QStar and Tandberg Create Open Archive for RDX Technology

QStar Technologies, Inc. and Tandberg Data announced a combined solution to provide SMBs and SMEs with an open platform delivering active archive management and removable disk offsite disaster protection.

The solution combines QStar’s HSM open platform archive management software with the Tandberg Data RDX QuikStation, an iSCSI-attached, removable disk library designed to provide a multi-cartridge platform for short-, medium-, or long-term archiving.

QStar HSM Archive Management software provides an open interface that helps to make the Tandberg Data RDX QuikStation an obvious archive solution for SMBs through SMEs and is suited for businesses that rely on small IT departments and limited budgets. It can be installed on servers using a range of operating systems including Windows, Linux, UNIX and Mac. Using the RDX QuikStation LTO library emulation mode, QStar allows multiple RDX cartridges to be seen as a single share (drive letter) or mount point. Using non-proprietary operating system search engines, users can search and retrieve archived files. All metadata is retained on a disk cache within the chosen server platform, so even files on an RDX cartridge that have been removed from the RDX QuikStation can be found. Once an offline file is accessed, an email notification is automatically sent to the administrator to request the media be returned to the RDX QuikStation.

"Archives need to cope with the constant growth of data. With the use of QStar software, an unlimited capacity can be incrementally created, simplifying the management of the archive," said Dave Thomson, senior vice president of sales and marketing for QStar Technologies. "QStar can support up to 256 8-dock RDX QuikStation units within a single archive, equivalent to over 2,000 online cartridges, as well as support an infinite number of offline cartridges."

"A key advantage of using RDX technology for archiving is its ability to future proof the storage platform," said Marije Gould, vice president of marketing at Tandberg Data. "All past and future RDX cartridges are supported within the RDX QuikStation, allowing customers to choose the cartridge capacity they require today and add capacity as needed, without costly and time-consuming drive or platform upgrades."

Gould continued: "With over 200PB of RDX cartridges sold, RDX technology is accepted as the market leader in removable hard disks and lends itself extremely well to archiving, with RDX cartridges boasting a lifespan in excess of 10 years. It offers the speed of disk with the portability of tape. With the support of QStar HSM software, the RDX QuikStation is positioned to dominate the small-to-medium archive markets."

The combined solution offers: