Removable Storage Trends for Small Businesses

Removable disk storage isn't a new idea. In the 70's and 80's IBM sold a large number of disk packs to data center customers. According to this report on Search Storage, today, removable disk storage is usually an entire, standard disk drive and has become an important enterprise and SMB data storage option.

"One flavor of the technology, RDX, produced by ProStor Systems, has even spawned the RDX Storage Alliance, a trade group for participating companies, including Imation Corp. and Tandberg Data. RDX consists of a removable disk cartridge and an RDX dock. The cartridge has a built-in 2.5-inch hard disk drive (specific capacities vary) within a ruggedized cartridge that can tolerate a one meter drop. Current drives allow for data transfer rates of about 45 MBps. Quoted market prices for cartridges start above $150.

"According to David Hill, the principal of Mesabi Group, removable disk has a 'use case' that may appeal to many people but it isn't for everyone. But one major advantage that removable disk has is that it can store data in 'native format.' In other words, it can store it in the same format as primary storage without worrying about proprietary or tape-specific formats or the hassle of sequential access which tape presents. 'If you haven't invested in a tape infrastructure removable disk might make even more sense,' Hill said."