Quantum and Hammer Collaborate

Quantum Corp. will be jointly showcasing a new workgroup archive solution with UK-based storage specialist, Hammer PLC, at the International Broadcasters Convention (IBC) 2008. The solution is targeted at smaller broadcast operations and post-production environments, offering a more flexible and cost-effective approach to active archive than alternatives designed for traditional high-performance computing applications. The Hammer solution allows smaller shops to take advantage of transparent data movement via LAN or WAN and fast retrieval between disk and tape tiers.

The Hammer workgroup archive solution combines the Quantum StorNext File System and StorNext Storage Manager on a Linux server with disk cache, allowing users and applications to easily connect via NAS protocols, and includes the Quantum Scalar® i500 tape library as the seamless, long-term retention tier. This cost-efficient solution, scalable from 23 to 316 terabytes (TB) can effectively match system size to the end-user environment. Incorporating transparency and dynamic data movement between storage tiers enabled by the StorNext technology, the Hammer solution tailors content archiving to the needs of the workgroup – and an optional integrity checking feature ensures the consistency of content.

"The Hammer workgroup archive solution is the result of a close collaboration between Hammer PLC and Quantum, in which we integrate in-house at Hammer and provide on-site support anywhere within EMEA," said Jason Beeson, director of Solutions Sales at Hammer. "This is a great opportunity for Hammer to further enhance our relationship with Quantum and we are proud to be the distributor of such an innovative solution."

Streamlined for data retrieval, Hammer’s offering includes an automated policy-driven archive solution to access data transparently, regardless of location for short- or long-term storage on disk or tape. Further, the integrated Quantum StorNext technology enables support of third-party digital asset manager applications such as Apple Final Cut Server.

The workgroup archive solution can be accessed as NAS through NFS and CIFS protocols, allowing simple connectivity, quick data access and heterogeneous support across Windows, Linux, UNIX and Mac OS X. With multi-tiered archives, content marked for long-term retention is automatically stored on environmentally advantageous and low-cost LTO tape media. The integration of LTO tape technology with NAS dramatically reduces storage costs by providing dynamic tiered storage, thereby reducing additional primary disk storage required to protect content.

"With more than 100 petabytes of user data under management today, Quantum StorNext is a trusted brand for large, data intensive workflow environments, but many smaller production and workgroup environments are still challenged with automating archive processes in a cost-effective manner," said Ewan Johnston, EMEA software solutions director for Quantum. "We are pleased to work with Hammer on a turn-key solution that is priced for the workgroup and can scale to meet workflow and retention needs well into the future. The flexible, open architecture of the solution eliminates the time and management burden through transparent and automated tools, enabling end-users to move content seamlessly between storage tiers."