Sony and Panasonic announced two years ago that a disc could store up to 300 gigabytes. Now, Optical Archive, a subsidiary of Sony, has released the Everspan-Library System, which can archive data for up to 100 years using 300-gigabyte discs. The system consists of a base unit, 14 expansion units, and a robotics unit, and can store up to 181 petabytes. Up to four systems can be linked, increasing storage capacity to 724 petabytes. Sony guarantees the durability of the optical storage media for at least 100 years if stored in the right environment, such as a data center. The next generation of the system will allow up to 500 gigabytes of data to be stored, and the third version will allow up to one terabyte.
The Everspan-Library System is the successor to the Sony Blu-ray System and offers significantly greater storage capacity at a fair price. The system uses 300-gigabyte discs with a transfer rate of up to 280 megabytes per second. It can store up to 181 petabytes and can be expanded by linking up to four systems. Sony guarantees the durability of the optical storage media for at least 100 years if stored in the right environment. The next generation of the system will allow up to 500 gigabytes of data to be stored, and the third version will allow up to one terabyte.
The Everspan-Library System is equipped with a special laser that can write on both sides of the disc, with up to three layers per side. The system is energy-efficient, requiring only nine kilowatts for the 181-petabyte expansion when used with a data center. When not in use, the energy consumption can drop to as low as two kilowatts. Sony has not yet announced a release date or price for the system, but companies that value energy efficiency will save money by using this solution.
