GoVault is a removable-disk backup platform targeted to small business, branch office, or high-end desktop deployments. The platform consists of two primary components: The removable disks themselves, and the dock that accepts them.

The removable disks are now offered in capacities of 40, 80, 120, 160, and 320 GB; with the vendor noting that all are read/write compatible and therefore interchangeable with any docking station. Cartridges are approximately 3.3 x 1 x 4.4 inches in dimension. The vendor states that you can expect the cartridges to have a 10 year or better shelf life, and the design is such that each cartridge can withstand a drop of up to 1 meter onto a hard surface. Access to the cartridges is protected via password.

A pair of docks are offered for use with the removable cartridges: An internal dock, which can be installed directly into the computer in either a 5.25 or 3.5 inch bay; or an external table-top version (4.6 x 2.5 x 7.2 inches). The internal version communicates with the PC over a SATA II interface while the table-top version connects via USB 2.0.

For overall performance, the vendor notes a typical throughput of 26 MB/sec (34 MB/sec max), and average read/write seek times of 12.5 and 14.5 milliseconds, respectively. The docks carry MTBF ratings of 375,000 hours and 300,000 hours (internal, table-top) with an expected service life of 5 years (assuming 2.75 insertions per day).

A key feature of the GoVault platform is its bundled backup software (Windows XP/2003/Vista), which itself includes media rotation management, file searching across multiple media, and de-duplication features. The de-duplication technology, in particular, can reduce the number of necessary cartridges by 20:1 over traditional (non-de-duplication) backup systems; by writing only data that has not already been previously written to the receiving cartridge, preventing the re-writing of redundant data. Additionally, each backup is performed as a full backup; thus incremental backup strategies (and the multiple cartridges to support them) are unneeded.

The GoVault platform is sold in multiple bundled configurations, depending on the dock configuration and the size of the cartridges desired. Most bundles are available with a choice of one or two cartridges (for onsite/offsite rotation; this configuration is recommended by the vendor). Bundle pricing starts at $289 (1 40 GB cartridge, internal dock, SATA II cables, data protection software and warranty); with individual 40 GB cartridges starting at $90.

Contact Quantum for further information.