![background image](http://html2.mh-extra.com/html/quantum/dlttape-dlt-2000/dlttape-dlt-2000_handbook_3537084019.webp)
the Super DLTtape systems, leapfrog current and proposed competi-
tive technologies, with first generation Super DLTtape products offer-
ing transfer rates of 11MB/s and capacity of 110GB, advancing to at
least one terabyte (uncompressed) over multiple generations (see
Chapter 17 for a product roadmap).
The biggest barrier to adoption of new tape formats is that users are
very reluctant to change backup technologies unless the benefits are
overwhelming and compelling. The pain involved in converting
archive tapes, for example, seems to be so acute that most people
don’t want to try it. So any new technology that is not backward/for-
ward compatible can face an uphill battle to be widely accepted.
Today, DLTtape technology has a huge installed base, with over 1.5
million drives and over 55 million media cartridges shipped to cus-
tomers. These facts, combined with a clear technology growth path
and a proven commitment to generation-to-generation compatibili-
ty, add up to an island of stability in a world of changing technology.
Range of Products
Another trend in the tape environment is user demand for a range
of compatible products that will address different performance,
functionality, and price requirements. Users want a single solution
that works at many levels, not a different solution for every situa-
tion. Today, the DLTtape system offers a very broad range of choic-
es, ranging from stand-alone drives, to single-drive, multi-cartridge
autoloaders, to very large, enterprise-class libraries with multiple
drives, multiple ports, and hundreds of cartridges, all sharing com-
patible media, drives, and storage management software.
Ease of Use
Customers also want backup systems that are easier to use. In
response, the providers of backup solutions are starting to offer
bundled hardware/software solutions, which should lead to a
QUANTUM DLTtape HANDBOOK
1.11