Quantum in LTFS

Quantum Corp. unveiled the Scalar LTFS (Linear Tape File System) appliance which offers new modes of portability and user accessibility for archived content on LTO tape.

It features a NAS front-end and is based on the LTFS open-standard for content formatting. Because it works with existing application and file system tools, LTFS-based content is easily managed, transported and accessible for long-term data protection and archival storage.

The Scalar LTFS appliance can also be used to import and export LTFS open-standard media into a StorNext File System. This flexibility provides a content distribution alternative for cloud services and applications such as video archiving.

At NAB, Quantum highlighted how its StorNext solutions can manage data in the world of content shift, where increasing storage demands from 4K, 3-D and new platforms for content consumption are straining workflows that create and deliver content.

Quantum’s booth featured live demonstrations of the new Scalar LTFS appliance and the complete StorNext appliance family, including its new metadata, gateway, archive and storage systems optimized for StorNext. Quantum partners, including Autodesk, Dalet, Levels Beyond, OpenText and Telestream, also presented case studies on integrated StorNext solutions at Quantum’s booth in the Las Vegas Convention Center, April 16-19.

Scalar LTFS Appliance
For broadcasters and post-production facilities, the NAS interface on Scalar LTFS enables media files captured on digital recording media such as XDCAM disk or P2 SSD to be easily copied onto LTO tape. This frees up the high-end digital media for reuse, saving the cost of additional expensive media. The Scalar LTFS appliance presents files stored on tape as a file system, for users and applications to organize and search archived content.

Customers using StorNext File System for performance collaborative content creation can use the Scalar LTFS appliance to import content from production sites on LTFS tape into StorNext. Likewise, it can leverage the Scalar LTFS appliance to export content in the open LTFS format for portability to other sites, partners or customers.

Scalar LTFS helps content providers offer cloud applications, such as image archiving in the cloud where higher latency SLAs are acceptable. When a customer requests images that are archived in the cloud, a provider can use Scalar LTFS to copy content on to tape and send it to the customer. The tape can be transported and read from any LTO tape device regardless of what application is used.

With the ability to access up to 10PB of archived data, Scalar LTFS scales as content and performance needs grow. Files can be dragged and dropped to LTFS tape cartridges in Scalar libraries and partitioned directly from the user’s native file browser.

Robert Clark, SVP, Data Protection Group, Quantum, said: "The digital
media landscape continues to evolve with new emerging technologies and
new content monetization models. The performance, scalability and
heterogeneity of StorNext solutions, along with the open-standards based
Scalar LTFS appliance, enable media and entertainment providers to
capitalize on these opportunities and enhance the value of their content
while protecting prior investments and preserving future flexibility."

Scalar LTFS appliance will be available in three models (enterprise, departmental and SMB) beginning in June 2012. List pricing begins at around $15,000.

Read also:
Quantum Automatically Migrates Content From Suspect Tape to Another One
And plans to leverage LTFS.