Flashback                        cartridge tape subsystem, Unix
A Cartridge Tape Subsystem for Unix
 
Microbytes Daily News Service
Copyright (c) 1989, McGraw-Hill, Inc.
Phase IV Systems' low-cost, high-capacity cartridge tape
subsystem for Unix computers has a storage capacity equal to that
of a hard disk drive and a head-to-tape speed that matches a
150-inch-per-second, half-inch-reel tape drive.
 
Helical scan technology lets Flashback (PCS 2100), the
integrated driver/controller, store and retrieve 2.1 gigabytes of
formatted data on a single 8-mm tape cartridge at a rate of 246K
bytes per second. Low-power direct-drive motors move the tape at
less than one-half inch per second, while read-after-write
verification provides a nonrecoverable error rate of less than
10**13 bits read, and a mean time between failures of greater
than 15,000 hours.
 
A restore process provides easy recovery in the event of a
failure in the computer system -- you just replace, format, and
restore the affected disk. Flashback also supports traditional
tape-application functions such as journaling, data interchange,
and data acquisition. Other features include clear tape labeling,
which helps you retrieve files by name from the tape; operator
prompts; and mirror-image backup.
 
Flashback is compatible with NCR's 32 Series, Unisys's 5000
Series, all Arix (Arete) models, and Prime's EXL Series. It is
housed in a compact self-contained unit and includes an
integrated SCSI controller and formatter. A special filter lets
you use it with TAR, CPIO, and other Unix programs.
 
Price: L8000 to L15,000, depending on the configuration.
 
Contact: Phase IV Systems Ltd., Unit 6, Oxford Business Centre,
Osney Lane, Oxford OX1 1TB, UK, 44-086-579-2200.
 
                              --- Martha Hicks
 
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