Qualstar Announces iSCSI Equipped Tape Libraries; Broadest Range of Libraries Maximizes Return From IP SAN Implementations

Business Wire, May 10, 2005

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. -- Qualstar(R) Corporation (NASDAQ:QBAK), a manufacturer of automated tape storage solutions, today announced that its widely regarded RLS- and TLS-Series automated tape library families are now available with IPSmart(TM) for connectivity to IP SANs via the iSCSI protocol over legacy IP networks.

Qualstar's IPSmart iSCSI option is optimized for the high sustained data transfer rates that the latest streaming tape drives provide, speeding backup and restore applications. iSCSI leverages existing network infrastructures and provides enhanced library location and access flexibility. Each IPSmart unit contains two 1Gb (GigE) Ethernet data ports, yielding an aggregate data throughput rate approaching 200 gigabytes per hour. Multiple IPSmart units can be utilized to provide greater bandwidth and multi-path connectivity. IPSmart supports the full iSCSI protocol, the Microsoft initiator, and the SNMP MIB 2.2 standards. Optional NDMP support is also available. The IPSmart option is available immediately in a compact 1U rack mountable or tabletop module, embedded versions are planned for later this year.

Qualstar RLS- and TLS-Series libraries provide the widest range of capacity and performance choices in the industry. Over 30 models in five distinct library families support the latest AIT, SAIT, SDLT and LTO high performance tape technologies. Library storage capacities span a broad range, from two terabytes to over 300 terabytes. Sustained data transfer rates can exceed 2.2 terabytes per hour, providing the performance range to meet the needs of department and application servers, scaling up to enterprise-class data centers.

"Qualstar's IPSmart option gives our tape library customers an easy, cost-effective iSCSI solution for IP SAN storage implementations," said Bob Covey, Qualstar's vice president of marketing. "iSCSI in our TLS- and RLS- Series libraries delivers excellent value for new customers, and provides our large installed base with more upgrade choices."

Qualstar automated tape storage products are available exclusively through Qualstar's worldwide network of authorized resellers.

About Qualstar Corporation

Qualstar is a manufacturer of automated tape libraries used for backup, archival storage, data protection and disaster recovery. Its products are known throughout the world for their rugged, Simply Reliable design yielding years of trouble-free operation. Qualstar tape libraries are sold, installed and supported worldwide by selected Value Added Resellers, Systems Integrators, Distributors and Original Equipment Manufacturers. Qualstar also designs, manufactures and sells ultra small, high efficiency open-frame switching power supplies under the "N2Power" brand name to OEMs. Qualstar Corporation is publicly traded on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol QBAK. More information is available at www.qualstar.com or by phone at 805-583-7744.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release concerning the future business, operating results and financial condition of the Company are "forward-looking" statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based upon management's current expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties that could cause actual performance and results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect the Company's actual results include the Company's ability to increase sales of its tape libraries which incorporate LTO, SAIT and SDLT tape drives, whether the Company's initiatives to maintain and increase sales of its tape libraries based on AIT tape technology will be successful, whether development of the Company's new enterprise-class tape libraries will be completed on time and achieve customer acceptance, rescheduling or cancellation of customer orders, unexpected shortages of critical components, unexpected product design or quality problems, and adverse changes in market demand for tape libraries or Qualstar's products. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Further information on these and other potential factors that could affect the Company's financial results or condition are included in Qualstar's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In particular, reference is made to the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, and to the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of its Form 10-K and its most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Qualstar and the Qualstar logo are registered trademarks of Qualstar Corporation. LTO and Ultrium are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation, Hewlett-Packard and Certance.