Spectra Logic releases new user interface for tape libraries

Business Wire, Sept 12, 1995

a leading manufacturer of 4mm and 8mm tape libraries, announced the release of the Revision 02.00 Shell for its Spectra 4000 and Spectra 9000 tape libraries.

The Shell firmware defines the appearance and capabilities of the Spectra Libraries LCD touchscreen user interface. The 02.00 Shell revision adds many new features which exploit the libraries graphical user interface and is easily installed from 4mm or 8mm tape. Spectra Logic customers under warranty or a current support agreement will receive the upgrade free of charge.

New features include:

bulk load and unload commands to facilitate removing multiple tape cartridges for off-site storage;

an embedded tape drive read/write confidence test to ensure data interchange among multiple tape drives;

password protection to restrict access to media and unauthorized hardware reconfiguration;

tape drive ECC rate processing to evaluate drive rewrite characteristics;

a unique queued unload/exchange command to allow software to virtually eject media for off-site storage (These tapes are then reported as if they had been ejected and can be physically removed when it is convenient.);

a tape drive cleaning monitor to protect the tape drive by measuring read and write efficiency.

The ability to add additional features and functions by uploading library firmware from a tape is in itself a feature of Spectra Logic libraries. The Spectra 4000 (DDS-2) and Spectra 9000 (8mm) were both developed to be upgraded in the field through both firmware upgrades and modular Field Replaceable Units (FRUs).

Additional drives, barcode capability, larger tape capacity carousels - and new Shell firmware -- can be added, allowing users to scale the capacity, throughput and functionality of their Spectra libraries.

A Spectra 4000 library can be field upgraded to include up to 60 cartridge slots and four DDS-2 tape drives (maximum 600 GB compressed capacity or 240 GB native). The Spectra 9000 can include up to four 8mm drives and up to 40 cartridges (maximum capacity 560 GB compressed, 280 GB native). Both feature the LCD touchscreen interface and optional barcode reader.

Spectra Logic has manufactured high-end data storage products since 1979. Now as a premier provider of tape library hardware and librarian software, the Colorado-based computer peripherals company manufactures a variety of high performance data storage products for a broad range of platforms.

For more information contact Spectra Logic, 1700 North 55th Street, Boulder, CO 80301 USA, telephone: (303) 449-7759, fax: (303) 939-8844, E-mail: library@spectra.wali.com or World Wide Web: http://www.spectra.wali.com.

CONTACT: Spectra Logic, Boulder

John Kranz, 303/449-7759

SRB Communications

Steve Bosak, 708/406-6130