Imation's new Ulysses technology, the first disk-enhanced removable media cartridge, addresses the needs of tape users looking for a disk-to-disk-to-tape (D2D2T) solution to improve restore time without having to adopt a complex new system or invest in hardware or software modifications. Because the Ulysses tape drive emulator emulates an LTO drive and the Ulysses media has the same form factor as LTO Ultrium cartridges, users can simply "drop in" the Ulysses cartridge into the existing automated tape environment with no changes to floor space, wiring, cooling or other infrastructure.
Imation's new Ulysses technology is a Serial ATA (SATA) 2.5-inch disk drive in an LTO Ultrium cartridge form factor. Used with the Ulysses tape drive emulator, the removable media accelerates backup and restore performance within an existing tape library. The emulator fits in any standard tape drive bay and is recognized by the host, backup software and storage management software as a standard tape drive.
The emulators are expected to cost $5,000 to $7,000, and Imation says the cartridges will be comparable to the cost of tape cartridges.
Imation is targeting the new offering at companies that already use tape, but that want to move a disk-to-disk-to-tape (D2D2T) solution to improve restore time without having to adopt a complex new system or invest in hardware or software modifications. A Ulysses-equipped library can restore files up to 10 times faster than a tape-only library, Imation says.
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