REV

Iomega's REV technology is a platform for data storage and backup targeted to individuals or small business use and is based on portable (removable) hard drive disks. The platform allows for the storage to and retrieval of data from such disks via multiple interface choices; including externally attached drives via USB and internally mounted drives with ATAPI or SATA interfaces. The vendor also offers an autoloader; an external interface that attaches via USB and provides automated storage for up to 8 REV disks.

At the heart of the REV platform are the REV disks themselves; removable and portable hard disks that each hold 35, 70, and soon 120 GB of uncompressed data. The vendor notes that the disks each sport an estimated shelf life of 30 years and can be directly (randomly) accessed in the same manner as a regular internal hard drive, including rewritten as necessary.

To use the disks, you plug them into one of the vendor's REV disk interfaces, which are offered in multiple flavors for both external or internal deployments. Each drive offering includes a REV disk and backup software; CA BrightStor ARCserve Backup w/Disaster Recovery, or Retrospect Express depending on the drive model and package offered (see the vendor for details). Additional multi-disk (5) "Backup Kit" bundles are also available with most drive flavors. Available drive interfaces include USB, ATAPI, and SATA (the latter two internally mounted drives).

In addition to the above interfaces the vendor also offers an external autoloader enclosure which is interfaced via USB. The USB Loader 560GB has slots to accommodate up to 8 70 GB drives, and includes CA BrightStor ARCserve Backup software. The loader features a maximum transfer rate of 25 MB/sec 25 MB/sec (outer disk; inner disk maximum transfer rate is listed at 12.5 MB/sec) though the vendor warns that some USB 2.0 controller chips cannot themselves exceed 15 MB/sec.

The 35 and 70 GB REV disks and enclosures are available now. 35 GB disks are approximately $50 each when purchased in packs of 5 ($59.99 individually), while the new 70 GB disks are $69 each, or about $63 each when purchased in a 5-pack. Drive list pricing ranges from $379.99 (35 GB SATA and ATAPI internal drives) to $1,499.99 (USB Loader 560 GB).

The 120 GB REV Drives and disks are expected to be available in April in USB and SATA internal flavors; with the ATAPI internal model due mid-year. Pricing has not yet been announced.

Visit the Iomega Web site for further information.