Exabyte Announces Second Generation 160 GB VXA Tape Drive
VXA-2 Now Shipping to Select Channel and OEM Customers
BOULDER, CO, June 18, 2002 — Exabyte Corporation (NASDAQ: EXBT), a
performance and value leader in tape backup systems, today announced the
introduction of its second- generation VXA tape drive. The VXA-2
dramatically increases the capacity and performance available to tape users
who seek an alternative to DDS technology at similar pricing for drives and
media. In addition, VXA-2 delivers full read and write compatibility with
VXA-1, protecting the investment of users who have already chosen VXA
technology. Shipments to select channel and OEM customers began this month,
and general availability to all customers is expected by September this
year.
The VXA-2 drive can record 160 GB to a single cartridge at a data transfer
rate of 12 MB/sec (at an average 2:1 data compression ratio). VXA-2
delivers at least twice the data rate and four times the storage capacity
of DDS-4, and is competitively priced at $999 (MSRP) for an internal unit.
Three interface options will be available including Ultra2 Wide SCSI,
IDE/ATAPI, and FireWire, providing support for a wide range of computing
platforms and operating systems.
VXA-2 is positioned to replace DDS technology for users who are outgrowing
the limited capacity and performance of DDS tape drives. The maximum
capacity of a DDS-4 drive is only 40GB (with data compression), and is
inadequate to meet the backup requirements of most servers and workstations
shipping today. DDS manufacturers discontinued development of new products
beyond the current generation DDS-4, leaving millions of installed base
users facing growing capacity and performance needs without a compatible
solution priced below $1,000.
“Exabyte’s VXA tape technology offers excellent value and great
performance,” said Robert Amatruda, Research Manager at IDC. “VXA is a
compelling alternative to DDS tape technology with two generations selling
below $1,000.”
Commenting on the competitive pricing of the drives and tape cartridges,
Tom Ward, President and CEO of Exabyte, stated: “Historically, users have
looked to DDS for drives that deliver performance and reliability at the
right price. And, they have always rejected the option to purchase more
expensive tape drives. But VXA-2, just like DDS-4, is priced below $1,000,
and VXA media pricing is also very affordable. VXA-2 is the only drive in
the market with the ideal combination of value, performance and reliability
to replace DDS.”
Four cartridge capacities are available for VXA-2, giving users a range of
options to match their storage needs and manage their costs of ownership.
Compressed capacities of 40GB, 80GB, and 120GB are achieved with the
sameV6, V10, and V17 VXAtape=81 brand cartridges available for use with the
VXA-1 today. A new V23 cartridge for use only with the VXA-2 drive features
a compressed capacity of 160GB, and is ideal for users who require very
high capacity on a single cartridge. The MSRP for the V6 is $26.95, placing
it in the same price range as DDS cartridges of similar capacity. VXAtape
media pricing for all cartridge capacities maintains a price per gigabyte
very close to $0.50, well within the budget of DDS users.
Exabyte recently published its roadmap for VXA technology, which reveals
the next two generations beyond VXA-2. The third generation VXA-3, already
in development, will deliver cartridge capacity of 320 GB at a data
transfer rate of 16 MB/sec (with data compression). The compressed capacity
and transfer rate for VXA-4 will be 640 GB and 32 MB/sec. Introductory
pricing for VXA-3 and VXA-4 will be below $1,000, keeping VXA technology
within the price range of DDS users through the end of this decade and into
the next.
About VXA Tape Technology
First introduced in 1999, award-winning VXA tape products offer a unique
combination of reliability, performance, and value. VXA drives are the
ideal replacement for drives based on the popular DDS tape technology,
which has reached the end of its product roadmap. The ending of the DDS
roadmap means that millions of DDS users must migrate to alternative tape
backup technologies. VXA offers them the ideal solution with higher
capacity and performance at the same price point as DDS. VXA also offers
superior reliability, based on an innovative read/write architecture with a
highly reliable Internet-like packet format, designed for 100% data
restore. The published VXA roadmap extends through several generations into
VXA-4, ensuring long-term protection of users’ investments in drives and
media. Higher capacities and unattended backup are available with Exabyte’s
VXA AutoPak product line, a family of low-cost entry-level tape automation
devices featuring the VXA AutoPak 1×15 autoloader, the VXA AutoPak 2×30
mini-library, and the newly announced VXA AutoPak 1×10, a 2U rack mount
autoloader. VXA-1 tape drives are certified for Windows, Mac, and Linux,
and VXA-1 is an ECMA-certified tape standard. Computer manufacturers who
have chosen VXA include Apple, Compaq, Fujitsu, Logitec, and Toshiba.
About Exabyte Corporation
Since 1987, when it introduced the world’s first 8mm tape drive for data
storage, Exabyte Corporation (NASDAQ: EXBT) has been recognized as a
leading innovator in tape storage and automation. Exabyte tape solutions
offer value, performance and reliability for midrange servers, workstations
and computer networks. Exabyte products include Mammoth-2 (M2=81), the first
8mm native Fibre Channel tape drive; VXA=AE-1, the first packet format tape
drive; and the 110L=81 autoloader, one of the first tape automation units fo=
r
LTO=81 (Ultrium=81). Exabyte markets VXA, 8mm and MammothTape=81 drives and
automation for MammothTape, VXA, and LTO (Ultrium). Exabyte’s worldwide
network of distributors, resellers and OEMs includes IBM, Compaq,
Fujitsu-Siemens, Bull, Apple Computer, Tech Data, Ingram Micro and Arrow
Electronics.
For additional information, call 1-800-EXABYTE or visit www.exabyte.com.