HP, IBM, and Seagate introduce Linear Tape-Open (LTO) technology for licensing to storage manufacturers

LTO technology yields Ultrium format with up to 200GB capacity and Accelis format with access time under 10 seconds

Silicon Valley, Calif (April 07, 1998) – Hewlett-Packard Company, IBM Corporation and Seagate Technology Inc. today unveiled Linear Tape Open(TM) (LTO(TM)) Technology, a powerful open tape architecture, setting the stage for a new generation of tape storage products expected to surpass current tape capacity and performance benchmarks while maintaining the highest data integrity. Licenses are available now to all manufacturers for the two formats based on the technology: Ultrium, a high-capacity, single-reel implementation that offers up to 200GB of capacity assuming a 2:1 compression ratio (100GB native) and Accelis, a fast-access, dual-reel
implementation that offers data retrieval in under 10 seconds.
LTO technology combines the advantages of linear multi-channel, bi-directional formats with enhancements in servo technology, data compression, track layout and error correction code to maximize capacity, performance and reliability. Both the Accelis and Ultrium specifications were derived from the LTO technology and use LTO media, channel and servo technology. Each format is expected to offer a four-generation roadmap for subsequent capacity and performance advancements. Further information about LTO technology can be found on a new website ( http://www.lto-technology.com) which also was launched today.
LTO addresses both read-intensive and write-intensive applications by specifying Accelis for fast-access requirements and Ultrium for high-capacity needs.
About Accelis
The Accelis format is designed for applications that require exceptionally fast access times, such as online data inquiry and retrieval. Tape devices based on the Accelis format are expected to provide data access in under 10 seconds. The Accelis format is expected to debut with capacities of up to 50GB compressed (25GB native) capacity on a dual-reel cartridge and deliver transfer rates from 20-40MB per second compressed (10 to 20MB per second native). The Accelis roadmap is expected to result in products with access times under 7 seconds, capacities of up to 400GB compressed (200GB native) and transfer rates ranging from 160-320MB compressed (80MB per second to 160MB per second native).

Source: IBM

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