ExaByte VXA-2

The ExaByte VXA-2 marks the development of VXA-1 technology and is thus downward compatible: VXA-1 tapes can be read. With 80 GB net, the drive and tapes are suitable for use in midrange servers where the transfer rate of 6 MB/s is acceptable. Under ideal conditions, it takes three hours and 42 minutes to fill a tape. In the test, 92 percent of the specifications were achieved; only 81 percent for the restore function. The transfer rate is not as quick as that of the Tandberg SLR100.

What's unusual about the ExaByte is the significance of two of the three LEDs on the front panel: they show the tape direction.

Because of its use of up to four heads for reading, the ExaByte VXA-2 drive offers very high data security.

At $999, the price tag on the VXA-2 is attractive, too. And at $1.11 a tape, it has one of the cheaper prices per gigabyte of all the drives. However, performance is weak and the equipment leaves a lot to be desired.

The ExaByte drive has no additional ventilation for the device's rear.