April Adams Product Report 2 December 2003 Quantum Super DLTtape Drives Summary Quantum s new SDLT 600 tape drive leapfrogs its competitors with a 100GB native capacity advantage over LTO-2. DLTSage diagnostics and a faster data transfer rate also improve Quantum s competitive position. Table of Contents Overview Analysis Pricing Competitors Strengths Limitations Recommended Gartner Research Insight List Of Tables Table 1: Features and Functions: Quantum SDLT Tape Drives Table 2: Price List: Quantum SDLT Drives Table 3: Competitive Analysis: Quantum SDLT 600 Tape Drive Table 4: Competitive Analysis: Quantum SDLT 220 and SDLT 320 Tape Drives Gartner Reproduction of this publication in any form without prior written permission is forbidden. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Gartner disclaims all warranties as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of such information. Gartner shall have no liability for errors, omissions or inadequacies in the information contained herein or for interpretations thereof. The reader assumes sole responsibility for the selection of these materials to achieve its intended results. The opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice.
Corporate Headquarters Quantum Corp. 1650 Technology Drive, Suite 800 San Jose, CA 95110, U.S.A. Tel: +1 408 944 4000 Internet: www.quantum.com Overview In October 2003, Quantum announced its third-generation Super DLTtape (SDLT) drive the SDLT 600 extending the Super DLTtape family to three products. At the high end of the line is the SDLT 600. This was preceded by the SDLT 320 in the middle and the SDLT 220 at the low end. All three models are designed for use with Unix and Windows NT servers, in large corporate departments and in midrange automated libraries and are targeted for the midrange open systems market. Product Overview SDLT 600 Tape Drive Quantum s latest entry into the super drive category is the third-generation SDLT 600, announced on 14 October 2003 and expected to be generally available in November 2003. The SDLT 600 is primarily targeted for use in automated solutions. It features a native capacity of 300GB (600GB compressed assuming 2:1 data compression) and a 36 MB/sec native data transfer rate (72 MB/sec compressed). Quantum achieved this higher capacity by increasing track density and linear bit density. The SDLT 600 uses 640 data tracks, has a track density of 1490 tracks per inch (tpi) and a linear bit density of 233 kilobits per inch. The SDLT 600 s total access time (cartridge load time plus average file access time) is 91 seconds. The SDLT 600 is the first SDLT tape drive to offer a native Fibre Channel interface in this case, operating at 2 Gb/sec. It supports point-to-point, fabric or Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL) topologies and is primarily used when the drive is installed in automation solutions. The SDLT 600 also supports an Ultra160 Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) low-voltage differential (LVD) interface. The SDLT 600 s drive interface chips reside on Host Interface Module (HIM) cards. The SDLT 600 uses Super DLTtape II media and is only backward-read compatible (BRC) with the SDLT 320, SDLT 220 and DLT VS160 tape drives. Customers who require backward write compatibility to previous generations of DLTtape drives are directed to the SDLT 320. SDLT 320 Tape Drive Quantum s second-generation SDLT product was the SDLT 320, a 160GB native capacity (320GB compressed), 16 MB/sec native data transfer rate (32 MB/sec compressed) tape drive that is currently targeted at the mid- to high-end open systems market. The SDLT 320 has a 64MB buffer and a total access time of 82 seconds. The SDLT 320 supports the customer s choice of either Ultra2 SCSI Wide LVD or Ultra1 SCSI Wide high-voltage differential (HVD) interface. It records on 448 tracks (56 track groups with 8 tracks in each). SDLT 220 Tape Drive 2 December 2003 2
Quantum s first-generation SDLT 220 tape drive was introduced in January 2001 and is still marketed today, though Quantum s marketing focus has shifted to the SDLT 320 and SDLT 600 tape drives. The SDLT 220 has a 110GB native capacity (220GB compressed) and an 11 MB/sec native data transfer rate (22 MB/sec compressed again assuming 2:1 data compression). It has a 32MB buffer (half the size of the SDLT 320) and a total access time of 82 seconds. Like the SDLT 320, the SDLT 220 records on 448 tracks (56 track groups with 8 tracks in each) and supports either Ultra2 SCSI Wide LVD or Ultra1 SCSI Wide HVD interfaces. Like the SDLT 320, the SDLT 220 is targeted at midrange to high-end environments. Data Streaming Techniques The Super DLTtape drives, like their DLTtape predecessors, feature a file mark index at the beginning of each tape to assist the drive in locating selected files in a high-speed search. They also use an adaptive cache buffering system that monitors the data transfer rate of the host and adjusts the tape drive s buffering operations to match the host s speed. This technology, which Quantum calls DLTtape s Digital Data Rate Agent (DDRA), is intended to offset the negative effects of having to stop and start the tape when data doesn t flow continually from the host. To ensure that the tape is moving at the appropriate recording speed after a stop (108 inches/sec for the SDLT 600, 122 inches/sec for SDLT 320 and 116 inches/sec for SDLT 220), the drive must rewind the media far enough so that it can ramp back up to speed before recording begins again. This causes an increased processing delay and a greater number of tape passes. Quantum s adaptive cache buffering system, along with the SDLT s increased cache size (64MB on the SDLT 600 and SDLT 320, 32MB on the SDLT 220), is designed to limit the need for these costly starts and stops. Architecture All three Super DLTtape drive models use a similar technology base, a conglomeration of features previously referred to as Laser Guided Magnetic Recording (LGMR) Technology. While the umbrella name has been de-emphasized, however, the architecture has not changed. Each SDLT tape drive uses five elements to facilitate the track density and capacity achieved with SDLT. The five elements are: Pivotal Optical Servo (POS) POS places an optically encoded servo system on the back of the media, freeing up the front magnetic side of the media to hold more data tracks. With POS, data is recorded magnetically in groups of tracks on the data-bearing side of the tape, while servoing is done optically on the back. This method also allows SDLT media to be bulk erased without losing the embedded servo tracks. Improvements to the POS on the SDLT 600 include the use of two different servos. The Optical Tracking Servo controls the side-to-side positioning of the MRC heads. The Reel Motor Servo controls tape tension and tape speed. Magneto Resistive Cluster (MRC) Heads Quantum introduced this new head configuration with the SDLT 220 and today uses it on the SDLT 320 and SDLT 600 as well, although the SDLT 600 has 16 channels instead of the previous generation s eight and Quantum re-designed the head actuator. MRC heads are a group of small magneto-resistive heads that are packed together to form a cluster and held in position using thin-film processing technology. Because the read and write heads are closer together, the clusters are smaller than previous head configurations. Advanced Partial Response Maximum Likelihood (PRML) Channel Technology Quantum developed Advanced PRML for SDLT in conjunction with Lucent Technologies. Advanced PRML provides digitally encoded recording densities that have enabled SDLT technology to substantially increase its transfer rates and capacities over current DLTtape products. 2 December 2003 3
Advanced Metal Particle (AMP) Media Super DLTtape I AMP media uses a special coating on the back side that allows optical servo tracks to be located there. Data capacities are increased because the entire front side of the tape is available for data tracks. Super DLTtape II media was introduced with the SDLT 600 tape drive. It uses what Quantum calls emp60 media technology to improve on the AMP technology by using smaller magnetic particles and a thinner magnetic recording layer to enable increased track and linear bit densities. AMP media does not require pre-formatting. Positive Engagement Tape Leader Buckling System Quantum replaced the leader latching mechanism used on the DLTtape line with a Positive Engagement Tape Leader Buckling System on the Super DLTtape products. The new buckling design, referred to as the Positive Buckle Link, uses a solid metal pin on the drive leader that hooks into molded clips attached to the tape leader inside the cartridge. This differs from the DLT design, which incorporates a hoop at the beginning of the tape cartridge that mates with a mushroom leader latch on the drive take-up reel to pull the tape out of the cartridge, through the tape path and onto the take-up reel. Modular Design Quantum s Super DLTtape drives are made up of four separate modules, including: Data Control Module (DCM) Houses the POS, MRC heads, head-guide assembly, take-up reel, drive motor and printed circuit board. Tape Control Module (TCM) The chassis on which the drive is built, the TCM houses the tape control module printed circuit board assembly (which controls the TCM and interfaces with the drive s main controller board), the base plate, the cartridge receiver, the Positive Engagement Tape Leader Buckling Mechanism, the tape supply motor assembly and the floor plate assembly. Front Panel Module (FPM) Essentially the front bezel, the FPM features light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that apprise users of the system s status. On the SDLT 320 and SDLT 600, one provides information on drive status, one for back read and one for cleaning. The FPM also helps channel airflow through the drive and enables cartridge alignment and ejection. With the introduction of the SDLT 600, several enhancements were made to the FPM, including a redesign of the front panel to increase and improve airflow in both embedded and tape library configurations, the addition of a dust door for the purposes of improved reliability and the removal of fragile snap tabs. Electronic Interface Module (EIM) Houses the Integrated Control Module board (which contains the main controller, servo microprocessor, SDLT ASICs and cache) and the advanced PRML, and enables connectivity to the host via installation of the appropriate HIM card. Media Super DLTtape media cartridges use a single-reel design, whereby the tape cartridge contains a single reel (the supply reel) and the tape drive contains the corresponding take-up reel. Loading the tape is accomplished by pulling the tape out of the cartridge, around the head-guide assembly, past the stationary read/write heads and onto the take-up reel. This is in contrast to helical scan designs, which have two reels per cartridge and rotating read/write heads. Data is recorded in tracks that run the entire length of the tape. Data is recorded down the tape on one set of tracks, and then the heads are repositioned for the next track, which runs in the reverse direction. Data is recorded vertically within the tracks so that the data is written perpendicular to the edges of the tape. The SDLT 220 and SDLT 320 tape drives use Super DLTtape I media. Each tape is a half-inch wide and 1,828 feet long (1,765 feet usable). Super DLTtape cartridges look similar to the previous-generation DLTtape cartridges with the same basic shape, label space and write protection switch location. 2 December 2003 4
Differences include the color of the cartridge (Super DLTtape I cartridges are green, while DLTtape IV cartridges are brown), a molded pattern on the Super DLTtape I cartridge that is not present on the DLTtape cartridges and a special keyed design that prevents Super DLTtape I cartridges from being inadvertently installed into incompatible DLTtape drives. The SDLT 600 tape drive supports Super DLTtape II media, which features half-inch wide tape that is 2,063 feet long (1,957 feet usable). The cartridge color is blue, to distinguish it from the Super DLTtape I and DLTtape IV media. A single cleaning cartridge is also available for all drives. Backward Compatibility BRC is always an important tape drive feature, particularly in the tape library market, where established customers may have large sets of recorded cartridges that they will continue to need access to, even after they upgrade their tape technology. Quantum states that it has an installed base of approximately 2 million tape drives (DLTtape and Super DLTtape drives combined), that it has shipped more than 100 million DLTtape and Super DLTtape media cartridges (five million Super DLTtape cartridges) and that it took this installed base into consideration when designing its SDLTtape and DLTtape families. The SDLT 220 offers BRC to the DLT 4000, DLT 7000, DLT 8000 and DLT1/DLT VS80 using DLTtape IV media. The SDLT 320 is BRC with DLTtape IV media written on DLT 4000, DLT 7000, DLT 8000 or DLT1/DLT VS80 drives. It also uses the same Super DLTtape I cartridges as the SDLT 220, therefore providing full BRC and write compatibility with Super DLTtape I media written on SDLT 220 drives. The SDLT 600 uses Super DLTtape II media and is BRC with the SDLT 320, SDLT 220 and DLT VS160 only. To implement BRC to the previous-generation DLTtape products, the SDLT 220 and SDLT 320 tape drives actually have two head mechanisms the MRC heads designed specifically for Super DLTtape technology and a retractable DLT 8000-style head that enables them to load and read DLTtape IV and DLT VS1 media. The SDLT 600 does not have this extra head and is only BRC with the SDLT 320, SDLT 220 and DLT VS160. Cleaning Mechanism The SDLT drives have a shutter that closes over the MRC heads to protect them from debris during the load and unload process. In addition, the BRC heads on the SDLT 220 and SDLT 320 retract when not in use so that the leader never passes over the head, thus protecting it from debris during loading and unloading. When the drives do need cleaning, users are signaled to insert a cleaning cartridge that cleans the MRC heads. Notification can be accomplished in two ways through the backup software (this is available on some, but not all applications) or via a cleaning light on SDLT drives with a firmware level of v.35 or above. The cleaning lights on drives with a firmware level below v.35 are inactive. Table 1: Features and Functions: Quantum SDLT Tape Drives Model SDLT 600 SDLT 320 SDLT 220 Date Announced Native/Compre ssed Capacity (1) October 2003 June 2002 January 2001 300GB/600GB 160GB/320GB 110GB/220GB Buffer Size 64MB 64MB 32MB 2 December 2003 5
Table 1: Features and Functions: Quantum SDLT Tape Drives Model SDLT 600 SDLT 320 SDLT 220 Sustained Data Transfer Rate Native/Compre ssed (MB/sec) (1) Cartridge Load Time to Beginning of Tape (BOT) (seconds) Average File Access Time From BOT (seconds) Total Access Time (Cartridge Load plus Average File Access) (seconds) Maximum Tape Speed (inches per second) Rewind Speed (inches per second) Maximum Rewind Time (seconds) Drive Interface Tape Alert Compliant Recording Format Number of Data Tracks 36/72 16/32 11/22 12 formatted 12 formatted (40 unformatted 12 formatted (40 unformatted (40 tape) tape) unformatted tape) 79 70 70 91 82 82 108 122 116 160 160 160 156 140 140 Ultra160 SCSI SCSI-3 Ultra2 Wide SCSI (HVD SCSI-3 Ultra2 Wide SCSI (LVD), (LVD), 2Gb or LVD), Ultra1 SCSI Wide (HVD) Ultra1 SCSI Wide (HVD) Fibre Channel Yes Yes Yes Linear Linear Serpentine Linear Serpentine Serpentine 640 (40 track 448 (56 track groups, with 8 448 (56 track groups, with 8 groups, with tracks per group) tracks per group) 16 tracks per group) 2 December 2003 6
Table 1: Features and Functions: Quantum SDLT Tape Drives Model SDLT 600 SDLT 320 SDLT 220 Track Density (tracks per inch) Linear Bit Density (kilobits per inch) Encoding Method Data Compression Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) (hours) Media Durability (passes) Uncorrected Error Rate (bits read) Undetected Error Rate (bits read) Form Factor (inches) Power Consumption Operating Average (watts) 1,490 1,058 1,058 233 193 133 PRML PRML PRML DLZ DLZ DLZ 250,000 at 100 percent duty cycle 250,000 at 100 percent duty cycle 250,000 at 100 percent duty cycle 1 million 1 million 1 million 1 10 17 1 10 17 1 10 17 1 10 27 1 10 27 1 10 27 5.25, Full Height 32 (typical streaming/writi ng) Warranty 3 years from ship date, Return to factory (1) Assumes 2:1 data compression. Analysis DLTSage 5.25, Full Height 5.25, Full Height 27 (typical streaming/writing) 27 (typical streaming/writing) 3 years from ship date, Return to factory 3 years from ship date, Return to factory All of the Super DLT tape drives support Quantum s new diagnostic architecture, called DLTSage. In addition to monitoring drive and media health and reporting on any failures that occur, DLTSage can aid administrators in determining whether a failure is due to a problem with the tape drive or the media. DLTSage also performs a predictive function by maintaining a database of statistics that can help users 2 December 2003 7
determine when either is approaching the end of their useful lives. Information such as the load counts and serial numbers of the last 10 drives to use the media, total megabytes ever written or read on a particular cartridge or drive and the number of retries required on the most recent read and write (plus data on many other parameters) is tracked and reported up to the Quantum software or to a variety of third-party applications for use in managing the environment and predicting potential failures in an effort to avoid downtime. DLTSage utilizes host-based software, drive-based software and data from the drive and mediatoaccomplishitstask. DLTSage supports Tape Alert functionality and conforms to the ANSI T-10 Media Auxiliary Memory (MAM) specification. Using industry-standard interfaces simplifies DLTSage s integration into backup and restore applications from third-party vendors. In fact, according to Quantum, many backup software vendors, including Arkeia, Computer Associates, CommVault Systems, Legato, VERITAS and Yosemite Technologies, have already committed to incorporating DLTSage into their products. In tape library configurations, drive and media information can be conveyed to the library using Tape alerts and SCSI interfaces. Tape library vendors, such as ADIC, Overland Storage and Quantum s Storage Solutions Group, have agreed to support the tool in their library products as well. There are currently four ways to extract data from the DLTSage application: xtalk xtalk is the primary method for extracting data that DLTSage gathers. It is a host-based application that communicates with the drives over Fibre Channel or SCSI connections. xtalk is fully supported on the SDLT 600 and the SDLT 320 with version 70 firmware or above. SDLT 320 users with a firmware revision under v70 would need to update their firmware in order to get xtalk functionality. xtalk is also supported with same functionality on the SDLT 220. Quantum s plans include extending xtalk functionality to its DLT VS80 and DLT VS160 tape drives in the next 12 to 18 months. italk The host-based italk application allows the storage administrator to communicate with DLTSage using the infrared (IR) link on a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or computer to download information or issue commands. It incorporates an enhanced version of Quantums s previous wireless diagnostic tool, Global Storage (GS) Link, which is no longer sold separately. italk is supported on all SDLT tape drives. Serial Port Storage administrators can also gather information via serial port. This is supported on all SDLT tape drives. Native SCSI/Fibre Channel Port Storage administrators can also gather information via the SCSI or Fibre Channel data port. This is supported on all DLTtape drives. DLTSage ships free of charge with the SDLT 600 and can be downloaded from Quantum s Web site at no charge for the SDLT 220 and SDLT 320 models. Product Road Map The SDLT 600 represents the third generation of Super DLTtape technology. According to Quantum s product road map, which extends through 2007, future generations of the SDLT tape drive are expected to approximately double in capacity every 18 to 24 months. That means the next-generation product, the SDLT 1200, should have a capacity of 600GB native (1200GB) compressed. That product is expected in the late 2004/early 2005 time frame, according to Quantum. The culmination of the road map is the fifthgeneration SDLT 2400, planned for release in 2007, which Quantum expects will deliver 1.2TB of native capacity (2.4TB compressed). 2 December 2003 8
Pricing Table 2: Price List: Quantum SDLT Drives Model Number Description MSRP Price (US$) TR-S12AA-YF TR-S23AA-YF TR-S32AA-YF GSA Pricing No. Competitors SDLT 220, backward-readcompatible, SCSI LVD, internal tape drive SDLT 320, SCSI LVD, tape drive SDLT 600, SCSI LVD, tape drive 3,995 4,495 6,135 Quantum s SDLT tape drives compete with Linear Tape-Open (LTO) Ultrium tape drives from Hewlett- Packard (HP), IBM and Certance (formerly Seagate Removable Storage Solutions), as well as with AIT-3 tape drives from Sony. SDLT 600 The SDLT 600 competes with the LTO Ultrium 2 tape drives from HP and IBM specifically, the HP StorageWorks Ultrium 460 and the IBM 3580 Ultrium 2. The third LTO Ultrium technology provider company (TPC), Certance, announced its second-generation LTO Ultrium tape drive in a press release dated 29 October 2003, but has yet to release full specification details on the product. Given this, and the fact that the product is not yet generally available, it is not included in this competitive discussion. The SDLT 600 tops the competition on the two most often quoted specifications capacity and data transfer rate. It offers a 300GB native capacity as compared with the HP StorageWorks Ultrium 460 and IBM 3580 Ultrium 2 tape drives, which both support a 200GB native capacity. The SDLT 600 transfers data at a rate of 36 MB/sec native, slightly ahead of the IBM 3580 Ultrium 2, which operates at 35 MB/sec native, and 6 MB/sec faster than the StorageWorks Ultrium 460, which operates at 30 MB/sec native. As always, however, there is more to the story than just capacity and data transfer rate. Each drive offers its own distinguishing features, and each technology (and each manufacturer within a technology) has its own loyal installed base. Some of the features that differentiate these drives include: Total Access Time The 3580 Ultrium 2 tape drive has the fastest total access time in the competitive lineup, with 64 seconds. This is compared to the StorageWorks Ultrium 460 (90 seconds) and the SDLT 600 (91 seconds). Power Consumption Average power consumption, both while writing and while idle, are listed in the chart below. While there is a large variance between the drives on the power consumption while idle metric, the differences in the average operating power consumption while writing are not dramatic. What is notable is IBM s introduction of a sleep mode for its 3580 Ultrium 2 drive. This sleep mode allows power consumption to be reduced to just 9 watts when the drive is not in use. No other tape drive in this category provides this feature. Cartridge Memory Both of the LTO Ultrium competitors support LTO-Cartridge Memory (LTO-CM) in accordance with the Ultrium specification. LTO-CM is a radio frequency (RF)-based feature that 2 December 2003 9
allows certain kinds of data to be stored on a chip located on the data cartridge, rather than in the first region of the tape. The types of information stored include file location data, serial number, manufacturer ID number and predictive failure analysis data (to name a few). In all cases, the LTO- CM chip is located in the rear of the Ultrium data or cleaning cartridge, where it can be read through an RF interface by a stand-alone drive or possibly in the future by a reader located on the robotics of a tape library. Data in the LTO-CM is protected with parity and Cyclical Redundancy Check (CRC). The SDLT tape drives do not support cartridge memory. Diagnostics As discussed in the Analysis section of this report, the SDLT 600 comes with Quantum s DLTSage predictive diagnostic tool. All LTO Ultrium drives offer power-on diagnostics in accordance with the Ultrium specification. However, IBM also ships its 3580 Ultrium drives with its Statistical Analysis and Reporting Systems (SARS), which embeds preventative diagnostics into the drive s microcode. SARS uses information drawn from the LTO-CM module combined with data from the tape drive s flash electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) to determine the most likely cause of a performance degradation or failure. HP also embeds some additional preventative diagnostics into the microcode of its Ultrium 460 tape drive. This data can be accessed using HP s StorageWorks Library and Tape Tools (L&TT) product (a client-server diagnostic application), via the host or through a library interface in automation environments. Data Streaming Techniques All of the drives in our competitive lineup utilize a 64MB buffer and adaptive cache buffering techniques to help keep data streaming from the host. Quantum s DDRA is one example. Both the StorageWorks Ultrium 460 and the 3580 Ultrium 2 tape drives take it one step further, however, with data-streaming features that physically alter the speed of the tape drive in response to changes in the rate of data coming in from the host. HP s technique, called Data Rate Matching (DRM), can vary the drive speed continuously anywhere between 30 MB/sec native and 10 MB/sec native on the StorageWorks Ultrium 460. In addition, DRM anticipates when the tape is approaching the end of a wrap and adjusts the data flow into the buffer accordingly to account for the time it takes to change the tape direction and reposition the heads. IBM s Digital Speed Matching varies the drive speed among five incremental speeds 35 MB/sec, 30.63 MB/sec, 26.25 MB/sec, 21.9 MB/sec and 17.5 MB/sec selecting the step that will result in the greatest reduction in backhitching and most improved performance. Despite the similarity in name, Quantum s DDRA is not the same kind of implementation as is found on the HP LTO Ultrium drives or the IBM LTO Ultrium 2 drive, though the company does claim that DDRA can handle data streaming equally well through its buffer management. One-Button Disaster Recovery (OBDR) Using OBDR on the StorageWorks Ultrium 460 allows users to create a bootable backup tape for use in restoring a system after a complete system failure or other catastrophic event. Neither of the other two competing products support this feature. Table 3: Competitive Analysis: Quantum SDLT 600 Tape Drive Model Date Available Manufacturer s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) ($) (1) Quantum SDLT 600 November 2003 6,135 (no media) HP StorageWorks Ultrium 460 IBM 3580 Ultrium 2 November 2002 February 2003 5,775 (no media) 6,200 (includes one data and one cleaning cartridge) 2 December 2003 10
Table 3: Competitive Analysis: Quantum SDLT 600 Tape Drive Model Quantum SDLT 600 HP StorageWorks Ultrium 460 IBM 3580 Ultrium 2 Capacity: 300GB/600GB 200GB/400GB 200GB/400GB Native/Compre ssed (2) Buffer Size 64MB 64MB 64MB (bytes) Sustained 36/72 30/60 35/70 Data Transfer Rate: Native/Compre ssed (MB/sec) (2) Cartridge Load 12 19 15 Time (seconds to BOT) Average File 79 71 (3) 49 Access Time (seconds from BOT) Total Access 91 90 64 Time (Cartridge Load plus Average File Access) (seconds) Drive Interface Ultra160 SCSI (LVD), 2Gb Fibre Channel (for library Ultra160 SCSI (LVD), 2Gb Fibre Channel (for library configurations only) Ultra160 SCSI (LVD), Ultra Wide SCSI (HVD), Native 2Gb Fibre Channel with F-Port support (for library configurations only) configurations only) Recording Linear Linear serpentine Linear serpentine Format Serpentine MTBF (hours) 250,000 at 100 250,000 at 100 percent duty cycle 250,000 at 100 percent duty cycle percent duty cycle Power 25W (with 22.1W (with tape), 18W (with no 13W (with tape) (5) Consumption (Idle) SCSI tape); 21W (withnotape) tape) (4) Power Consumption (Writing) SCSI 32W 32.8W (6) 29W 2 December 2003 11
Table 3: Competitive Analysis: Quantum SDLT 600 Tape Drive Model Quantum SDLT 600 HP StorageWorks Ultrium 460 IBM 3580 Ultrium 2 Power Consumption (Sleep) SCSI Form Factor Warranty Not applicable Not applicable 9W 5.25, Full height 3 years from ship date, Return to factory 5.25, Full height 5.25, Full height 3-year parts exchange, nextbusiness-day response (1) MSRP pricing for SCSI LVD tape drive as of November 2003. (2) Assumes 2:1 data compression. (3) For a 100GB (native) tape. 3-year advance parts exchange (4) Based on an external HP StorageWorks Ultrium 460 tape drive using AC power-240vac/50hz. (5) Based on external IBM 3580 Ultrium 2 tape drive, voltage: 100-200, VAC: 50-60 Hz auto-ranging. (6) Based on an external HP StorageWorks Ultrium 460 tape drive using AC power-240vac/50hz. SDLT 220 and SDLT 320 The SDLT 220 and SDLT 320 compete with the HP StorageWorks Ultrium 230, IBM 3580 Ultrium 1, Certance LTO Ultrium 1 (formerly called the Viper 200) and Sony AIT-3. The first three competitors are based on the first-generation open standard LTO Ultrium technology, and the Sony product is based on AIT technology. While the SDLT 220 is included in our competitive chart for reference purposes, potential customers should note that it is rapidly being phased out in favor of the SDLT 320. The SDLT 320 offers the highest storage capacity in the competitive lineup, with 160GB native/320gb compressed capacity. This is followed by the SDLT 220 at 110GB native/220gb compressed. The three Ultrium drives (HP StorageWorks Ultrium 230, IBM 3580 Ultrium 1 and Certance LTO Ultrium 1) offer slightly less capacity than the SDLT 220 (100GB native/200gb compressed). The AIT-3 drive has the same native capacity as the three Ultrium drives (100GB), but because Sony specifies a 2.6:1 data compression ratio for these drives, the AIT-3 is listed as supporting 260GB of compressed capacity. The data transfer rate metric is quite different, however. While the SDLT 320 stands out in capacity, it ties the Certance LTO Ultrium 1 for the fastest data transfer rate (16 MB/sec native, 32 MB/sec compressed) and is only slightly faster than the HP StorageWorks Ultrium 230 and IBM 3580 Ultrium 1, which offer 15 MB/sec native and 30 MB/sec compressed. The AIT-3 has a 12 MB/sec native and 24 MB/sec compressed data transfer rate (Sony quotes a 2:1 compression ratio for data transfer rate), putting it in second-to-last place, followed only by the SDLT 220. Other notable differences between the competitors include the following features and functions: Data Streaming Features As with the previous competitive lineup, all of these competing drives use their respective cache buffers and adaptive cache buffering techniques to try to keep data streaming from the host and reduce the need for time-consuming tape stops and restarts otherwise known as backhitching. The HP StorageWorks Ultrium 230 and Certance LTO Ultrium 1 tape drives, however, also offer supplementary data streaming features on their drives. The StorageWorks Ultrium 230 uses HP s DRM (described above) to provide a dynamic variation in tape speed from the drive s peak of 15 MB/sec native to as low as 6 MB/sec native. This feature works in both backup and 2 December 2003 12
restore activities. The Certance LTO Ultrium 1 uses the company s FastSense technology to perform a similar data speed matching function. In its implementation, there are five possible data rates changing in 2MB increments from 16 MB/sec down to a minimum of 8 MB/sec native. The firstgeneration IBM 3580 Ultrium 1 tape drive, Sony AIT-3 tape drive and Quantum SDLT 220 and SDLT 320 drives do not offer this feature, though the SDLT 220 and SDLT 320 do support Quantum s DDRA buffering feature. Cartridge Memory All three of the LTO Ultrium 1-based competitors support LTO-LTO-CM) in accordance with the Ultrium specification. Sony offers a similar feature called MIC on its AIT-based drives. Neither the SDLT 220 nor the SDLT 320 offer a cartridge memory feature. Diagnostics The SDLT 320 supports Quantum s DLTSage for predictive diagnostics and analysis of tape drive or media failures. The LTO Ultrium drives all have the same pre-specified set of poweron diagnostics in addition to their own enhancements. IBM incorporated SARS into its 3580 Ultrium 1 drive. Certance offers additional functionality and health testing using a Windows-based diagnostic. HP embedded additional preventative diagnostics into the StorageWorks Ultrium 230 s microcode, with access available through L&TT, via the host or through a library interface. Each drive also offers its own set of features that differentiates it from the rest of the pack. Those features include the following: Quantum SDLT 220/SDLT 320 Offers MRC heads, Pivotal Optical Servo, and the SDLT 320 is the current leader on the capacity metric. HP StorageWorks Ultrium 230 Comes with HP s OBDR system, DRM technology and a second Ultrium drive offering the half-height StorageWorks Ultrium 215 with 100GB native capacity and 7.5- MB/second native data transfer rate. IBM 3580 Ultrium 1 Was first to market with a first-generation LTO Ultrium drive and announced the 3580 Ultrium 1 drive as part of a full Ultrium product family, including an autoloader and two tape libraries. This product is available with the customer s choice of warranty one-year on-site warranty or three-year parts exchange warranty both at the same price. Certance LTO Ultrium 1 Tape Drive Uses a dual-chassis design to help manage airflow and cooling, offers FastSense technology for data-streaming management and features a Dynamic Power Down System to gracefully shut down the drive in the event of a power failure. Sony AIT-3 Features a 400,000-hour MTBF (at 100 percent duty cycle) and a compact 3.5-inch form factor. Table 4: Competitive Analysis: Quantum SDLT 220 and SDLT 320 Tape Drives Model Quantum SDLT 220 Quantum SDLT 320 HP StorageWorks Ultrium 230 IBM 3580 Ultrium 1 Certance LTO Ultrium 1 Tape Drive Sony AIT-3 Date Available January 2001 June 2002 November 2000 September 2000 (LVD), October 2000 (HVD) October 2000 January 2002 Native/Compr essed Capacity 110GB/220G B (1) 160GB320G B (1) 100GB/200G B (1) 100GB/200G B (1) 100GB/200G B(1) 100GB/260G B (2) 2 December 2003 13
Table 4: Competitive Analysis: Quantum SDLT 220 and SDLT 320 Tape Drives Model Quantum SDLT 220 Quantum SDLT 320 HP StorageWorks Ultrium 230 IBM 3580 Ultrium 1 Certance LTO Ultrium 1 Tape Drive Sony AIT-3 Buffer Size 32MB 64MB 16MB 32MB 64MB 18MB Sustained 11/22 (1) 16/32 (1) 15/30 (1) 15/30 (1) 16/32 (1) 12/24 (1) Data Transfer Rate Native/Compr essed (MB/sec) Cartridge 12 12 16 15 10 10 (with MIC) Load Time (seconds to BOT) Average File 70 70 71 73 76 27 (with MIC) Access Time (seconds) Total Access 82 82 87 88 86 37 (with MIC) Time (Cartridge Load plus Average File Access) (seconds) Drive Interface SCSI-3 Ultra2 Wide SCSI (LVD), Ultra1 SCSI SCSI-3 Ultra2 Wide SCSI (HVD or LVD), SCSI-3 Ultra2 Wide SCSI (LVD) SCSI-3 Ultra2 Wide SCSI (LVD), Ultra1 Wide SCSI-3 Ultra2 SCSI (LVD or HVD) SCSI-3 Ultra160 Wide SCSI (LVD/SE) Wide (HVD) Ultra1 SCSI Wide (HVD) SCSI (HVD), Native 1Gb Fibre Channel (Available in 3584 UltraScalable Tape Library) Recording Format Linear Serpentine Linear Serpentine Linear Serpentine Linear Serpentine Linear Serpentine 8-mm Helical Scan MTBF (hours) 250,000 at 100 percent duty cycle 250,000 at 100 percent duty cycle 250,000 at 100 percent duty cycle 250,000 at 100 percent duty cycle 250,000 at 100 percent duty cycle 400,000 at 100 percent duty cycle Power Consumption (Idle) SCSI 19W (with no tape) 19W (with no tape) 17.5W (with no tape); 19.7W (with tape (3) 22W INA INA 2 December 2003 14
Table 4: Competitive Analysis: Quantum SDLT 220 and SDLT 320 Tape Drives Model Quantum SDLT 220 Quantum SDLT 320 HP StorageWorks Ultrium 230 IBM 3580 Ultrium 1 Certance LTO Ultrium 1 Tape Drive Sony AIT-3 Power 27W 27W 32W (4) 38W 25W 21W Consumption (Writing) SCSI Power Consumption Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable (Sleep) SCSI Form Factor 5.25, Full height 5.25, Full height 5.25, Full height 5.25, Full height 5.25, Full height 3.5, Half height Warranty 3 years from ship date, Return to factory 3 years from ship date, Return to factory 3-year parts exchange, nextbusiness-day response 1-year on-site exchange or 3-year advance parts exchange (5) 3-year REACT Rapid Replacement (48-hour, crossshipment exchange) or 3-year mail-in (6) 3-year, 24- hour swap INA Information Not Available. (1) Assumes 2:1 data compression. (2) Assumes 2.6:1 data compression. (3) Based on an external HP StorageWorks Ultrium 230 tape drive using AC power-240vac/50hz. For an external HP StorageWorks Ultrium 230 with AC power 110VAC/60Hz power consumption (idle) is 15.9W with no tape and 18.4W with tape. The internal model is 10.9W (idle) with no tape, 12.8W (idle) with tape. (4) Based on an external HP StorageWorks Ultrium 230 tape drive using AC power-240vac/50hz. For an external HP StorageWorks Ultrium 230 with AC power 110VAC/60Hz power consumption (writing) is 29.8W. The internal model is 22.5W (writing). (5) Customer choice. Pricing is the same for both models. (6) REACT Rapid Replacement Program supported in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia. Strengths Capacity/Performance Advantage The SDLT 600 has a significant capacity advantage over its competitors. It also transfers data faster than the competing drives 6 MB/sec faster in the case of the StorageWorks Ultrium 460. DLTSage Diagnostics Quantum s DLTSage predictive diagnostic tool monitors tape drive and media health and has the ability to serve the data it tracks up in multiple ways (including an IR link) so that storage administrators can proactively manage the tape environment and avoid potential failures. 2 December 2003 15
Limitations No Data Rate Matching Feature All of the LTO Ultrium tape drive vendors implement a data rate matching feature that varies the drive speed in response to the speed of the data coming in from the host on at least one of their drives (IBM only offers it on second-generation LTO). The SDLT drives do not offer this functionality. Challenge From Competing Technologies Quantum continues to face a strong challenge in the midrange tape market from the LTO Ultrium products. Though SDLT did gain approximately 4 percentage points in unit market share against LTO in 2002 according to Gartner Dataquest, LTO still holds the majority share of the market. The most recently published figures show LTO with a 63.2 percent unit market share for the first half of 2003, as compared with a 36.8 percent unit market share for SDLT. Recommended Gartner Research Tape Drives: Overview, DPRO-90152 LTO Tape Technology Overview, DPRO-107662 HP StorageWorks LTO Ultrium Tape Drives, DPRO-94156 IBM LTO Ultrium Tape Products, DPRO-92231 IBM Finds Strong Acceptance for Its LTO-2 Tape Drives, HARD-WW-DP-0562 Tape Drive Results for the First Half of 2003, HARD-WW-DP-0573 Tape Drives: Comparison Columns, DPRO-93176 HP Is First to Market With LTO Generation 2 Drives, HARD-WW-DP-0427 Insight The SDLT 600 finally provides Quantum with a response to its second-generation LTO competitors. While the product launch is on schedule according to Quantum, it still comes 11 months after HP came out with its LTO 2 drive and eight months after IBM released its LTO 2 drive. The SDLT 600 s capacity is significantly higher than the competition, however, and it did beat the third LTO TPC vendor, Certance, to market. In addition to its capacity advantage, data transfer advantage (6 MB/sec over HP, though only 1 MB/sec over IBM), and its DLTSage diagnostic tool, Quantum also has an asset in its large installed base. Quantum caters to this with its strong feature sets and backward-read compatibility. 2 December 2003 16