RDX Technology
Encyclopedia
RDX is a disk-based storage format developed by ProStor Systems Incorporated in 2004. It is intended as a replacement of tape storage
. RDX removable disk technology
consists of portable disk cartridges and an RDX dock. RDX cartridges are shock-proof and meet drop test requirements
of 39 inches (1 meter) onto a tiled or concrete floor without damage. Each cartridge contains a 2.5-inch hard disk drive. Inserted into the RDX dock, the medium sustains a data transfer rate of up to 45 MB per second, enabling the user to back up over 100 gigabytes of data in an hour. RDX technology is an attempt to combine the best characteristics of tape storage – removability, portability and low cost – with those of disk storage – reliability, fast data transfer rates and instant file retrieval.
A similar, competing technology is Iomega REV
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in the design of the study to ensure that all relevant factors were considered, including magnetic, mechanical, electronics and media effects. The test system included Seagate Technology Momentus 5400.3 mobile 2.5” hard drives. Based on the quantitative accelerated life test method, Percept Technology Lab’s accelerated life testing subjected a number of recorded RDX disk cartridges based on 2.5” HDDs (along with a sample group of standard 3.5” desktop HDDs) to a matrix of elevated storage temperatures and humidity as high as 80 degrees Celsius and 85% RH for an extended period of time. The final results use the Eyring life-stress model to predict that the RDX media lifespan in typical archival environments is at least 30 years with 99% reliability.
s, including:
Magnetic tape data storage
Magnetic tape data storage uses digital recording on to magnetic tape to store digital information. Modern magnetic tape is most commonly packaged in cartridges and cassettes. The device that performs actual writing or reading of data is a tape drive...
. RDX removable disk technology
Removable media
In computer storage, removable media refers to storage media which is designed to be removed from the computer without powering the computer off.Some types of removable media are designed to be read by removable readers and drives...
consists of portable disk cartridges and an RDX dock. RDX cartridges are shock-proof and meet drop test requirements
Reliability engineering
Reliability engineering is an engineering field, that deals with the study, evaluation, and life-cycle management of reliability: the ability of a system or component to perform its required functions under stated conditions for a specified period of time. It is often measured as a probability of...
of 39 inches (1 meter) onto a tiled or concrete floor without damage. Each cartridge contains a 2.5-inch hard disk drive. Inserted into the RDX dock, the medium sustains a data transfer rate of up to 45 MB per second, enabling the user to back up over 100 gigabytes of data in an hour. RDX technology is an attempt to combine the best characteristics of tape storage – removability, portability and low cost – with those of disk storage – reliability, fast data transfer rates and instant file retrieval.
A similar, competing technology is Iomega REV
Iomega REV
REV was a removable hard disk storage system from Iomega.The small removable cartridges store 35, 70, or 120 gigabytes and were based on hard-drive technology. Like a standard hard drive, the REV system used a flying head to read and write data to a spinning platter...
.
Archiving capability
According to a study performed by Percept Technology Labs, a U.S.-based hardware and software test lab, RDX media have an archival lifetime of 30 years or more. The test used industry standard methods for highly-accelerated life testing of storage media. ProStor collaborated with Seagate TechnologySeagate Technology
Seagate Technology is one of the world's largest manufacturers of hard disk drives. Incorporated in 1978 as Shugart Technology, Seagate is currently incorporated in Dublin, Ireland and has its principal executive offices in Scotts Valley, California, United States.-1970s:On November 1, 1979...
in the design of the study to ensure that all relevant factors were considered, including magnetic, mechanical, electronics and media effects. The test system included Seagate Technology Momentus 5400.3 mobile 2.5” hard drives. Based on the quantitative accelerated life test method, Percept Technology Lab’s accelerated life testing subjected a number of recorded RDX disk cartridges based on 2.5” HDDs (along with a sample group of standard 3.5” desktop HDDs) to a matrix of elevated storage temperatures and humidity as high as 80 degrees Celsius and 85% RH for an extended period of time. The final results use the Eyring life-stress model to predict that the RDX media lifespan in typical archival environments is at least 30 years with 99% reliability.
Distribution
RDX removable disk technology is sold through a number of OEMOEM
OEM means the original manufacturer of a component for a product, which may be resold by another company.OEM may also refer to:-Computing:* OEM font, or OEM-US, the original character set of the IBM PC, circa 1981...
s, including:
- Tandberg DataTandberg DataTandberg Data GmbH is a company focused on data storage products, especially streamers, headquartered in Dortmund, Germany. They are the only company still selling drives that use the QIC and VXA formats, but also produce LTO along with autoloaders, tape libraries, NAS devices, RDX Removable Disk...
, under the name RDX QuikStor - ImationImationImation is a US based multi-national technology corporation that designs, manufactures and sells recordable data storage media, consumer electronics products and accessories.The company is a 1996 spin off of 3M and is headquartered in Oakdale, Minnesota...
, under the name RDX Imation - DellDellDell, Inc. is an American multinational information technology corporation based in 1 Dell Way, Round Rock, Texas, United States, that develops, sells and supports computers and related products and services. Bearing the name of its founder, Michael Dell, the company is one of the largest...
, under the name RD 1000, - HP, under the name StorageWorks RDX.
- Lenovo, under the name Lenovo RDX.