Quantum StorNext File System Maintenance
side by side.
TechCare TPM vs. Quantum Hardware Support. Cost range, EOSL advantages, migration path and DACH compliance at a glance — for IT leadership and procurement.
Cost comparison
Example Quantum Scalar i6 tape library with 4-year Hardware Support: TechCare TPM roughly 34–54% below the OEM price.
Active EOSL lines
- StorNext M660 / M662 (Metadata-Controller legacy) · EOSL 2022-12-31
- StorNext M-Series M730 / M740 (Mid-Range Metadata) · EOSL 2026-06-30
- StorNext Pro Solutions (Media + Genomics Workflows) · EOSL 2029-12-31
Which StorNext components we service
- Xcellis Workflow Director
- Xcellis Workflow Director (metadata + NAS gateway configuration)
- Xcellis Foundation · storage
- Xcellis Foundation (NL-SAS and SSD tier, scalable)
- StorNext metadata controllers
- MDC pair for high availability · CPU/RAM/storage configurations
- SAN clients & connectivity
- SAN client servers (Linux/Windows/Mac) · 16/32G FC HBAs · 25/100 GbE
EOSL and lifecycle status of StorNext hardware
| Generation | Released | End of vendor support | TechCare TPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xcellis Workflow Director (Gen1) | 2015-2017 | 2022-2024 | Recommended |
| Xcellis Workflow Director (Gen2) | 2018-2020 | 2025-2027 | Supported |
| Xcellis Foundation | 2017+ | ca. 2024+ | Supported |
| Pre-Xcellis MDC (StorNext) | 2010-2015 | 2017-2022 | Recommended |
Why TPM maintenance for StorNext fleets
StorNext workflows in M&E and broadcast often run stable for years — when the pipeline works, refresh pressure is purely economic. Quantum Support for Xcellis fleets gets more expensive over the years without functionality changing. TPM is the economically clean alternative for hardware maintenance, the StorNext software subscription stays negotiable separately.
We service Xcellis and metadata controllers with OEM disks, cache modules, controller boards and FC/Ethernet HBAs. Quantum-specific is the configuration; components are often generic (typically Supermicro-based server hardware). This simplifies the parts pipeline and makes TPM economically attractive.
OEM vs. TechCare — where the switch pays off
The full OEM-vs-TPM matrix (spare parts, SLA tiers, language, sub-outsourcing, compliance docs, reporting) is the same for every Quantum line — see the Quantum battle card.
Stays with Quantum
- Quantum StorNext / DXi software licenses
- Quantum cloud-based analytics subscriptions
- Quantum TAC software tickets
Moves to TechCare
- Hardware defects (memory, disk, PSU, mainboard, modules)
- 24×7×4 on-site SLA with German-speaking field service
- Spare-parts logistics DACH + global hub network
- Fixed-price contract in 48 h, one inventory — one contract
DACH compliance by design.
BAIT/MaRisk documentation package, DORA Art. 28 contract template, ISO 27001 and GDPR-compliant media handling apply identically to every Quantum line — details on the Quantum battle card.
Migration path from first contact to hand-over.
Same four steps for every Quantum line: inventory → fixed-price quote in 48 h → contract (BAIT/MaRisk/DORA hooks) → hand-over with spare-parts provisioning. Details on the Quantum battle card.
FAQ on Quantum StorNext maintenance
- Which StorNext components do you service?
- Complete hardware stack: Xcellis Workflow Director (metadata + gateway), Xcellis Foundation (storage tier), standalone metadata controllers (MDC pairs for high availability), SAN clients (Linux, Windows, Mac OS), FC HBAs (16G/32G) and Ethernet NICs (25/100 GbE).
- What does TPM cost for StorNext compared to Quantum Support?
- 30 to 60 percent savings. A typical M&E configuration with Xcellis Workflow Director pair, Xcellis Foundation and 5 SAN clients is roughly 50–55% below the Quantum price for hardware support with TechCare. StorNext software subscription stays separate — it's a license, not hardware.
- What's the difference between StorNext software and hardware maintenance?
- StorNext consists of two commercial layers: (1) software license for the file system engine (StorNext Software Subscription), (2) hardware support for the Xcellis components. TPM covers only the hardware layer — the software subscription stays between you and Quantum. Customers needing software updates and new features keep the software subscription. We handle hardware response and parts.
- Can you service older pre-Xcellis StorNext configurations?
- Yes. Before Xcellis (pre-2015), StorNext configurations typically ran on Dell PowerEdge, HPE ProLiant or Supermicro hardware. We cover these fully — often even cheaper than Xcellis-specific configurations, because the hardware is generic. MDC pairs on Dell R730 or HPE DL380 are classic TPM cases.
- Which SLA levels do you recommend for StorNext?
- M&E workflows in broadcast and post-production are typically time-critical — we recommend 24×7×4 with onsite engineer for productive MDC pairs and Workflow Directors. For genomics pipelines or HPC storage as tier-2 (before long-term tape archive), 5×9 NBD can be economical.
- Do StorNext replication and tiering continue to work without a Quantum contract?
- Yes, provided the StorNext software subscription is active (or the installed StorNext version already includes these features). Replication, Storage Manager (tiering to tape/object), snapshots and FlexSync are StorNext software features — hardware maintenance is decoupled.