OpenStorage, Distributor of Spectra Logic, Presents Spectra Stack Tape Library

Designed to meet the demanding backup, archive and data protection requirements of midsize to large organizations, the Spectra Stack Tape Library, a highly scalable, modular and affordable tape library, enables users to start with a single tape drive and 10 tape slots, and grow the system incrementally as their data needs increase.

The tape library delivers flexibility, capacity and performance in a 19-inch rack. 

IT professionals can start with 10 LTO tapes and one LTO drive in a 6U module, and over time expand the library – module by module – up to 560 LTO tapes and 42 LTO tape drives per rack. Self-installable and customer upgradable in less than 30mn, each module holds up to 80 LTO tapes and up to 6 LTO half-height tape drives (up to 3 LTO full-height drives).

By allowing users to expand capacity in small increments, as few as 10 tape slots at a time,this library offers a flexible growth plan available. Both scalable and economical, a 7-module Spectra Stack, when fully populated with LTO-8 drives and media, can store up to 6.7PB (16.75 PB compressed*) and transfer data at up to 45TB/hr. (105 TB/hr. compressed*), all in a single standard rack. When LTO-9 is available, the Spectra Stack will store up to 25PB (compressed) in a single standard rack.

The library offers flexibility on many levels, supporting both full-height and half-height tape drives; multiple generations of LTO tape drives and media – and the ability to use new LTO tape technology or integrate existing LTO tape drives and media into the library for investment protection.

Easy to use and manage, it provides a feature set similar to the rest of the Spectra tape library family, including a color touchscreen, remote web interface, ability to create Shared Library Services (SLS) partitions (up to 20), built-in diagnostics, media lifecycle management, encryption, and encryption key management.

Certified with all major ISV packages for the data center, Spectra Stack also integrates with Spectra’s BlackPearl Converged Storage System, an object storage gateway, that allows users to create an object storage ecosystem with tape, archive disk and online disk – all managed by BlackPearl. Spectra Stack is the perfect offload for tier-1 storage as well as being a backup or offload for cloud environments. And the LTFS tape format ensures that data is interchangeable with other systems – eliminating vendor lock in.

In addition, Spectra Stack provides protection from ransomware attacks through something called an Air Gap, meaning that data stored on tape media that is electronically disconnected from the network cannot be hacked.

Spectra tape library customers are eligible for the MigrationPass program, which helps users consolidate other storage tape library applications, drives and tape cartridges into the Spectra Stack by leveraging SLS, providing greater density, efficiencies and cost savings. In addition to Spectra’s Assisted Self Maintenance (ASM) option, the library is covered by SpectraGuard Support, which reduces downtime and helps users avoid costly disruptions to their operations.

“Spectra Logic continues to lead the industry in innovation for tape and these advancements showcase how they consistently address storage market needs,” said Fred Moore, president, Horison Information Strategies. “From products that address the affordability and scalability requirements of entry to midsize customers, to enhancements to their powerful enterprise tape library line that address flexibility and high capacity, Spectra demonstrates why they have been around for over 40 years.“

 “Today’s IT experts have told us that their tape libraries must be easy to use, economical and extremely scalable, given the amount of information their organizations accumulate on a Y/Y basis,” said Nathan Thompson, Spectra’s CEO. “The Spectra Stack Tape Library is an answer to those requirements, and provides organizations with one of the industry’s most scalable and feature-rich storage solution sets.“

*compression ratio is 2.5:1