3M exhibits next generation 10 GB half-inch tape cartridge; 50-fold increase in capacity over 3480.LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 17, 1994--3M Thursday unveiled a new 10 GB half-inch tape A magnetic tape format that has been in use since the 1950s. Second-generation computers used 7-track, half-inch tape in open reels that were threaded by hand. Third-generation computers used 9-track open reels. cartridge that will provide users with 50 times more capacity than widely used IBM (International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, www.ibm.com) The world's largest computer company. IBM's product lines include the S/390 mainframes (zSeries), AS/400 midrange business systems (iSeries), RS/6000 workstations and servers (pSeries), Intel-based servers (xSeries) 3480 technology. 3M's new product will be released in tandem Adv. 1. in tandem - one behind the other; "ride tandem on a bicycle built for two"; "riding horses down the path in tandem" tandem with IBM's New Technology Prototype (NTP (Network Time Protocol) A TCP/IP protocol used to synchronize the real time clock in computers, network devices and other electronic equipment that is time sensitive. It is also used to maintain the correct time in NTP-based wall and desk clocks. ) tape drive in early 1995 as part of a co-development agreement between the two companies. The new half-inch cartridge will provide users with 10 GB of uncompressed data capacity and a transfer rate of 9 megabytes per second (unit) megabytes per second - (MBps, MB/s) Millions of bytes per second. A unit of data rate. 1 MB/s = 1,000,000 bytes per second (not 1,048,576). (MB/s). These improvements represent a 10-fold capacity increase and a 300 percent increase in data transfer speed when compared with the 3490E cartridge/drive system. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Ken Schneider, business development manager for half-inch tape products, 3M Data Storage Tape Technology Division, the increased transfer rate of the new cartridge/drive system will significantly reduce operational time in data centers. In addition, the leap in capacity will dramatically shrink the amount of space users must devote to storage, Schneider added. The 3M cartridge and IBM drive are currently being used in field tests with seismic contractors in the oil exploration industry, where the need to store and quickly access large amounts of information is particularly important. 3M's new half-inch product will be used in a wide range of applications, including data acquisition, batch processing (1) Performing a particular operation automatically on a group of files all at once rather than manually opening, editing and saving one file at a time. For example, graphics software that converts a selection of images from one format to another would be a batch processing utility. , interchange, distribution, hierarchical storage management See HSM. , archiving, data backup and restore. The cartridge will be available through 3M's worldwide network of distributors and resellers in early 1995. Additional marketing information and suggested list pricing will be announced by 3M at that time. ``With performance and capacity continuing to be the primary needs for data-intensive organizations such as those in the geophysical industry, we believe this product effectively addresses the principal requirements of high-end users,'' Schneider added. The new 3M cartridge is based on the 3480 form factor, making it backward compatible with existing 3480 and 3490E storage and automation slots. The cartridge/drive system features a unique linear design that enables the tape to ``float'' over the drive head. This reduces wear on both the media and drive, enhancing the reliability and performance of the storage medium. The system's design also enables data center managers to start and stop the progression of the tape more quickly and easily than with helical scan systems, giving users greater flexibility in many applications. The new half-inch cartridge uses 1,100 feet of high-coercivity metal particle media that is specially formulated for higher capacity, performance and reliability. -0- NOTE TO EDITORS: 3M Data Storage will be located in COMDEX The former, premier computer trade show in the U.S. Although it grew into an end user event, it was originally created for dealers and distributors (it was the COMputer Dealers EXposition). , Booth No. L-1814 in the Main Hall, Convention Center. CONTACT: 3M Data Storage Products Division
Larry Teien, 612/736-5961
or
Fleishman-Hillard Inc.
Brent Bauer, 612/222-4885
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