Tape Array 40 (TA40)
High Performance Ultra-SCSI Tape Units

SINGLE MOUNT TAPE UNITS TO 520 GB

The TA40 is a high performance tape controller which allows two tape drives to appear to the host as a single drive, thus doubling the data transfer rate and capacity. For users who need one on-site and one off-site backup, the TA40 can be set to produce "mirrored" backups, producing two identical backup tapes simultaneously without any additional system overhead or time penalty.

Mirror Mode provides 1000 Times the security of a single tape backup!

The TA40 supports 4mm, 8mm, AIT, DLT and 3590 subsystems and provides support for SCSI-3 host connections including Ultra Wide synchronous transfers (40MB/sec).

More Information on...

• Features
• Performance
• Technical Specifications
• Download a copy of the TA40 Product Brief in Adobe Acrobat® (.pdf) format
• See our new 80MB/sec array unit.

---

FEATURES

LCD Front Panel
During the operation the intelligent LCD front panel displays real-time drive and controller status, e.g. Drive Recovered Error Rate, Compression Ratio, Transfer Rates, Operating Mode, Data Transfer Count, Drive On-Line and Write Enabled

The LCD also allows a Menu Mode Operation for User configuration and additional status via the 3 button switches (Menu, Enter and Scan). Features include configuration for Striping, Mirror, Cascade, Off-line Copy/Verify and Internal Tape Drive diagnostics; additional status shows selected emulation and revision levels, drive error and monitor menu for SCSI command I/P capture.

Multiple Functionality
Stripe Mode provides fast back-up (double effective drive transfer rate).
Mirror Mode for faster disaster recovery with one backup being retained on-site for quick access, and one off-site for security.
Cascade Mode automatically writes data to second tape when first tape is full.
Off-line Copy/Verify Mode allows tape copying and verification without host intervention.

Mixed Tape Technology
The TA40 supports 4mm, 8mm, AIT and DLT, 3490 and 3590 tape drives in either the same type or mixed configurations.

Selectable SCSI I/F
Host: The standard configuration provides Wide Host interface connection for both Single Ended and Differential and is user selectable from the front panel.
Peripheral: Optional plug-in cards for dual channel wide single ended or dual channel wide differential.

Microcode/Emulation Update
The TA40 features Flash Memory technology allowing easy on-site installation of microcode from tape via the front panel menu mode and local or remote update via the RS232 port. This facility provides a wide range of connectivity to SUN, HP, DEC, IBM RS/6000, IBM iSeries (AS/400) , etc. and offers flexibility to other computer systems.

Half-Height Form Factor
Conforms to a 5.25" half-height form factor easy installation into Tower or other or other Tape Drive systems.

Self-Test Diagnostics
A unique set of diagnostic tests are initiated at power on to check all Hardware functions and system integrity. The status of each test is indicated on the LCD.

RS 232 Port
Allows connection to a terminal, modem or host computer providing remote configuration reporting, modification and real-time controller status information.

---

TA40 TAPE DRIVE PERFORMANCE

The following tables provide real test figures for the TA40 using 2 different drive types :

1. Sony AIT and
2. Quantum DLT7000.

For each of the selected block lengths, we take a sample over a 2 minutes 20 seconds period. We see how much data has been transferred for every 5 seconds of this 2 mins 20 sec period, how much data for the full period and number of recovered errors during this period.

By taking a sample every 5 seconds we can see if there any 'dips and troughs' in the transfer.

Devices under test = SONY AIT
Compression Ratio = 3.08:1
No of drives = 2
Record Mode = STRIPE

Block Length(HEX)	Transfer Rate(MB/sec)	Transferred Megabytes	Recovered Errors
00008000	12.49	1749	0
00010000	18.02	2523	1
00018000	18.07	2531	0
00020000	17.70	2478	0
00028000	18.71	2620	0
00030000	18.11	2536	0
00038000	18.87	2632	0
00040000	18.14	2540	0

---

Devices under test = Quantum DLT7000
Compression Ratio = 3:1
No of drives = 2
Record Mode = STRIPE

Block Length (Hex)	Tranfer Rate (MB/sec)	Transferred MegaBytes	Recovered Errors
00008000	5.01	702	2
00010000	14.38	2014	8
00018000	16.47	2308	6
00020000	15.52	2174	6
00028000	16.78	2351	7
00030000	15.87	2222	6
00038000	16.94	2372	5
00040000	17.51	2452	6

---

TECHNICAL SPECIFCATION

Bus Interface

Type	-	Host	SCSI-3 Ultra & Wide, Single Ended & Differential (standard)
		Peripheral	SCSI-3 Fast & Wide, Single Ended or Differential (optional)
Connector	-	68 Posn. Fine pitch IDC plug.
Transfer Rate	-	Host	Ultra synchronous 40Mbytes/sec (burst), >35Mbytes/sec (sustained)

RS232 Port
Connection via 10W HE14 plug.

Front Panel
2 lines x 24 character LCD with 3 integral push button switches, Menu, Enter & Scan. Cache Buffer - 4Mbytes Operating Requirements

Power Consumption	-	5V DC±5%@2A (max)
Power Connector	-	Standard 4W 5.08mm pitch
Temperature	-	0°C to 50°C (operating), -20°C to 60°C (storage)
MTBF excluding LCD	-	>200,000Hrs (estimated)

Physical Characteristics

Size (mm)	-	Max overall	=	42 (H) x 150 (W) x 228 (L)
		Chassis Only	=	41 (H) x 146 (W) x 228 (L)
Weight	-	1Kg (max)

Approvals - CE (pending)

Back to Top

Tell your friends about this page! Please address general feedback regarding the web site to: Copyright © 1997-2008. Telephone: 647-367-1039 Toll Free: 800-443-4542 Facsimile: 647-438-2242