Fuji DDS DAT Backup Tape Technology

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By: Shawnpual

There are many data tape technologies competing in the data tape market. So, the customer has to make careful and wise decision to select the backup tape technology that offers the reliable and efficient backup solutions and also meets the increasing challenges and demands of the future. In this way the enterprise can better compete in the market and earn more profit as well.

The DDS/DAT technology continues to be one of the leading backup tape format best suited for the medium and small enterprises. DDS/DAT data tape technology is continuously flourishing and has gained popularity due to its outstanding, cost effective and efficient results.

Like the other data tape formats AIT (Advanced Intelligent Tape), SDLT (Super DLT), DLT (Digital Linear Tape) and SLR (Scalable Linear Recording), the standard base for data interchange in DDS/DAT technology is the open format. The data writing format in DDS/DAT is the “helical scan”. In this method the tape head writes the data diagonally across the data tape’s width.

The helical scan method has advantage over the other mechanisms. It allows overlapping and different angles for writing to the subsequent tracks. So, greater data recording capacity is achieved because the guard bands are not essential. The data format of DDS/DAT enables fast location of data and tracks. In order to make this possible, the rotating drum is inclined (from vertical at angle of 6°). The drum consists of 4 heads, 2 for writing and the other 2 for reading. These heads are at intervals of 90°. 2 tracks are written for each of the drum’s rotation. The reading head verifies the data recorded while if necessary, it is rewritten by the tape drive. The track’s linearity means that the straightness of the track with which it has been written to the tape. It is very much critical in order to ensure that it is always possible to recover the data.

Fuji has applied all its experience to its family of the DDS tape products. The investment made in the backup tape technology of DDS/DAT is secured due to its backward compatibility, outstanding reliability, option of further expansion for future requirements without compromise on investment done in the technology. The DDS tape format offers the performance, speed and capacity for the servers (entry level) and workstations.

The first generation of Fuji DDS tape drives was introduced in the year 1989. Their MP media is of 60 meter. Native capacity is 1.3GB and the data rate of 183 KB/s. The Fuji DDS-2 tape drives were introduced in the year 1993. Their MP media is of 120 meter. Native capacity is 4GB and the data rate of 360-750 KB/s.

The Fuji DDS-3 tape drives were introduced in the year 1996. Their MP++ (ATOMM) Media is of 125 meter. Native capacity is 12GB and the data rate of 0.7-1.5 MB/s. The Fuji DDS-4 tape drives were introduced in the year 1996. Their MP+++ (ATOMM) Media is of 150 meter. Native capacity is 20GB and the data rate of 2.4-3.0 MB/s. The fifth generation Fuji DAT-72 tape drives were introduced in the year 2003. Their MP+++ (ATOMM) Media is of 170 meter. Native capacity is 36GB and the data rate of 3-3.5 MB/s. The new and advanced DAT160 tape drive from Fuji utilizes the DAT-160 media which is 8mm wide). The native capacity is 80GB while with compression ratio of 2:1, it has compressed capacity of 160GB. The native transfer rate is 6.9MB/s and 13.8MB/s of compressed data rate. The Fuji DAT 160 tape drive is backward compatible both write and read with the DDS-4 and DAT-72 media.

For more details and online order, please visit ‘tape4backup.com’

Information about the Author:

Shawn Paul (Marketing Manager) Tape4backup.com 34972 Newark Blvd, # 501, Newark CA 94560 Tel: 888-491-4949 Fax: 888-449-5050 Email: sales@tape4backup.com

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