DupliDisk

Arco Announces New IDE Backup Device DupliDisk Makes Disk Mirroring an Affordable Option

arco.gif (31964 bytes)HOLLYWOOD, Florida - Arco Computer Products, Inc.,
http://www.arcoide.com, a leading provider of low cost IDE disk mirroring
technology, has announced the DupliDisk-Direct, a real-time
backup device designed for PC users who want the security of a
duplicate hard drive but not the high cost of a SCSI RAID system.

Until now, disk mirroring--writing data to two drives
simultaneously--has been pretty much restricted to computers
outfitted with SCSI hardware but the high cost of SCSI systems has
kept RAID (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks) mirroring out of
reach for most individual and small business users.

Because of its small size and unusual design, which allow it to be
plugged directly into one of the computer’s onboard IDE controllers,
the DupliDisk-Direct requires neither a PCI or ISA bus slot.  The
DupliDisk is a true RAID 1 device capable of mirroring up to two
pairs of IDE, E-IDE or U/DMA drives of any capacity.  If a hardware
failure disables one of the mirrored drives, the DupliDisk
automatically shifts operations to the functioning drive. LEDs on the
unit’s external panel change color to indicate a failed drive and an
audible alarm alerts the user of the drive failure but there is no
interruption of service.  The system continues to function normally
until the user can find a convenient time to power down and install a
new drive. ARCO’s ACP software provides a quick and easy way to
rebuild the new drive.  Users have the choice of either a bay
mounted or rear mounted external panel for the visual display.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
ARCO’s unique patented intermediate controller technology
provides continuous automatic hard disk backup and disk fault
tolerance. Once plugged into an onboard IDE controller and
attached to the primary and mirror drives with cables provided by
Arco, the DupliDisk operates transparently. All data sent from the
PC to the primary drive is automatically duplicated to the mirroring
drive, but the system (and end user) sees only the primary drive.

The DupliDisk uses no jumper settings and requires no drivers or
TSRs, so installation is a simple procedure. Because it requires no
device drivers, the DupliDisk is essentially operating-system
independent. It has been tested with systems running Windows 3.x,
95, 98 and NT, as well as OS/2, DOS, UNIX, Linux, Solaris386,
BSDI and NetWare.  MSR $250 U.S.

ABOUT ARCO
ARCO is an IDE technology company and offers ISA and PCI
versions of the DupliDisk as well as both 3.5-inch and 5.25-inch Bay
Mount units.

Contact ARCO at:  ARCO Computer Products, Inc., 2750 North
29th Ave., Hollywood, FL 33020, (phone) 954 925-2688, (fax) 954
925-2889, (e-mail) , (web site)
http://www.arcoide.com.