VXA

VXA is a tape backup format originally created by Ecrix and now owned by TANDBERG DATA. After the merger between Ecrix and Exabyte, VXA was produced by Exabyte Corporation. On November 20, 2006, Exabyte was purchased by Tandberg Data.

Exabyte and Ecrix describe the data format as "packet" technology as opposed to "linear" technology. This is a variation on helical scan technology. Instead of writing data in continuous, predefined linear tracks, data is written in addressable packets along the tape. The claim is that this gives better reliability and error recovery as well as being able to adapt to different data rates.

The VXA format competes mainly against the DDS, SLR, AIT, & DLT-V formats.

Generations

Overview

VXA-3

Exabyte released two different product lines based on VXA-3 technology, VXA-320 in 2005 and VXA-172 in 2006. VXA-172 drives are limited to 86 GB per tape cartridge, but can be unlocked (for a fee) to remove the limit. They are otherwise the same.

Notes

* Data Capacity figures above are for UNCOMPRESSED data. Exabyte assumes a 2x compression factor in their marketing material.

External links

* [http://www.ecma-international.org/publications/standards/Ecma-316.htm ECMA 316] Specification of VXA-1.
* [http://www.ecma-international.org/publications/standards/Ecma-222.htm ECMA 222] Specification of ALDC, the data compression standard for VXA-1.
* [http://www.vxa.com VXA Alliance]