AIT:
Advanced Intelligent Tape
The advanced format that
grows with demand. The massive growth in
data storage and the capacity required to
back it up increases astronomically. AIT
is intended as a platform capable of meeting
that demand, without the future requirement
to change backup platform as capacity requirements
fluctuate. Data management & manipulation
requires quick efficient access, with network
backups completed in the shortest possible
window. Restoration requires quick seek
times, without endlessly spiraling through
hours or even days worth of data to find
specific files. AIT aims to meet these high
demands head on. |
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External
AIT Drive
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The
AIT format has been developed by SONY
with the future in mind. Using the most advanced
technology available, it anticipates the ever
growing demand for higher capacity storage and
performance. For this reason the AIT format
has been developed without any compatibility
trade-offs or compromises, therefore ensuring
a migration path which will allow increased
capacity and enhanced performance for years
to come.
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| Sony
market their AIT technology as the SDX3000xx series
of drives. All AIT systems incorporate this technology
leaving the AIT migration path future-proof and
standardised. Available in a tiny, 3.5 inch form
factor, Sony's AIT drives and media provide 25
GB (native) 50 GB (with 2:1 compression) capacity
in AIT1 format, and 50GB (native) 100GB (with
2:1 compression) capacity in AIT2 format, on a
single 8mm data cartridge. |
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Unlike
the linear serpentine recording technology used
by DLT drives, the Sony AIT drive technology
employs a helical scan recording style in which
data tracks are written at an angle relative
to the edge of the tape. This provides higher
density recording, enabling AIT users to lower
media costs and increase efficiency by storing
more data on a smaller amount of tape.
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AIT
Autoloader
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Unprecedented
reliability in data protection
AIT offers both a rapid transfer
rate and breakthrough data access times. Using
proven Advanced Metal Evaporated (AME) tape,
AIT libraries achieve a capacity of up to 2.8
TB with compression and a compressed transfer
rate of 6.0 MB per second.
AIT
drives set the standard for performance and
reliability. In order to optimise reliability
and data integrity, a built-in sensing system
has been incorporated to prevent premature wear
and contamination resulting from the use of
non-AME based tapes. AIT drives incorporate
an internal head-cleaner that delivers increased
performance and longer head life.
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MIC
(Memory In Cassette)
An impressive feature of the AIT
drive is the MIC (Memory In Cassette) option.
This memory chip contains volume reference information
that allows faster access to data by loading the
tape at specified partitions, without the need
to read the whole tape first. There are clear
benefits in speed gain for autoloader applications,
video servers, as well as for film editing and
storage management. |
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Maximised
Data Transfer Rates
Fast/Wide SCSI technology maximizes
data transfer rates of up to 3.0 MB/second (native),
6.0 MB/s (with 2:1 compression) and burst rates
of 20 MB/s to and from the host system. Advanced
Lossless Data Compression technology (ALDC), previously
available only in mainframe-type tape drives,
provides substantially greater compression when
compared to older, IDRC or DLZ compression algorithms.
Combined with Sony's Memory-in-Cassette chip,
these features make AIT the first tape technology
with near-online class speed. |
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Availability
of Technology
AIT
systems are available from a number of manufacturers
- all are identical to Sony branded systems and
are 100% compatible with all existing and future
AIT systems. AIT is a Sony developed technology
- not a proprietary drive type from a particular
manufacturer, making the choice of AIT as your
backup platform simpler and cost-effective.
Many AIT solutions will include everything you
need to implement AIT immediately in your backup
programme. LaCie AIT solutions for example, include
everything from SCSI cabling to the backup software
required for your operating system - ARCserve
NT, ARCserve NetWare, Retrospect for Mac, etc.
Simply specify your specific environment and client
requirements and the entire solution will be delivered
to you in one simple solution ready to implement
immediately. |
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| AIT
drives |
AIT1
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AIT2
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AIT3
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| Native
capacity (GB) |
35
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50
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100
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| Native
sustained transfer rate (MB/mn) |
180
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360
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360
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| Compressed
capacity (GB)* |
91
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130
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260
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| Compressed
sustained transfer rate (MB/mn)* |
360
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720
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720
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| Average
file access (s) |
28
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20
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20
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| Interface |
Fast-Wide
SCSI-2
SE (Single-Ended)
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Ultra-Wide
SCSI-2
LVD or SE
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Ultra-Wide
SCSI-2
LVD or SE
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| *assumes
compression ratio of 2.6:1 - AIT3 backwards
compatible with AIT1/2 |
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AIT
Autoloaders and Libraries
AIT libraries provide affordable,
automated backup and storage for today’s distributed
networks and servers. Fpr example, an AIT 15/30
library can be configured with 15 or 30 slots
and 1 or 2 AIT1 or 2 drives. Some may supply
a barcode reader as standard. To simplify media
management, a removable cartridge pack with
an integrated dust cover protects tapes throughout
media rotations.
Drives
can be upgraded easily by simply loosening a
set of quater-turn screws and removing the drive
mechanism. The library is compatible with all
appropriate backup and archive software packages.
This simple design is based on integrated picker
and uni-body robotic chassis. The intelligent
picker accomplishes all robotic motion with
only two motors while providing the necessary
precision and reliability required for datacenter-class
backup. The ability to pick and place media
with only a few moving parts is the key to the
AIT’s high reliability.
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