The PivotStor AP Series product line consists of autoloading tape libraries in three rackmountable flavors. Tape cartridge support ranges from 24 to 96 total cartridges across the line, while the number of tape drives supported scales from 1 to 4 total drives. Both full and half-height LTO-3 and LTO-4 drives are available for the libraries.

Connectivity to the libraries is provided via FC, SAS, or SCSI interfaces (depending on drive; more below), with the vendor noting compatibility with backup software including BakBone NetVault, CA BrightStor ArcServe, EMC Legato NetWorker, and Symantec Backup Exec. SCSI and/or SAS cables are included with the units; as is an Ethernet cable for remote access management connectivity (via Web browser), and rack mount hardware. The remote access software enables setup, monitoring (logs), diagnostics, and firmware upgrades.

At the entry level of the product line is the TL2000 model, which supports 24 cartridges in 12 slot left/right magazines (the left slot includes a "mail" slot for the insertion and removal of individual cartridges without having to remove the entire magazine) and either a single full-height or dual half-height drives. Full height LTO-3/LTO-4 is offered with FC (4 Gb/sec) or Ultra320 SCSI interfaces; while the half-height LTO-3 connects via SAS or Ultra320 SCSI. The HH LTO-4 drive connects only via SAS.

The middle entry in the line is the 4U TL4000, which doubles the capacities of the TL2000 (48 slots in 4 12-slot magazines, and 2 full height or 4 half-height drives).

Finally, the current top of the line model is the TL8000, with space for up to 96 cartridges and also housing up to 4 drives (but all 4 can be full height drives, if desired).

Additional 4U and 8U expansion modules (due in the second half of 2008) are expected to allow for the doubling of the TL4000 and TL8000 model's capacity, respectively.

New to the AP series product line is the vendor's "Pivot Smart Architecture," which they state includes enhancements to the robotics technology aimed at increasing overall reliability of the boxes. The Pivot Smart Architecture includes the ability to use light sensors to position a magazine's cartridge slot; a dual-armed cartridge carrier aimed at removing the need to twist cartridges while pulling them during load and fetch operations; and a gear-based (as opposed to belts and pulleys) motor design.

The PivotStor AP Series tape libraries are available now. Contact the vendor for further information.