RDX Storage Blog
RDX as a Replacement for Optical Disks
By Eric Slack, Storage Switzerland –
Optical disk storage is becoming obsolete. Historically, optical has had a place at the data storage table because it was the format that met the regulatory requirements of immutability and longevity. Certain documents needed to be stored in WORM data formats and be viable for decades. Optical has provided this data archive capability in the document imaging space for years and its cartridge form-factor enabled it to be carried off-site easily, providing a solution for DR as well. But things have changed.
Problem
Optical has never enjoyed the data density that magnetic storage does, so in order to keep increasing media capacity, new formats were continually developed. This required a migration of data from the old to the new format, or keeping the old technology drives to play legacy media. But migration was expensive, both in upfront costs and disruption and keeping old hardware around was also problematic, especially when it wasn’t being manufactured anymore.
WORM can now also be done in software by technologies like Content Addressable Storage (CAS) which uses traditional disk arrays and off-site replication to replace physically shipping media to a DR site. But for the users who developed processes around optical disk cartridges, the pure ‘online’ aspect of CAS disk storage and replication can be a significant change in workflow. For many, physically handling storage media is just simpler and more flexible. Also, these newer technologies can involve large investments that are hard to justify by much of the optical disk user base. For many, RDX could be the answer.
Solution
RDX is WORM and encryption capable, satisfying the regulatory requirements that drove users to optical disks for years. But it does much more. As a hard disk technology, RDX enjoys the data density that optical users could only dream about. At over a TB per drive, companies often need only a few pieces of media to hold all their data – greatly simplifying storage, handling and off-site transfer. Scaling to meet data growth is also easier. And since the drive upgrades occur inside the cartridge, the interface to the RDX dock remains constant as capacities increase, so users won’t face the format changes or data migration issues they did with optical disk drives.
Use cases for optical in document imaging applications typically involve small to medium sized enterprises and RDX as a removable cartridge media format fits the workflows that these companies have established. This workflow process includes the flexibility to direct attach storage devices to PCs or servers in distributed locations, storing media locally on shelves and often sending media off-site for DR in a briefcase or in Iron Mountain’s truck. As a ‘plug replacement’ for their existing optical drive or library, RDX enables an easy switch from this obsolescent format. While they are alternatives for providing data archive, DR and immutability, Content Addressed Storage and replication devices can do the job, but at a much higher acquisition cost and a significant integration effort.
As network attached storage, RDX libraries can provide a disk target for backup applications as well as an archive for document imaging. This means the same device can be used to replace the optical disk storing documents and the tape library storing backups. In addition to being the logical successor to optical disk storage, RDX can can consolidate the infrastructure, improve the performance of both backup and archive operations and save money in the process.
RDX Plugs a Hole in the Cloud
Cloud storage is an appealing solution for a number of applications. http://bit.ly/aj07SY Cloud providers are selling this technology to provide archive or reference data storage, capacity for general second tier data and some are beginning to tout the cloud for primary storage. But the most popular application is for data protection, or off-site backup and disaster recovery. Backup and DR are a natural fit for the cloud since change-based replication is a standard feature, which, along with deduplication, can reduce bandwidth requirements for these processes and make the cloud feasible for a large number of potential customers. Read more…http://bit.ly/aj07SY
by Eric Slack, Sr Analyst, Storage Switzerland
Storage Switzerland Joins RDX Storage Alliance
Storage Switzerland is now a partner in the RDX Storage Alliance. http://bit.ly/99vmpQ Storage Switzerland is an analyst firm focused on storage, virtualization and the cloud. Storage Switzerland’s goal is to provide unbiased evaluations and interview content on sponsoring and non-sponsoring companies through articles, public events, product reviews and the Storage Switzerland BLOG.
We’re looking forward to the wealth of storage knowledge that Storage Switzerland brings as a leading industry analyst group. We are excited to have Storage Switzerland join the RDX Storage Alliance as a partner and contribute their knowledge to this professional community.
The RDX July 2010 Newsletter…
The July 2010 Newsletter is out http://bit.ly/9nKFc2 Read about the RDX Storage Alliance expanding its presence into Japan.
“We are very pleased to see the growth of RDX users in Japan in a variety of solution use cases including back-up & archive, video production, document management, health care compliance, and cloud computing services,” said Karl Chen, Executive Director of the RDX Storage Alliance.
RDX Storage Alliance Event in Tokyo
On July 27, 2010, the RDX Storage Alliance will hold a customer and partner event in Tokyo, Japan. Karl Chen, will present RDX solutions along with IDC Japan. The event will include customers, partners, industry press and analysts.
RDX announces RDXstorage Japanese version
The RDX Storage Alliance announced its Japanese version http://bit.ly/cA4AFv of its web site at the Tandberg Data RDX Storage Symposium in Tokyo, Japan 7/26/10-7/27/10. The RDX Storage Alliance is expanding internationally with its first steps into Japan. The localized RDX site will support the professional storage community in Japan. OEM partners of the RDX storage technology around the world include industry leaders BDT, Dell, Fujitsu, Hitachi, HP, IBM, Imation, Maxell, NEC, ProStor Systems, and Tandberg Data. RDX removable disks are designed for portability and longevity, the rugged RDX cartridges are engineered to be durable so you can safely transport off-site while also providing the shelf life required for archival requirements.
Tandberg announces 1TB RDX cartridge!
Tandberg announces 1TB RDX cartridge! http://bit.ly/d9Ae0P first on the market
Video Workflow
New Video Workflow solution brief. Post-production is a costly process in video production. Video Workflow Scores of post-production houses may be involved in the production of the film each adding to the process. These production houses are often small businesses that maybe contributing such elements as sound, special effects and CGI. Each one of these houses must have a copy of the film to begin their work. In the past the film was duplicated, dispersed to the various houses and the original film was archived. Sometimes not all of the original film was archived. See our new solution brief on video work flow Video Workflow
RDX Alliance Expands Internationally
The RDX Alliance continues its growth by expanding internationally, Check out the Japanese website http://bit.ly/diJmPM OEM partners of the RDX storage technology around the world include industry leaders BDT, Dell, Fujitsu, Hitachi, HP, IBM, Imation, Maxell, NEC, ProStor Systems, and Tandberg Data.
BDT AG, an innovator in the technology of moving media, has become the latest partner in the RDX Storage Alliance.
BDT will provide multi-cartridge storage systems based on RDX technology. BDT AG, an innovator in the technology of moving media, has become the latest partner in the RDX Storage Alliance. Since1967, BDT has been a major developer and manufacturer of media handling solutions and is the major tape automation systems provider to large OEMs. BDT will develop, manufacture and market multi-terabyte data storage systems based on the industry-standard RDX removable disk technology.
BDT has a track record as an innovator in automated media handling technology. RDX removable disk storage solutions are gaining significant momentum. To meet customers’ needs BDT will provide multi-cartridge storage systems based on RDX technology that will further their backup, retention, archive and restore strategy.
We are clearly glad to have BDT become a partner of the RDX Storage Alliance and contribute their depth of knowledge to this professional community. BDT has been in the media handling industry for over four decades, and a large part of that has been storage media related. They will be a great partner in bringing a balanced viewpoint to the alliance. For more on this go to RDX Storage Alliance News.
DCIG Joins RDX® Storage Alliance as Partner
DCIG, an analyst firm in the storage and electronically stored information industries, has become a partner in the RDX Storage Alliance. DCIG is a leading analyst firm that analyzes software, hardware, and services companies within the storage and electronically stored information (ESI) industries. DCIG’s goal is to provide Buyer’s Guides evaluations and interview content on sponsoring and non-sponsoring companies to consumers, public relations firms, business analysts and other companies by way of BLOGs and Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds. We are clearly glad to have their support.
