‘N Pattern’ Servo writing technology, an ultra-precise reference pattern enabling nanometer-level tracking accuracy for one terabyte and more of data.

"Customers can protect their media investment and maximize their IT spend thanks to the backward read/write compatibility and simplified deployment and proven compatibility with Sun StorageTek enterprise tape libraries," said Tom Maiorano, senior director WW Storage Media Business, Sun Microsystems, Inc. "The integration of Sun’s latest world-leading fast-access enterprise tape drive design and Imation’s long-standing media expertise delivers optimized throughput with storage capacity hitting an unprecedented 1 TB."

"We have focused on the advancement of tape technology for more than 50 years and remain committed to delivering the advanced tape storage solutions that enterprise customers demand," said Subodh Kulkarni, vice president, Global Commercial Business, R&D and Manufacturing, Imation. "When we launched our Tera Angstrom coating operation in 2004, we set a goal to deliver 1 TB of native capacity in a cartridge before the end of the decade. Today we are pleased to hit that milestone as we continue to work with Sun helping customers maximize and protect their automated tape library investments."

Imation technologies incorporated into Sun StorageTek T10000 media include:

Precision-Tracking ‘N Pattern’ Servo Writing: A patented servo writing technology that creates an ultra-precise reference pattern enabling nanometer-level tracking accuracy critical for capacities of a terabyte and more.

Tera Angstrom technology and unique manufacturing processes consisting of:

• Impingement Process: High-pressure (>10000 psi) impingement jets force particles against each other, blasting apart the clusters of magnetic particles and separating them into nanometer-size elements that enable magnetic layer uniformity — smaller particle size and more uniform distribution.
• Quiescent Drying Process: A delicate drying environment that utilizes low air velocity and magnetic coils for extremely precise particle orientation — eliminating coating disturbances and orienting the particles precisely to allow for maximum bit density and storage capacity.
• In-Line Calendering Process: A series of rollers with an ultra-smooth finish that compress the tape surface to achieve surface smoothness measured in angstrom units.
• Secure Cartridge Construction: A special Vertical Spool Lock secures the tape spool internally to the cartridge during out-of-drive conditions and a patented hub design provides more reliable location of the cartridge hub to the true drive tape path. Both are key to the superior cartridge performance required in data center environments.

The Sun StorageTek T10000B tape cartridge is available through authorized distributors.