Symply introduces Ethernet-connected LTO storage

The SymplyPRO Ethernet LTO appliances provide secure, shared access to LTO tape drives over a 10Gb Ethernet network.

Storage specialist Symply (IBC stand: 7.C21) has launched a new range of LTO appliances with Ethernet connectivity that expands its SymplyPRO family and introduces an impressive new flexibility to network storage.

The company targets data centres as well as media & entertainment, but reckons pretty much anyone can reduce reliance on dedicated and expensive servers by dispersing and de-centralising data protection tasks with readily available high- speed access to LTO.

Key features of the new SymplyPRO Ethernet LTO range include:

• Dual 10Gb Ethernet SFP+ modular connectivity

• Powerful ARM processor for optimized performance and reduced host-CPU load

• Up to 2,000MB/sec aggregate performance across 10Gb networks

• Built-in LTFS support for easy data interoperability

• Support for leading Data Protection ISVs

• Intuitive interface and diagnostics for easy setup and troubleshooting

The new units start at $7999 and are available with half-height LTO drives in single and dual-drive desktop and 1RU configurations, with 2RU rackmount configurations featuring full-height LTO drives offering native performance up to 400MB/sec per drive. Dual 10Gb Ethernet SFP+ interfaces offer flexibility in network connectivity. The appliance can support either an additional two LTO drives via a SymplyPRO SAS LTO making a total of four LTOs, or the appliance can be connected to a LTO tape library installed with one or two LTO drives.

At the core of these appliances lies a potent ARM processor, enabling lightning-fast command processing and data traversal on distinct pathways. This results in maximum block transfer sizes to the LTO drives across the Ethernet network, while integrated data acceleration technology ensures optimal performance without straining host system compute resources. 

The company reckons that this means the new units provide a remarkable 20% performance increase over conventional SAS-connected LTO drives. With dedicated Dual 10Gb Ethernet network connectivity, client systems can achieve aggregated performance of up to 2000MB/sec when reading from or writing to the LTO appliances. Which, it has to be said, is pretty quick.