In your article "SpectraLogic yanks dedupe limitation" (26th August, 2009), SpectraLogic’s Molly Rector suggests that the nTier product set is better than Quantum's DXi product in two respects – the ability to expand capacity post-purchase and integrated ability to export data to tape. I think it’s important to correct what appears to be some confusion on her part. First, DXi products DO, in fact, scale post purchase, to different levels depending on the product. Second, Quantum offers the same type of path-to-tape capability in its DXI7500 as Spectra’s nTier. However, given that many users would prefer to let the backup application control the tape creation, the DXi7500 also offers application-aware path-to-tape functionality in conjunction with those backup applications that support it, including Symantec OpenStorage (OST) direct tape creation. In short, it’s hard to see how Spectra can suggest it offers superior path-to-tape capability.

Bob Wientzen

Quantum