HP introduces extendable line of tape-library backup solutions for enterprise environments

Expanding its breadth of backup solutions, Hewlett-Packard Company has introduced a new family of tape libraries for the enterprise. The new family addresses growing customer need for improved flexibility and reliability, especially as e-services applications place heavier demands on the performance and capacity of tape backup systems.

Designed to deliver systems based on choice of configuration, capacity, interface and operating system, the new tape-library family consists of the HP SureStore and the HP SureStore E tape libraries. The libraries are designed with the following capabilities:

.                     investment protection - The libraries are based on a common architecture with a one- or two-drive 20-slot configuration (2/20); a two- or four-drive 40-slot configuration (4/40); and a two-, four- or six-drive 60-slot configuration (6/60). The new family ranges in native capacity from 800GB to 2.4TB. Customers can purchase a configuration to meet their current needs, and, as their capacity and performance requirements grow, they can add drives or slots to their systems.

.                     manageability - The libraries can now be managed remotely using HP`s Web-based library administration software. The administrator links to leading enterprise-system-management solutions, including HP OpenView and Computer Associates TNG.

.                     field upgrades - The libraries feature the new DLT 8000 (digital linear tape) for ultra-high-speed data transfers, and all models are field-upgrade-ready for next-generation drives, such as Linear Tape Open (LTO) or Super DLT (SDLT).

.                     choice - The libraries support HP-UX and Microsoft Windows NT operating systems, as well as SCSI and Fibre Channel interfaces. The optional Fibre Channel interface allows for connection to storage area networks (SAN).

In addition to the 2/20, 4/40 and 6/60 configurations, the HP SureStore E library family includes the high-end model 20/700, which is built with hot-swappable, redundant components for 24x7 availability. Offering customers high-end capacity and performance, the 20/700 holds up to 28TB of uncompressed storage and up to 20 DLT 8000 or 12 HP 9840 tape drives to achieve backup speeds of up to 450GB/hour.

"Large companies acquire information at a voracious rate," said Bob Abraham, vice president of Freeman Associates, an industry analysis firm based in Santa Barbara, Calif. To protect their data, users need scalable backup systems to keep pace with their rapidly expanding data volumes. Scalable systems provide the most cost-effective solution to these dynamic user needs."

HP SureStore Tape Library

The HP SureStore libraries are optimised for Microsoft Windows NT environments. Designed for medium-sized to large companies, these libraries are ideal for backing up central file servers or database servers.

HP SureStore E Tape Library

The HP SureStore E libraries are designed to fit into the HP Equation architecture, which provides high availability for mission-critical environments. The model 20/700 is ideally suited to be the backup counterpart to the HP SureStore E Disk Array XP256, the most highly available, cost-effective, multiplatform high-end disk array on the market. The models XP256 and 20/700 integrate with HP OpenView OmniBack II data-management software to offer a "zero downtime" backup solution for maximum uptime.