Quantum DXi6500, NAS Backup De-Dupe Appliances for Midrange Users

Quantum Corp. announces a new family of NAS backup appliances that provides an unparalleled combination of simplicity and value for midrange users looking to deploy a data deduplication solution. The DXi6500 family offers a turnkey approach that delivers all the benefits of advanced data deduplication technology while maximising return on investment, in part by bundling all licensed software features.

 
Lauren Whitehouse, senior analyst at Enterprise Strategy Group, said: “Mid-sized companies have been holding back on implementing deduplication due to the perceived complexity of implementing it and concerns about cost. Quantum’s bundled approach with the DXi6500 family manages to minimise the risks of adoption while delivering deduplication with compelling value.”
 
Simple to deploy, operate and manage
Many midrange customers today struggle with an expanding set of complex or expensive backup challenges:

• Performance and cost
• Restore reliability
• Remote office backup
• Media management
• Automated disaster recovery
• Backup in virtualised environments

The DXi6500 family addresses these issues with five preconfigured appliance models designed to protect midrange environments with 3 to 30 TB of primary data. Each model offers a simple NAS interface, with built-in deduplication and a common replication format with the rest of Quantum’s DXi-Series. All models are designed to be installable by the end user or reseller and even larger models can scale easily by adding capacity on-site with no need for a service visit. In addition, the entire DXi6500 family will support integration with the leading backup software packages, including NetBackup via Symantec’s OpenStorage API which provides a single point of management across sites and storage tiers, automating the process of catalog-aware backup replication and native tape creation. Every DXi6500 model also includes Quantum esXpress software, which offers optimised backup for VMware environments.
 
Priced for value
The new DXi6500 family provides industry-leading value by bundling all licensed software features – including deduplication, replication and Symantec NetBackup OpenStorage – in the price of the appliance, which starts at $64,000 MSRP for the smallest model. Quantum’s simple, integrated approach and focus on ease of use enable fast, effective deployment and ongoing cost savings for a rapid return on investment.
 
Advanced technology made easy
The advanced deduplication and replication technology in the DXi6500 family typically reduces both the amount of disk required for backup and bandwidth needed for replication by 90 per cent or more. The new product family leverages the latest Intel chipset, incorporates solid state disk and 10 GbE and delivers up to 2 TB per hour of NAS backup performance. Finally, the DXi6500 family capitalises on the fact that Quantum is the only deduplication provider whose products are certified for direct tape creation through NetBackup OpenStorage, with path-to-tape support available in select DXi6500 models for long-term data retention and compliance.
 
Optimised for channel partners
Each member of the DXi6500 family was designed as a turnkey appliance and includes all the necessary software licenses to be easily installable, with fewer part numbers and a simplified ordering process to eliminate configuration issues. Quantum channel programmes are available to certify and support VARs who want to perform installation, allowing interested partners to offer on-site installation with their own deployment services. In addition, all DXi6500 systems are supported by Quantum’s QuikFit hotline to help make product sizing quick and easy and channel-friendly pricing makes it easier for partners to address their customers’ needs with the right product.
 
Dan Molina, chief technology officer at Nth Generation, commented: “The demand we’re seeing for NAS-based disk backup and deduplication appliances makes this a particularly welcome product family. With the DXi6500, we now have a turnkey, cost-effective solution that will fit well within our offerings, allowing us to efficiently deliver the data protection and disaster recovery that our customers require.”
 
Mark Galpin, international product marketing manager at Quantum, added: “Medium-sized businesses have been slower to adopt deduplication because they perceived previous offerings as disruptive, complex and expensive. Quantum’s DXi6500 family gives these customers the deduplication answer they need – an affordable solution which integrates seamlessly and easily into their environment.”
 
The first models of the DXi6500 family will be available beginning November 2009.