Two New Qualstar XLS Enterprise LTO Libraries

Qualstar Corporation announced two new models of its XLS Enterprise Tape Library family. The XLS-810160 and XLS-810240 deliver the benefits and features of Qualstar’s patented Compass Architecture™ packaged to seamlessly integrate into rack-focused IT layouts. Shipments will begin in the first quarter of 2010.

The new XLS-810160 and XLS-810240 models are just 23 inches wide to allow easy integration by customers who have designed their IT environments around industry standard rack sizes. Unlike rack-bound libraries, the new XLS models can expand to 780 tape slots, yielding 624 terabytes in less than 11 square feet, allowing users to easily increase their backup and archival storage to match rapidly growing data.

The XLS-810240 library contains 245 tape storage slots and can house up to ten LTO 4 tape drives, delivering a native capacity of 196 terabytes and a native data transfer rate exceeding 4.3 terabytes per hour. Typical data compression techniques can more than double both the capacity and data rate. The XLS-810160 houses 165 LTO data cartridges, yielding a native capacity of 132 terabytes. An 80-slot, user-installable capacity upgrade kit is available to convert the XLS-810160 to an XLS-810240.

All XLS Enterprise Tape Libraries are designed to accept LTO 5 drives when they become available, effectively doubling the capacity of all models. Upgrading XLS libraries to support the latest tape drives is easy and can be accomplished by the end user.

Adding capacity or tape drives to the new XLS-810160 and XLS-810240 is readily accomplished in the field with minimal interruption to on-going operations. Tape drive bays, tape drives and internal and external capacity expansion options can all be installed in a few minutes. An Expansion Pod can be added initially and then replaced by a 535-slot Memory Expansion Module, providing granular solutions to meet a broad range of data protection and archival storage growth requirements.

“Our new XLS models free users from the growth restrictions imposed by rack-limited storage solutions. Easy expansion combined with enterprise features and lower entry cost means real value for customers today and flexibility to readily meet growth needs in the future,” said William Gervais, Qualstar President and CEO.

XLS Enterprise Library Systems are available through Qualstar’s worldwide network of Authorized Resellers.