DISC ArXtor FAQS

1. What is the DISC ArXtor Series?
2. What are the main differences between the ArXtor Lite and the ArXtor Appliance?
3. What are the differences between the DISC BD Series and the DISC ArXtor Series?
4. Will it be possible to upgrade BD Series to ArXtor Series?
5. Will the DISC BD Series be continued?
6. Will it be possible to upgrade an ArXtor Lite to an ArXtor Appliance?
7. Which operating system (OS) is used for the ArXtor Lite and the ArXtor Appliance?
8. Does the ArXtor Appliances have PCI Slots for additional cards ?
9. Is there an external Hard Disk used for the ArXtor Appliance?
10. What is the connection interface between the library and the embedded HDD array ?
11. Is a Hard Disk integrated in the ArXtor Lite?
12. Is cache memory integrated in the ArXtor Lite?
13. Is the ArXtor Series equipped with a redundant power supply?
14. What functionality do the USB Security Certificate Keys offer?
15. Which archiving software has been tested with the ArXtor Series?

 1. What is the DISC ArXtor Series?
The DISC ArXtor Series consists of:
ArXtor Lite Series: A full range of iSCSI Blu-ray libraries that integrate easily into any server and/or network environment.

ArXtor Appliance Series: A series of scalable Appliances which can be configured as Purpose-Built Archive Appliances, based on KVM open-source Hypervisor utilizing Intel VT-x technology, which can be configured with up to two Virtual environments,  eliminating the need for additional hardware and providing an unlimited number  of integration possibilities.

2. What are the main differences between the ArXtor Lite and the ArXtor
Appliance?

3. What are the differences between the DISC BD Series and the DISC ArXtor
Series?
The DISC ArXtor Series is a new designed product series. Although, mechanically based on DISC´s industry proven DISC Series “touch less media”, patented SmartPack™ and reliable robotics technology, the new ArXtor Series has been developed to satisfy new connectivity demands (iSCSI & NAS) and to provide enhanced user interface and system management capabilities to support intuitive and dynamic remote diagnostics.

The ArXtor Lite is the library-only version of the product, which can be compared in
function/features with the DISC BD series.

Main differences between the ArXtor Lite and DISC BD series are :

1. Connectivity
A) ArXtor = iSCSI = Drives and media changer over IP
B) DISC BD series = SAS/LVD SCSI

2) Diagnostics
A) ArXtor = Front panel touch display & Web client
B) DISC BD series = 2 X 16 character display plus push buttons

4. Will it be possible to upgrade BD Series to ArXtor Series?
It is not possible to field upgrade a DISC BD series library to an ArXtor library. Upgrading
the system requires replacement of the complete system, i.e. effectively a new ArXtor system. Upgrading can be discussed with your DISC representative.

5. Will the DISC Series be continued?
The end of life of the DISC BD Series is projected in Q4 2013.
End of supportis projected in Q4 2019.

6. Will it be possible to upgrade an ArXtor Lite to a ArXtor Appliance?
Yes. This upgrade involves changing the processor on the motherboard, adding memory and hard disks to the system along with a reconfiguration of the software.

7. Which operating system (OS) is used for the ArXtor Lite and the ArXtor  Appliances ?
Arxtor Lite: The ArXtor library control software runs under Linux. This software is closed to the user of the system and presents the complete ArXtor library to the user via iSCSI.
ArXtor Appliance: The Arxtor Appliance is based on the same library control software but
also includes the KVM Hypervisor environment. The KVM Hypervisor provides an
additional environment which runs in parallel with the controlling application.
The user can install multiple versions of Linux or Windows in this virtual
environment. The ArXtor library control software is completely closed for the
user and is only accessible by DISC development engineers. The KVM virtual
environment is open to the user and can be configured as needed.

8.   Do the ArXtor Appliances have PCI Slots for additional cards?
The motherboard has additional PCI slots, but these can only be used by the
ArXtor Library control software.  In principle the architecture allows the addition of PCI cards, but the use of this hardware from the virtual server environment will require DISC centered software development. Please contact your DISC representative if this is
relevant.

9. Is there an external Hard Disk bay used for the ArXtor Appliance?
An  external Hard Disk equipped with an iSCSI interface can be used. To date it is
not possible to connect external (third party) Hard Disks directly to the
ArXtor Appliance system in order to expand the hard disk capacity. DISC will
provide a future storage expansion option in development.

10. What is the connection interface between the library and the embedded Hard Disk Array ?
SAS connection.

11. Is a Hard Disk integrated in the ArXtor Lite?
No. The library control software runs from a Flash disk.

12. Is cache memory integrated in the ArXtor Lite?
No, the Hard Disk cache is a logical part of the middleware software and should be connected to the server running this software.

13. Is the ArXtor Series equipped with a redundant power supply?
Yes, (both ArXtor Lite and ArXtor Appliance)

14. What functionality does the USB Security Certificate Keys offer?
They provide different access levels for administrators, service engineers etc. to the
system.

15. Which archiving software has been tested with the ArXtor Series ?
Archiving software from QStar, PoINT and StorageQuest have all been tested and provide
working solutions.  Other archiving software versions can by tested at the request of the software manufacturer.

Download DISC ArXtor FAQS