DiskXtender

DiskXtender from OTG Software delivers data storage management for Windows NT. With an architecture that is scalable from single-drive systems to enterprise-wide networks, DiskXtender supports many different device types (libraries, towers, standalone drives) and media types (WORM, erasable optical, CD-ROM, tape) for file storage and retrieval. DiskXtender provides a powerful virtual file system to manage all of your removable media under one, homogeneous file system. Automated file migration, task scheduling, comprehensive reporting, network administration, and many other advanced features distinguish DiskXtender as the most complete storage solution available for Windows NT.

Any NTFS volume on your network can be "extended" with DiskXtender. Once extended, your NTFS volume becomes a virtual file system, capable of managing many different types of removable media. Media can be added to an extended drive to access existing files (i.e. CD-ROM) or to provide storage for migration of new file data (i.e. optical and tape). Migration rules can be defined to customize a migration strategy and space management plan for client applications.

DiskXtender intelligently manages extended drives to get the most out of limited magnetic resources. Frequently accessed file data is kept on your hard disk for quick retrieval. Older, less frequently used file data is removed to increase available disk space. Each file's location on storage media is "tracked" by DiskXtender, so that it can be retrieved at a later time to satisfy user requests. DiskXtender manages file migration, storage media, automation of media changer libraries, and off-line media transparent to the user.

The DiskXtender Administrator allows configuration of the virtual file system from any Windows NT server or workstation on your network. Using this simple, Explorer-style GUI, administrators can control all aspects of the storage system, including hardware devices, media, migration rules, task scheduling, and extended drives.

Migration rules determine which files are migrated to which hardware devices and media. Rules can be defined to migrate entire directories or particular files by extension, size, or attribute. Schedules allow migration to take place at off-peak times, improving performance during high system activity.

DiskXtender implements the latest in technology to give applications fast access to files. File data can be prefetched and cached on extended drives for a configured period of time for faster retrieval. By caching files, DiskXtender minimizes media swapping, significantly improving system performance. DiskXtender provides you with flexible options for defining when files are purged from the extended drive. DiskXtender also supports direct read for applications that do not require caching.

DiskXtender provides scheduling for many time-consuming events such as file move to media, prefetch, and media tasks (format, label, copy, compaction, and file report). DiskXtender's flexible scheduling allows these events to occur at convenient times (e.g., nights or weekends), maximizing productivity during regular operating hours.

If you encounter errors during server operation, on-line viewers in the Administrator report error conditions. Standard Windows NT application logging and network broadcasting are supported. SCSI Manager and JUKE Manager provide low-level SCSI device and jukebox diagnostics. These powerful tools assist you in identifying and solving media and hardware problems.