Quantum Unveils Its Latest Scalar Storage Platform

Quantum announced a new Scalar storage platform optimized for storing and managing the ever-increasing volumes of unstructured data.

The first new products based on this platform are the Scalar i6 and Scalar i3 tape libraries and the StorNext AEL6 purpose-built rich media archive appliance. The new Scalar platform is the latest addition to Quantum’s multi-tier portfolio of workflow, hybrid flash, object-based, cloud and tape storage that enables customers to maximize the value of their data in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.

Addressing Massive Unstructured Data Growth

Customers are contending with massive growth of unstructured data, including video and other rich media types:

• Media and entertainment companies transitioning to 4K workflows.
• Security and video surveillance deployments adding more high-definition cameras and sophisticated analytics.
• Cloud storage providers expanding their customer base.

The Most Efficient Tape Storage Today

The new Scalar storage platform takes the benefits of tape to the next level. It offers best-in-class storage density — twice that of earlier-generation rack-mounted libraries — enabling organizations of all sizes to reduce their data center footprint and further reduce their storage costs. As an example, Scalar customers can vault tapes within a system to provide on-premise, monitored cold storage for less than $0.001 per GB, or $0.0014 per GB per month — a fraction of the cost of public cloud storage.

Other innovations contributing to the Scalar’s efficiency include:

• 80 PLUS® certified power supplies, a unique feature of the Scalar platform, minimize power and cooling costs and reduce the impact of data centers on the environment.
• Quantum’s iLayer™ proactive diagnostics resolve issues before they affect operations, to maximize library uptime and minimize operational expenses.
• Embedded compute capabilities eliminate the need for external application servers.
• Policy-based data integrity checking — with the ability to move data off suspect tapes — and in-library active vaulting enable the storage of petabytes of data reliably and cost-effectively for years.

Enhanced User Experience

Consumer IT has raised expectations for the user experience in the data center. As a result, the new Scalar platform significantly modernizes and enhances the user experience with features such as an all-new HTTP-based interface; automated setup, configuration and management tasks via web services; an intuitive, swipe-based local user interface design; and interaction via mobile devices.

Three New Offerings Based on the Scalar Platform

The first tape products based on the new Scalar platform are designed for three

Distinct environments:

• The Scalar i3 — Easy. Scalable. Efficient. Ideal for small and medium-sized businesses, the Scalar i3 delivers a new level of simplicity and scalability, providing up to 3PB of storage in only 12U of rack space.
• The Scalar i6 — Efficient, Intelligent and Enterprise-Scale. Scaling up to 12PB within a single 48U rack, the Scalar i6 is targeted toward highly demanding workflows and enterprise environments.
• The StorNext AEL6 Appliance — Powering Media Workflows. The new StorNext AEL6 combines the Scalar i6 library with Quantum’s StorNext® data management software, enhancing the StorNext AEL line of purpose-built, archive storage appliances for media workflows. StorNext enables easy access to data stored on tape, with options for CIFS, NFS, and RESTful interfaces.
• Availability and Pricing
• The Scalar i3, Scalar i6 and StorNext AEL6 will begin shipping next month, with list prices starting at $8,500 for the Scalar i3, $25,000 for the Scalar i6, and $42,500 for the StorNext AEL6.