IBM RDX Removable Disk Backup Solution

The new IBM RDX removable disk backup solution is designed to reliably and cost-effectively help protect your business's valuable assets. It uses a rugged removable disk cartridge and docking station to provide an easy-to-use, highly secure, fast and portable answer to your data protection needs.

The IBM RDX Internal and External USB removable disk drives are shown in Figure 1.


Figure 1. IBM RDX internal and external USB drives

 

IBM RDX features high-capacity shock-resistant 160 GB, 320 GB, and 500 GB cartridges, making your storage options extremely flexible. Each is ruggedized to withstand a drop from up to 0.9 meters (36 in.) without damage. The RDX USB docking stations are offered in external stand-alone as well as internal 5.25-inch half height units to seamlessly integrate into your System x or BladeCenter S environment. The USB interface ensures a simple installation, while providing high performance with sustained transfer rates of up to 90 GB per hour.

The standard Yosemite Backup Basic with Disaster Recovery for IBM RDX application provides a wizard-based management approach to backup and recovery. The software includes advanced functionality such as bare metal disaster recovery and cartridge encryption features.
 

Table 1. Ordering part numbers and feature codes

The part numbers for the IBM RDX Internal USB Bundle include the following items:

• One internal carrier/dock (drive) to fit into a 5.25" HH bay
• One cartridge (either 160 GB, 320 GB, or 500 GB capacity)
• Documentation CD
• Software CD
• Four USB cables for internal tape connectivity:
  • 14-inch USB cable with type 2x3 connector x3200 and x3200 M2
  • 28-inch USB cable with type B connector for x3400 and x3500
  • 12.5-inch USB cable with type 1x6 connector x3650 and x3655
  • 40-inch USB cable with type A locking connector for x3400 M2, x3500 M2, x3650 M2, and other systems
• Mounting screws

The internal drive can be converted to a 3.5" form factor for use in some rack-optimized servers as described below in Supported Servers.

The part numbers for the IBM RDX External USB Bundle include the following items:

• One external carrier/dock (drive)
• One cartridge (either 160 GB, 320 GB, or 500 GB capacity)
• Documentation CD
• Software CD
• AC adapter (12 output; 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz input)
• 3 m external USB cable

The part numbers for the IBM RDX cartridges include the following item:

• One cartridge (either 160 GB, 320 GB, or 500 GB capacity)

Figure 2 shows the three available cartridge sizes.


Figure 2. IBM RDX cartridges

The IBM RDX drives have the following features:

• Affordable capacity: 160 GB, 320 GB, and 500 GB disk cartridges.
• Simplicity: With only the native OS, RDX provides random access to data and the convenience of drag-and-drop functionality through persistent drive letter access. It can also be addressed like traditional removable tape media, when used in conjunction with any of the supported backup applications.
• Flexibility: Internal and external RDX installation alternatives.
• Plug-and-Play connectivity: USB 2.0 interface for increased ease of use.
• Inexpensive performance: USB sustained transfer rate of up to 25 MBps.
• Portability and durability: RDX disk cartridges are shock-resistant, rugged, and removable for safely transporting offsite. Each is ruggedized to withstand a drop from up to 0.9 meters (36 in.) without damage.
• Investment protection: Carrier will support next generation capacities of cartridges.
• Effortless ordering: Internal and external single-cartridge bundles by capacity; additional cartridges can be ordered separately.
• Includes Yosemite Backup Basic with Disaster Recovery, a powerful and intuitive backup application.
• Secure: Cartridges can be password protected and software encrypted for extra security.

The IBM RDX drives have the following specifications:

• Up to 25 MBps native USB transfer rate
• Up to 500 GB native capacity
• Standard Yosemite Backup Basic with DR for IBM RDX application
• Hot-plug capability
• 5.25-inch Internal form factor, convertible to 3.5-inch form factor in certain configurations
• External USB stand-alone offering or internal docks can be used with external enclosure

IBM RDX Internal USB drive:

• Height: 41 mm (1.6 in)
• Width: 146 mm (5.75 in)
• Depth: 172 mm (6.8 in) - including bezel
• Weight: 635 g (1 lb 6 oz)

IBM RDX External USB drive:

• Height: 52 mm (2.0 in)
• Width: 110 mm (4.3 in)
• Depth: 177 mm (7.0 in) - including bezel
• Weight: 540 g (1 lb 3 oz)

IBM RDX cartridge:

• Height: 24 mm (0.9 in)
• Width: 87 mm (3.4 in)
• Depth: 119 mm (4.7 in)
• Weight: 173 g (6.0 oz)

The IBM RDX drives are supported in this environment:

• Temperature:
  • Operating: 10° to 40°C (50° to 104°F)
  • Non-operating: -40° to 65°C (-40° to 149°F)
• Relative humidity:
  • Operating: 20% to 80% (non-condensing)
  • Non-operating: 10% to 90% (non-condensing)

Warranty on the IBM RDX Internal Dock: 1-year customer-replaceable unit (CRU) limited warranty, or when installed in an IBM System x server or IBM external tape enclosure the internal dock would assume your system's or enclosures' base warranty and any ServicePac upgrade.

Warranty on the IBM RDX External Dock: Three year, customer-replaceable unit (CRU) limited warranty.

Warranty on the IBM RDX cartridges: RDX cartridges come standard with a 1-year limited warranty, or assume your IBM System x server, IBM external Tape enclosures, or IBM external RDX docks base warranty and warranty ServicePac upgrades during the base warranty period. RDX cartridges are not covered under post warranty maintenance contracts.

 

The IBM RDX Internal and External Docks are supported in the IBM System x servers listed in Table 2.

Table 2. Supported System x servers (Part 1)

IBM RDX External Dock	N	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
IBM RDX Internal Dock in an external enclosure (see Table 4)	N	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
IBM RDX Internal Dock installed internally in the server (see Table 3)	N	Y	Y	N	N	N	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	N

Table 2. Supported System x servers (Part 2)

IBM RDX External Dock	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	N	Y*
IBM RDX Internal Dock in an external enclosure (see Table 4)	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	N	N	Y	Y	Y	N	Y*
IBM RDX Internal Dock installed internally in the server (see Table 3)	N	N	Y†	N	Y†	N	Y†	Y†	Y†	N	N	N	N	N	N	N

* Connectivity to the BladeCenter S chassis is via the USB port in the media tray on the front of the chassis.
† To use the drive internally in these servers, the drive is converted to a 3.5-inch form factor, as described in the next section

See IBM ServerProven for the latest information about the devices supported by each System x server type. Either view by server or select the Tape backup units link: http://ibm.com/servers/eserver/serverproven/compat/us/

 

The IBM RDX Internal Dock can be installed internally in specific servers as listed in Table 2. Except where noted, the Internal Dock is installed in its standard 5.25-inch form factor.

As listed with a † symbol in Table 2, various servers support the Internal Dock mounted internally with the addition of a 3.5-inch enablement kit. Table 2 also lists the servers in which each enablement kit is supported.

Table 3. The 3.5-inch enablement kits for use with the IBM RDX Internal Dock when installed internally in the server

IBM DDS Tape Enablement Kit	43V5959	5387 or 4873	N	Y	N	N	Y*
IBM System x3650 M2 RDX-DDS Tape Enablement Kit	49Y9883	7551	N	N	Y	N	N
Tape Enablement Kit option for IBM System x3650 M3	59Y3806	1746	N	N	N	Y	N
IBM x3620 M3 Tape Enablement Kit	69Y0798	6419	Y	N	N	N	N

* The installation of IBM DDS Tape Enablement Kit in an x3655 is in the field only. Installation is not available as a factory installation (CTO) option.

 

The IBM RDX External Dock is designed to be used externally connected to the server or BladeCenter S chassis as listed in Table 2. The IBM RDX Internal Dock can also be used externally connected to supported servers (see Table 2) when installed inside one of the following enclosures and as listed in Table 4:

• IBM 1U Rackmount Tape Enclosure
• IBM 4U Rackmount Tape Enclosure (now withdrawn)
• IBM Half High Tabletop Tape Enclosure

Note: Each of these enclosures also requires an IBM USB Enclosure Adapter Kit, 44E8869, to route the USB cabling from the tape drive to the rear of the enclosure. The IBM USB Enclosure Adapter Kit includes the following components:

• USB adapter/connector
• One 3 m (12 ft) USB cable
• One 25 cm (1 ft) USB cable

Table 4. External enclosures for use with the IBM RDX Internal Dock

* These models are for customers in the Americas Group (AG - Canada, U.S., and countries in South America). These models ship with a NEMA 5-15P line cord.
† These models are for customers in the countries known collectively as Asia Pacific (AP) and Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA). These models do not ship with a line cord.
‡ See the above note.

 

This section illustrates how the IBM RDX USB Drives can be used in configurations.

External USB drive

Figure 2 shows the IBM RDX External USB Drive connected to a supported System x server.


Figure 2. The IBM RDX External USB Drive connected to an x3200 M2 server

The parts used are listed in Table 3.

Table 3. Components used when connecting IBM RDX External USB Drive to an x3200 M2 server (as shown in Figure 2)

Diagram reference	Part number/machine type	Description	Quantity
	Varies	x3200 M2 (or other supported server)	1
	362516X or 362532X or 362550X	IBM RDX External USB Drive (includes USB cable)	1

Internal USB drive

Figure 3 shows the IBM RDX Internal USB Drive installed in an IBM 1U Tape Drive External Enclosure and connected to an x3550 M2 server.


Figure 3. The IBM RDX Internal USB Drive installed in an IBM 1U Tape Drive External Enclosure and connected to an x3550 M2 server

The parts used are listed in Table 4.

Table 4. Components used when connecting RDX Internal USB Drive installed in External Tape Drive Enclosure to an x3550 M2 server (as shown in Figure 3)

Diagram reference	Part number/machine type	Description	Quantity
	Varies	x3550 M2 or other supported server	1
	44E8869	USB Enclosure Adapter Kit	1 per drive
	46C5364 or 46C5387 or 46C5388	IBM RDX Internal USB Drive	1
	87651UX or 87651NX	IBM 1U Tape Drive External Enclosure	1

The IBM RDX USB Drive supports the following software products:

• Symantec Backup Exec
• CA ArcServe
• Yosemite Backup

The IBM RDX USB removable disk back-up solution includes Yosemite Backup Basic with DR (disaster recovery).

The Yosemite Backup Basic with DR for the IBM RDX application provides a powerful, intuitive wizard-based management approach to backup and recovery, as shown in Figure 4. This enables you to effortlessly back up and restore all of your data quickly.


Figure 4. Yosemite Backup - wizards

Yosemite Backup Basic with DR makes scheduling backups easy through a simple calendar interface, as shown in Figure 5. For RDX, Yosemite Backup can automate and guide your cartridge rotation strategy. Automated email notifications can keep you informed of your backup completions or any problems encountered during backup operations.


Figure 5. Yosemite Backup - scheduling properties of a backup job

The advanced data encryption feature (Figure 6) helps safeguard against costly security breaches and exposure of proprietary data if a cartridge is stolen or lost. Yosemite Backup Basic with DR also provides software data compression to get the most efficient use of your RDX media.


Figure 6. Yosemite Backup - encryption properties of a backup job

 

The IBM RDX USB Drive and Yosemite Backup software support the following operating systems:

• SUSE Linux
• Red Hat Linux
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008

For more information, refer to these documents:

• IBM RDX Removable Disk overview and data sheet
  http://www.ibm.com/systems/storage/tape/rdx
• IBM RDX Removable Disk specification
  http://www.ibm.com/systems/storage/tape/rdx/specifications.html
• IBM RDX Removable Disk User's Guide
  http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=psg1MIGR-5079206
• Installation Guide for IBM 1U Rackmount Tape Enclosure
  http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=psg1MIGR-64787
• Installation Guide for DDS Tape Enablement Kit
  http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=psg1MIGR-5072866
• IBM US Announcement Letter
  http://ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?infotype=dd&subtype=ca&&htmlfid=897/ENUS109-008