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Enterprise Storage
Firefly Powers Down Disk Drives
We have ecologically friendly cars, so why not environmentally friendly storage devices? Thats what executives at a company called Asaca say they have designed with their new Firefly DM series, a disk-based library for backup that uses no robotics and can power-on or power-down at the flick of a switch. The Firefly DM backup library, available to the general market this quarter, stands just short of 6 feet tall and comes in configurations ranging from 12 TB to 48 TB. Within the FireFly, a maximum of 48 drives can be spinning at any time.
Read the full story on: CMP Media
Personal Storage
Tiny Braille Opens New Space for Storage
A team of European scientists is experimenting with a molecular-scale storage device that can be read like Braille and could lead to systems that hold nearly 100 gigabits of data per square inch. The researchers from the chemistry departments at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and the University of Bologna in Italy said they have discovered a class of materials that when gently nudged, form bumps in a predictable pattern that could be used to encode data. This technique represents another advancement in a field of research exploring ways to harness molecules for advanced data-storage methods.
Read the full story on: ZDNet News
Storage Business
Contractor Sues Oracle, 7 Other Firms Over Patent
Raytheon Co. is suing Oracle Corp. and seven other computer network and software companies, claiming they were using Raytheons patented technology for storage systems without permission. Raytheon said the firms are infringing its patent for a mass data storage library. Brocade, QLogic and the other network firms make components used in the storage systems, while software companies such as Oracle and Veritas develop programs to manage and backup data.
Read the full story on: Boston Globe Online
Oak to Sell Optical Storage Chip Unit to Winbond Subsidiary
Hoping to improve its cost structure, US-based Oak Technology has decided to sell its optical storage business to Cheertek, a spin-off of Taiwanese IDM (integrated device manufacturer) Winbond Electronics. Oak will shift its optical storage clients and products to Cheertek in return for a 20% stake in the company. Oak will also take a seat on the Cheertek board of directors. After signing a letter of intent on January 22, the two companies will formally close the deal next month
Read the full story on: DigiTimes