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Magstar
In 1995. a new family of devices -- Magstar 3590 tape drives -- reset expectations for enterprise tape and became the platform upon which growing support for operating systems and
applications was based.
Magstar 3590 Advantages
- Metal particle tape
- Track-following servo
- Greatly improved function over 3480/3490 format
- 10GB of uncompressed tape capacity
- 9MB/second data rate
- Preservation of investment in tape automation (important to enterprise systems customers)
A significant performance and connectivity advancement soon followed with the 3590 Magstar ESCON Control Unit Model A0l in 1996. The next year, the 3494 Model B16 Virtual Tape Server (VTS) "virtualized" a tape image to the host for the first time and greatly improved
utilization of tape resources. The VTS optimized the filling of tapes while presenting a single image to the host computer and operational software. This seemingly simple function
dramatically improved and optimized tape storage and migration of large datasets.
In 1998, the Model 3590E doubled native capacity and improved performance of the 3590. This was followed in 1999 by the Magstar Extended Length Cartridge media, which provided 40GB of native capacity while preserving the existing automation and installed devices.
Justifiably proud, Reardon noted, "The accomplishments of this tape team could easily be
designated as some of the most significant in tape history. From 1995 to 1998, as the network world was unfolding, the tape team introduced a series of revolutionary and visionary products -- the 3590, the 3570 and Virtual Tape Server -- that uniquely improved our customers' ability to access and retain critical business information, and positioned them for the network storage explosion to come. These were NOT turn-of-the-crank products. They were fundamental shifts that irrevocably changed tape storage and information retention management and
performance for all time."
A revolutionary tape architecture was unveiled in 1996. The IBM 3570 Magstar MP with its 5GB cartridge was the first, small-form-factor, midpoint-load tape device. It marked the
introduction of a track-following, timing-based servo and several innovations that leveraged the technology of IBM disk storage. The capacity and performance of the Magstar MP 3570 was extended to 7.5GB with the enhanced capacity cartridge in 1997.
Stand-alone Magstar MP 3570 Tape Subsystem
An informal, internal push began in late 1997 within the IBM tape development lab to move the exciting technology developed for the Magstar MP 3570 into the existing product architectures. Eventually, this push evolved into an aggressive effort to establish with other storage industry leaders a truly open systems tape solution -- Linear Tape Open (LTO). IBM delivered key
ingredients of the format and the enabling technology for this effort. ² In less than two years, this technology moved from the laboratory to the marketplace. The IBM Ultrium LTO drive brought with it new automation solutions and reemphasized the cost advantage of tape storage. It also provided new fuel for the future. As the 20th century drew to a close, the IBM LTO was announced and a new technology roadmap began for tape. |
