XenData: 1U X20 and 2U X40 Media Archive For Near-Line LTO Storage Appliances to Manage LTO Library

XenData, Inc. launches 2 appliances that manage a robotic LTO library and provide from 300TB to multiple petabytes of network storage.

X40 Archive appliance

They manage LTO libraries from a range of manufacturers including Dell, HPE, IBM, Overland Storage, Qualstar, Quantum and Spectra Logic.

The appliances allow file-based applications to archive to LTO cartridges. They are for archiving video content and provide support for partial file restore, automatic LTO cartridge replication, plus many features optimized for media applications.

X20 Archive appliance

The X20 appliance is a 1RU rack-mounted unit that supports LTO libraries with up to 50 slots and 2 internal LTO drives. When using 12TB LTO-8 cartridges in a 50-slot library, the system has a near-line capacity of 600TB. In addition, the system manages an unlimited number of externalized cartridges. The X20 runs a Windows 10 Pro OS and connects to the local network via 1GbE or 10GbE. It includes a 14 to 28TB disk cache that allows frequently access files to be retained online.

X20 appliance specifications
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The X40 appliance is a 2 RU rack-mounted unit that supports LTO libraries of unlimited size with up to 4 internal LTO drives. It runs a Windows Server 2019 OS and connects to the local network via 1GbE, 25/10GbE or 100GbE. The X40 includes a 50TB RAID cache for frequently accessed files.

X40 appliance specifications
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Both appliances allow files to be written and read over the network via SMB or FTP, just like disk-based share. They adhere to Microsoft security based on Active Directory and, consequently, may be added to an existing Windows domain or workgroup.

The X20 and X40 support automatic LTO cartridge replication, even when managing an LTO library with only 1 LTO drive. They write to rewritable LTO cartridges using the LTFS interchange format and to unalterable WORM cartridges using the open-standard TAR format. Both appliances have a built-in ‘repack’ function that allows files to be seamlessly migrated from one gen of LTO to another.

Integration modules are available for many applications used in the media industry including for Avid Interplay, axle MAM, CatDV, Marquis Parking, Metus MAM, Viz One from Vizrt and the VSN MAM.

Both models may be cloud enabled which allows archived content to be replicated to cloud object storage. This allows mirroring of content to the cloud for DR and file sharing purposes.

Dr. Phil Storey, CEO, commented: “These new appliances combine rich functionality optimized for creative media applications and excellent value for money. For example, a complete system that provides 540TB of near-line storage costs less than $27,000. This includes the X20 appliance, a 48 slot LTO library and the LTO-8 cartridges.”

The X20 and X40 Archive Appliances are available. The X20 Appliance starts at $9,800 and the X40 is priced from $18,200.

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