Imation announced its roadmap for its high-performance RDX removable hard-disk-drive system at the 2011 Storage Visions Conference this week. The lineup based on the RDX storage platform is aimed at helping small and midsize businesses store, protect and connect business data.
Imation said the RDX portfolio–designed for backup, disaster recovery, and the enabling of secure and efficient use of cloud-storage applications–would feature several additions during the first half of 2011. These updates include the RDX “A8” multicartridge storage device, a network-attached appliance that holds up to eight RDX cartridges of interchangeable capacities. This new autoloader-like device offers iSCSi network connectivity, up to 8 terabytes of native capacity storage using eight 1TB cartridges, table-top or 2U high rack-mount configuration and remote management interface.
Another update is the USB 3.0 interface for single cartridge internal and external RDX docking stations, with HDD data-transfer rates up to three to four times faster than USB 2.0 when performing data backup and restore.
Imation also plans additional 2011 RDX roadmap investments in increased cartridge capacities, enhanced cloud storage applications, scalable and efficient storage, and government-grade (FIPS, or Federal Information Processing Standards) security features.
The RDX system combines elements of hard-disk storage, including random-access performance, high reliability and rapid capacity growth, with the backup and portability benefits of tape, all in a removable cartridge.
In addition to the A8 multi-cartridge device and USB 3.0 docking stations, existing Imation RDX offerings include the RDX docking station with USB and Serial ATA connections, cartridges available in 160GB, 320GB, 500GB, 640GB, 750GB and 1TB capacities, and Retrospect software featuring government-certified 256-bit AES encryption.
“The data storage and IT needs of a small or medium business are very similar to a large business in terms of backup, security, recovery and archiving. Yet research shows that few SMBs back up critical company data regularly, if at all,” said Subodh Kulkarni, chief technology officer and senior vice president of Imation.
“Imation’s RDX portfolio offers an easy-to-implement solution,” he added. “With a lower total cost of ownership compared to entry-level tape-based systems, forward and backward compatibility, interface flexibility and high performance, the versatility of an RDX system helps SMB customers establish a data storage and protection strategy that can keep pace with capacity growth demands. It also helps protect valuable business information and meet important legal requirements.”
The RDX system is designed to help midmarket companies store, protect and connect their data through the following applications: Storage and Backup, Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity, and Enabling Cloud Storage-a tool that helps enable SMBs to seed initial data to the cloud and accelerate data recovery should a need arise to restore data.
The company said more details regarding pricing and availability of the Imation RDX A8 device and USB 3.0 docking station would be available in early in the second quarter of 2011.