| As Robert Frost makes clear in his famous poem, | | | | different path. Advanced Intelligent Tape[TM] (AIT) |
| "The Road Not Taken," picking one path over | | | | data storage solutions from Sony provide a broader |
| another can make all the difference. While Frost had | | | | range of capacities, increased performance, better |
| other topics in mind at the time, his point is | | | | reliability, easier maintenance and a more strategic |
| nonetheless applicable to today's companies that are | | | | path to the future than the AITernatives. |
| using or considering linear tape formats such as DLT, | | | | Organizations choosing the AIT path will find |
| S-DLT and LTO as their data storage solution. | | | | themselves with a more flexible and integrated tape |
| Legacy formats such as Digital Linear Tape (DLT) | | | | storage format that can span backup needs from |
| were a reasonable data storage AITernative in the | | | | individual PCs, to workgroups, to the enterprise. |
| past, but a combination of new business challenges | | | | AIT is a proven storage technology with years of |
| and new technology choices are driving many | | | | successful enterprise deployments behind it. First |
| companies to rethink their tape storage path. For | | | | appearing in 1996, AIT is a compact, helical scan 8MM |
| example, conventional DLT systems are approaching | | | | tape format in a 3.5-in., half-height form factor. With |
| the end of their useful life cycle, with no well-defined | | | | its high capacity (up to 100GB per cassette), speed |
| way to add capacity without upgrading to a new | | | | and reliability, AIT is emerging as a more strategic |
| format. While Super DLT (SOLT) and Linear Tape | | | | tape storage path compared with linear formats such |
| Open (LTO) systems do have roadmaps to the | | | | as DLT, S-DLT and LTO. Consider the following |
| future, neither format offers a compatible solution | | | | advantages of AIT: |
| that can span the gamut of storage needs, from the | | | | * Reliability -- Consistent operation and assured |
| entry or workstation level up to the "Super Drive" | | | | reliability are two critical components for a tape |
| level. In addition, upgrades require a media change, | | | | storage system. AIT-3 drives are designed for a |
| making long-term use of linear solutions more | | | | mean time between failure (MTBF) of up to 400,000 |
| cumbersome and less flexible. | | | | hours (compared with DLT's 250,000 MTBF rating) |
| Perhaps, as Frost suggests, it's time to consider a | | | | and a 100% duty cycle. |