2 DDS

2 dds is another version of the older backup/restore technology now being replaced. Like 3 dds and dlt, it now suffers from significant limitations when compared with Tandberg Data's VXA Packet Technology

The past attractiveness of 2 dds (dds 2) is largely due to its low cost: tape drive costs have been low (generally under $1,000) and the tape cost has also been low (about $10-$25 per tape cartridge).

Limitations of 2 DDS

However, 2 dds tape drive users have made major concessions to enjoy these low prices: capacity (20GB to 36GB) has not kept pace with market needs, and speed has suffered (3MB/s, 10GB/h max.). Due further to old-fashioned track-based technology and head-to-tape alignment issues, media error rates have been high and restore dependability has been quite low.

Tandberg Data's VXA Packet Drives are the new standard for 2 dds tape drive users.

Advantages of VXA

With four times the capacity of 2 dds tape drive units, about twice the data transfer rate, and several orders of magnitude higher reliability, VXA Packet Tape drives and autoloaders from Tandberg Data offer 2 dds tape drive users a significant upgrade in capacity, performance, and dependability.

Please view this short multimedia tour.

New VXA X Tape media makes switching from 2 dds even easier

X Tape offers the scalability of three different cartridge capacities, compatibility with the next generation drive, and the ability to reliably restore data even under the most extreme conditions.

VXA X Tapes are available in 20/40GB (native/compressed), 40/80 GB and 80/160 GB capacities for the same VXA-2 drive, providing users the flexibility to choose the capacity that best meets their current storage and budget needs. They also have the ability to add capacity on demand, simply by using higher capacity VXA Tapes.

With VXA X Tape cartridge pricing comparable to 2 dds, users can now easily step up to enterprise-class backup and restore technology. The new low price of X Tape, along with all of the benefits of VXA Packet Technology, makes the VXA Packet Format the clear replacement for aging 2 dds.