IBM to Offer Exabyte VXA-320 Packet Drives with eServer xSeries Systems

Exabyte Corporation, the leading innovator in tape backup, restore, and archival systems, have announced that IBM has agreed to purchase Exabyte's VXA-320 Packet Tape Drive for its popular IBM eServer xSeries systems.  IBM is the worlds number one server vendor.  VXA is Exabytes patented tape format that utilises discreet digital data packets rather than traditional linear tracks resulting in dramatically enhanced data reliability.

Our close relationship with IBM has been an important driver for the continued worldwide growth of VXA, said Tom Ward, president and CEO, Exabyte. IBM is renowned for offering proven hardware with an eye toward recognised industry standards. Todays announcement is a culmination of Exabytes ongoing commitment to meet IBMs exacting standards and will open up even greater market opportunities for Exabytes third-generation VXA products.

The VXA-320 Packet Tape Drive records up to 320 GB* to a single cartridge at up to 24 MB/sec.* Further, VXA-320 delivers four times the data rate and more than four times the storage capacity of the current DDS platform (DAT 72), and is still affordable for SMBs. 

All VXA-320 are fully read and write compatible with VXAs second generation, to protect VXA-2 users investment.  VXA-320 customers can use their same VXA-2 X Media tapes and immediately realise twice the capacity and speed.  In addition, only VXA offers three cartridge sizes (320/172/80 GB*), providing flexibility on capacity that best meets storage and budget needs and giving VXA-320 a clear price-per-gigabyte advantage over the DDS/DAT format.

IBM eServer customers need high-capacity, cost-effective tape solutions for their servers said Robert Amatruda, research manager at IDC. Exabyte demonstrates its commitment and support of IBM customers with its third-generation VXA tape drive, the VXA-320.

The VXA-320 Drive with a SCSI 3 Ultra 160 interface is available to order immediately by IBM eServer xSeries customers for internal server installation as part number 25R0045.