Overview of the Scalar i3 Tape Storage System

The Scalar i3 Tape Storage System is designed to provide mid-sized IT environments with secure, cost-effective backup storage and long-term data archiving capabilities. It offers a range of features and benefits that make it a compelling choice for organizations looking to manage their data growth while ensuring data integrity and security.

Scalability and Cost-Effectiveness

The Scalar i3 can start as a single 3U system and scale in 25-slot increments as data volumes increase. With its Capacity-on-Demand (CoD) software, the system can grow up to 18 PB in only 24U. This scalability allows organizations to align their storage capacity with their evolving data needs, eliminating the need for costly forklift upgrades.

Data Integrity and Security

Data integrity and security are paramount in today's threat landscape. The Scalar i3 includes all the security features as described in the Quantum Scalar Security Framework. It ensures that data stored for long-term retention remains secure and preserved in a readable state, protected against cyber threats. The system incorporates AES-256 data encryption, making it virtually impossible for unauthorized parties to access or view sensitive information.

Ease of Management

Quantum's iLayer management software, at the core of every Scalar library, simplifies system setup and management. With its intuitive, mobile-first management interface, users can quickly navigate through the setup process. The software also provides proactive diagnostics, ensuring the system stays up and running with minimal administrative involvement. This ease of management saves valuable time and reduces operating expenses.

High Storage Density

The Scalar i3 offers best-in-class storage density, allowing organizations to store up to 18 PB of data in just 24U of rack space. This high storage density helps reduce data center footprint, optimizing space utilization and lowering operational costs. With its 80 PLUS certified power supplies, the system also minimizes power and cooling needs, further contributing to cost savings.

Benefits of the Scalar i3 Tape Storage System

The Scalar i3 Tape Storage System offers several key benefits that make it an attractive choice for organizations seeking a reliable, scalable, and cost-effective data archiving solution. Let's explore some of these benefits in more detail.

Reduced Administration Time

Quantum's iLayer management software simplifies system setup and ongoing management, significantly reducing administration time. The intuitive, mobile-first interface guides users through the setup process, making it easy to configure the system to meet specific requirements. The software's proactive diagnostic feature ensures that the system stays operational with minimal administrative involvement, freeing up IT resources for other critical tasks.

Efficient Data Growth Management

The Scalar i3 is designed as an easy-to-manage, cost-effective, entry-level tape library. However, it has the flexibility to scale as storage needs change. With the Capacity-on-Demand (CoD) software licensing, organizations can increase the system's capacity in 25-slot increments, accommodating data growth over time. This scalability allows organizations to align their storage infrastructure with their evolving needs, eliminating the need for costly and disruptive hardware upgrades.

Enhanced Data Integrity and Security

Data integrity and security are top priorities for organizations in today's cybersecurity landscape. The Scalar i3 incorporates industry-leading security features, including AES-256 data encryption, to ensure that data remains protected from unauthorized access or tampering. Even if individual tapes or the entire library are stolen, the encrypted data remains safe and unreadable to unauthorized parties. Robust data security measures help organizations mitigate the risks associated with data breaches and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Cost Optimization

The Scalar i3 is designed to optimize storage costs while providing reliable long-term data archiving. The system's high storage density allows organizations to store large volumes of data in a compact footprint, reducing data center space requirements and associated costs. Additionally, the system's 80 PLUS certified power supplies minimize power consumption, resulting in lower energy costs. By leveraging tape storage technology, organizations can achieve significant cost savings compared to disk-based alternatives while meeting their data retention and compliance needs.

Use Cases of the Scalar i3 Tape Storage System

The Scalar i3 Tape Storage System is well-suited for a wide range of use cases across various industries. Let's explore some of the key use cases where the Scalar i3 can provide significant value.

Long-Term Data Archiving

One of the primary use cases for the Scalar i3 is long-term data archiving. As organizations generate ever-increasing amounts of data, they need a reliable and cost-effective solution to store and retain this data for extended periods. The Scalar i3 offers high-capacity tape storage, allowing organizations to archive vast amounts of data while ensuring its integrity and security. Whether it's compliance data, historical records, or research data, the Scalar i3 provides a scalable and efficient solution for long-term data archiving.

Ransomware Recovery

Ransomware attacks have become increasingly prevalent, and organizations must have robust data protection mechanisms in place. The Scalar i3, with its secure and offline tape storage, provides an additional layer of protection against ransomware. By storing data offline on tape cartridges, organizations can ensure that their critical data remains immune to ransomware attacks. In the event of a ransomware incident, organizations can restore their data from secure tape backups, minimizing downtime and avoiding ransom payments.

Enterprise Backup

Efficient and reliable backup solutions are essential for organizations of all sizes. The Scalar i3 offers high-performance tape backup capabilities, enabling organizations to protect their critical data effectively. With its scalable design, the system can accommodate growing backup requirements, ensuring that organizations can meet their Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs). The Scalar i3's integration with Quantum's intelligent iLayer management software simplifies backup operations and allows for seamless integration with existing backup workflows.

Compliance and Regulatory Requirements

Many industries, such as healthcare, finance, and government, have stringent compliance and regulatory requirements regarding data retention and security. The Scalar i3, with its robust security features and scalable tape storage, helps organizations meet these requirements effectively. By encrypting data at rest and providing secure offline storage, the Scalar i3 ensures that organizations can safeguard sensitive data and adhere to industry-specific regulations.

Resources and Support

Quantum provides a comprehensive set of resources and support options to help organizations make the most of their Scalar i3 Tape Storage System. These resources include documentation, compatibility guides, software downloads, and warranty information. Additionally, Quantum offers various support plans, including standard plans, professional services, and managed services, to assist organizations in deploying and maintaining their Scalar i3 systems. Quantum's training services, available through Quantum University, provide organizations with the knowledge and skills needed to manage and optimize their tape storage infrastructure effectively.

Conclusion

The Scalar i3 Tape Storage System from Quantum offers a scalable, easy-to-use solution for long-term data archiving and cyber-protection. With its robust security features, high storage density, and scalability, the Scalar i3 addresses the storage needs of mid-sized IT environments while ensuring data integrity and security. Whether it's long-term data archiving, ransomware recovery, enterprise backup, or compliance requirements, the Scalar i3 provides organizations with a reliable and cost-effective solution. With Quantum's extensive resources and support options, organizations can maximize the value of their Scalar i3 systems and confidently manage their data growth in a cost-efficient manner.