Louisville, Colorado-based Storage Technology Corp has jumped into the IBM Corp AS/400 and RS/6000 markets with tape subsystems. For the AS/400, it is offering the StorageTek 9948 nine-track front-loading, drawer-mount IBM 9348-compatible subsystem that attaches to all AS/400 models via the 2607, 2608 and 2621 features; it attaches to the RS/6000 via the 2835 feature. It offers densities of 1,600 and 6,250 bits per inch. The StorageTek 4224 is a 3480-compatible 18-track subsystem 22 deep and attaches to the AS/400 via the 2602, 2607, 2608, 2621, 2647 and 2648 features and to the RS/6000 again through the 2835. It is offered in rack-mount chassis slides or desktop cover and an optional 10-cartridge-magazine automatic loader is available. It consists of one controller and one cartridge drive in a self-contained unit and the drive can be attached to front left or front right sides. And the StorageTek 4284 is a 3480-compatible 18-track cartridge subsystem that attaches to the RS/6000 and AS/400 via the same features as the 4224, and offers the same mounting options and magazine automatic loader. It also supports the new AS/400 D model feature 2621 and 2622, and both the 4284 and the 4224 will support full capability with IBM Improved Data Recording Capability. End-user price is $19,700 for 4224, $24,500. The 9948 is $16,340 on the AS/400 and $10,750 on the RS/6000. All three tape subsystems are available immediately.
