INFOBrief
Dell™ PowerVault™ 110T
LTO™ Tape Drive
Key Points
The PowerVault 110T
LTO Tape Drive is an
enterprise-class tape
back-up solution
designed to provide
higher performance
capacity and reliability
while utilizing a new open
tape technology: Linear
Tape Open (LTO).

ESG/SSG Worldwide Marketing
The Dell™ PowerVault™ 110T LTO™ drive is a new Ultrium™
format- compliant tape drive, which is designed to be both ultra fast
and reliable. Ultrium is the tape format of Linear Tape-Open™ (LTO)
tape technology, which is optimized for high capacity, performance
and reliability. LTO technology -- a powerful, open tape architecture
co-developed by Hewlett-Packard (HP), IBM and Seagate -- is setting
the stage for a new generation of tape storage products that are
expected to surpass current tape capacity and performance
benchmarks, while maintaining the highest data integrity.
Page 1
November 2000
IB001

The PowerVault 110T LTO drive incorporates technology that delivers
the highest performance1 and reliability2 of any other tape drive
technology in the departmental and enterprise server marketplace, and
will provide additional options for customers currently implementing
DLT™ technology.

The PowerVault 110T LTO is based on a newly developed, open
standard and will directly compete with SDLT and DLT 7000 (Dell will
continue to offer the DLT 7000 drives for customers who require DLT
compatibility). Dell’s vision for tape is to provide customer options –
therefore Dell supports multiple tape technologies.

The LTO tapes offer maximum capacity of 100GB native, 200GB
compressed3. The tape drive performance – maximum data transfer
rate – is 15MB/second native, 30MB/second compressed 1.

The relative price of the LTO drive compared to DLT 7000 and DLT 1
drives, will provide increased value for those customers requiring
immediate performance and capacity going forward.
Background
At the same time that typical server storage capacity is increasing, the
backup window -- the time allotted to perform the backup -- is shrinking,
and for companies who operate seven days a week, twenty four hours a
day, that window is non-existent. As a result, customers require everincreasing capacity and performance for backup products.
Developed by a consortium (IBM, Seagate, and HP), LTO technology will
offer the capacity and performance tape technology that the market
demands with a maximum transfer rate of 15 MB/s (native) and media
capacity of 100 GB (native). Also, LTO technology delivers higher
reliability than other tape technologies (including DLT, DAT) as the 120T
LTO head life is engineered for 60,000 hours (compared with
DLT1’s/DLT7000’s 30,000 hours). Finally, LTO technology offers high data
integrity assurance through the utilization of its unique error correcting
code (ECC) scheme, read-while-write verification, and component
redundancy.
1
Maximum data transfer performance of 15MB/sec versus 6MB/sec for DLT8000, the
technology that had the highest performance on the market prior to LTO. Few users will
actually realize the maximum performance.
2
Expected head life of 60,000 hours, versus a maximum of 30,000 hours for other tape
technologies currently on the market.
3
The actual compression achieved by the drive depends on the data that is being compressed;
few users will realize the maximum compressed capacity.
ESG/SSG Worldwide Marketing
Page 2
November 2000
IB001
Although LTO technology is not DLT backward compatible, it offers much
needed performance and capacity improvements with a tape format
roadmap that promises rapid technology implementation that addresses
the market’s increasing storage needs.
Product Description
The PowerVault 110T LTO drive is a standard-length, 5.25-inch full height
form factor, half-inch tape drive, which reads LTO open standard media.
The drive can read and write up to 100GB of uncompressed capacity at a
15 MB/second (uncompressed) maximum sustained transfer rate across an
Ultra 2 SCSI interface. The design includes dual redundant servo heads
that can stay on track with the loss of one servo element. The LTO drive
also includes a dependable leader capture design to prevent the
“swallowing of the leader.” The PV 110T LTO tape drive is a
complementary offering to the DLT format, and is positioned to address
the high performance and capacity requirements of enterprise customers.
The PowerVault 110T LTO is available either as an integrated drive within
a server (for example, the PowerEdge™ 4400 or PowerEdge 6400), or as a
tabletop externally attached drive, see the photograph at the beginning of
this document. The external version is packaged in a housing that includes
its own power cord, SCSI cable, cooling fan and power supply. (A SCSI
controller card is optional.)
Tape Technology Formats
LTO (Ultrium) and digital linear tape (DLT) are the two enterprise tape
technologies currently offered by Dell to be used with PowerEdge servers.
The main differences between the two technologies are compatibility,
reliability, capacity, and cost.
LTO technology, a powerful, open tape architecture co-developed by HP,
IBM and Seagate, is setting the stage for a new generation of tape storage
products that are expected to surpass current tape capacity and
performance benchmarks, while maintaining the highest data integrity. It
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
DLT and SDLT are targeting the same market segments as LTO Ultrium.
DLT Technology has been widely accepted by customers as the tape
technology of choice. However, since this segment of the market demands
compatibility with existing DLT technology – SDLT is not currently an
option until backwards compatibility is available in the market
ESG/SSG Worldwide Marketing
Page 3
November 2000
IB001
As data protection/near-line storage demands continue to increase there is
a significant market opportunity for a new tape technology such as
Ultrium. The market is inadequately served by current solutions that offer
inadequate extensibility, a lack of interchange compatibility and a lack of
standards and availability of supply. Open standard formats such as
Ultrium ensure that end users are better served. A comparison of the
various LTO specifications as well as DLT is shown in Table 1.
Table 1
Feature Comparison of LTO and DLT Tape Technologies
Feature
DLT4000
DLT7000
DLT8000
SDLT
DLT1
Now
Now
Now
Calendar
Year 2001*
July 2000
December
2000
200,000
hours
250,000
hours
Not
available at
press time
Not
available at
press time
200,000
250,000
hours
hours
Capacity
(native)
20GB
35GB
40GB
100GB
40GB
100GB
Maximum
Capacity
(Compressed)
40GB
70GB
80GB
200GB
80GB
200 GB
Transfer Rate
(native)
1.5MB/s
5.0MB/s
6.0MB/s
11.0MB/s
3MB/s
15MB/s
(5GB/hr)
(18GB/hr)
(20GB/hr)
37(GB/hr)
(10GB/hr)
(54 GB/hr)
3MB/s
10MB/s
12MB/s
22.0MB/s
6MB/s
30 MB/s
Read DLT
2000
Read DLT
4000
Read DLT
4000/7000
Read DLT
4000/7000/
8000/DLT1
Read DLT
10,000
hours
30,000
hours
30,000
hours
Not
available at
press time
Availability
Mean time
between
failures
(MTBF) at 100
percent duty
cycle
Maximum
Transfer Rate
(compressed)
Read
Compatibility
Head Life
4000
30,000
hours
* Expected
ESG/SSG Worldwide Marketing
Page 4
November 2000
IB001
LTO
(Ultrium)
LTO
Ultrium
Open
Format
60,000
hours
Positioning LTO Versus DLT
The PowerVault LTO tape drive is a complimentary product when
compared with the DLT offering. The LTO product is the best option for
customers who:

Demand performance, and do not require the ability to have DLT
backwards compatibility

New, high growth customers that have not yet standardized on a tape
format, yet require high performance.

Are dissatisfied with being “tied” to a single tape technology

Welcome an open format that will give them alternatives
Features and Benefits
The features and benefits of the LTO drive include the following:

Performance
The maximum transfer rate of the PV 110T LTO drive is 15MB/s (or 30
MB/s compressed). This translates into a native sustained backup rate
of 54 GB/hr.4

Capacity
LTO media has up to 100 GB native capacity.5 This format also
supports 10, 30, and 50 GB cartridges.

Data Integrity
The LTO format uses an ECC scheme to reconstruct missing or
damaged data to maintain data integrity. The read-while-write feature
provides immediate verification of the write to ensure quality. If
necessary, the data is rewritten “down stream” without repositioning.
To ensure LTO drive head quality, an internal head cleaner is invoked
after a set number of tape-pulling hours.

Reliability
The PV 110T LTO tape drive boasts an impressive 60,000 hrs of head
life. A dependable leader capture design is used to prevent
“swallowing the leader”. Data rate matching allows the tape drive to
slow down to the host data rate (for data rates above 6MB/s), which
reduces the need for repositioning.

Manageability
Statistical Analysis Reporting uses a special chip embedded into each
cartridge that memorizes which recording tracks have been corrupted.
The reporting enables customers to evaluate how badly worn a tape is
to decide if they want to reuse it.
4
Few users will actually realize the maximum performance.
5
Few users will realize the maximum capacity.
ESG/SSG Worldwide Marketing
Page 5
November 2000
IB001

Reliable LTO Tape Media
LTO tape is designed to tolerate 1,000,000 passes. The increased
longevity of the tape helps protect customer investment and increase
reliability.
A summary of the features, functions, and benefits is also shown in Table
2.
Table 2
Features, Functions, and Benefits of the PowerVault 110 LTO Tape
Drive
Feature
Function
Benefit
Performance
The PV 110 LTO drive
boasts 15 MB/s maximum
data transfer rate (native).
This translates to 54 GB/hr.
Customers can back-up
more information in less
time.
Capacity
The native capacity of LTO
media is 100GB. Also
supported are 10 GB, 30
GB, and 50 GB media.
Customers can store
additional 65 GB of data
(native) compared with
DLT7000.
Data Integrity
The LTO drive uses a readwhile-write feature to
provide immediate
verification of write. Internal
head cleaner can be
invoked after a set number
of tape pulls.
Data is verified to be
written, which increases
data reliability. Internal
head cleaner provides
automated quality control.
Drive Reliability
Leader capture is designed
to prevent the “swallowing
of leader.” Data rate
matching prevents constant
repositioning of head by
matching drive speed to
host data transfer rate
Dependable leader capture
design provides more “uptime” for customers. Data
rate matching increases
head life.
Manageability
Statistical Analysis
Reporting uses a special
chip embedded into each
cartridge that memorizes
which recording tracks
have been corrupted.
Customers can see how
badly worn a tape is and
decide if they want to reuse
it.
ESG/SSG Worldwide Marketing
Page 6
November 2000
IB001
Hardware Requirements and Supported Software
Hardware
The Dell platforms that support the use of the LTO drives internally are the
PowerEdge 4400 and the PowerEdge 6400.
Operating Systems

Microsoft Windows NT 4.0

Microsoft Windows 2000

Red Hat Linux

Novell NetWare 5.0/5.1
Backup Software Supported
The following list of Backup Software are fully Dell tested and supported
for the PowerVault 110T and PowerVault 120T:

CA ARCserve 2000 for Windows NT/2000

ARCserveIT 6.61 for Linux

ARCserve 6.6 for NetWare

VeritasBackup Exec 8.0 for Windows NT/2000

Backup Exec 8.5 for NetWare
For More Information
For more information on LTO/ Ultrium technology please refer to the
following URLs:
http://www.hp.com/tape/ultrium/index.html
http://www.lto-technology.com/
Service and Support

Three-year limited warranty1 (three years of standard Next Business
Day2 parts replacement and one year of Next Business Day labor). .

7-day/24-hour Lifetime Telephone Technical Support for
troubleshooting and diagnosis of Dell hardware.

7-day/24-hour E-support services featuring extensive online support
capabilities
ESG/SSG Worldwide Marketing
Page 7
November 2000
IB001
For a complete copy of our Guarantees or Limited Warranties, please write Dell, USA, L.P.,
One Dell Way, Round Rock, TX 78682.2
1
Service may be provided by third-party. Availability varies. Technician will be dispatched if
necessary following phone-based troubleshooting.
2
Dell, PowerVault and PowerEdge are trademarks of Dell Computer
Corporation. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of the
Microsoft Corporation. Linear Tape-Open, LTO, and Ultrium are
trademarks of Hewlett-Packard, IBM, and Seagate. DLT is a trademark of
Quantum Corporation. Other trademarks and trade names may be used in
this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names
or their products. Dell disclaims proprietary interest in the marks and
names of others.
©Copyright 2000 Dell Computer Corporation. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the express written
permission of Dell Computer Corporation is strictly forbidden. For more
information contact Dell. Dell cannot be responsible for errors in
typography or photography.
ESG/SSG Worldwide Marketing
Page 8
November 2000
IB001