OMTI 5000 Storage System Replacement for E&S Image Generators

The Arraid ASPX system provides a new and warranted equipment replacement for aging and refurbished OMTI 5100, 5200, 5300, and 5400 series disk and tape storage systems produced by Scientific Microsystems. OMTI drives were installed on several systems, but commonly provided operating and image software storage for Evans & Sutherland Image Generators, models SPX200, SPX250, SPX500, and SPX550. The ASPX replaces aging and refurbished OMTI 5000 series drives with current and reliable SCSI drive technology. No host system software or controller changes are required to replace a OMTI refurbished drive with the ASPX. The ASPX provides a complete bridge between the host controller and the ASPX's SCSI drives. While refurbished OMTI 5000 series drives are available, refurbished OMTI drives commonly fail within a few months resulting in system down time. The ASPX is provided as new equipment, with a warranty, and MTBF of 100,000+ hours. OMTI 5000 series drives were available in four different combinations of storage devices, with the most popular being a hard drive and cartridge tape. The tape could be either QIC or Digital Cassette. The ASPX-1 can be configured to emulate all of the popular configurations of OMTI 5000. Additional ASPX options include host system independent backup, restore, QIC or Digital Cassette tape cartridges converted to MO media, and multi-volume (provides several OMTI disk partitions on a single SCSI media). No refurbished OMTI 5000 series drive can match the reliability, features and customer support provided by choosing the Arraid ASPX system to replace your aging OMTI disk drives. Contact Arraid today to learn more about new drive replacements for aging computer systems.



The ASPX line of products is based on Arraid's ESP-1 emulation engine. In OMTI 5000 emulation, the ESP-1 manages SCSI like OMTI controller interface to communicate with the host system. This interface responds to commands and status requests, just like the original OMTI controller. Modern SCSI devices are used to replace the original MFM disk drive and cartridge tapes. Compatible tape drives are available allowing existing OMTI data to be read directly by the ASPX. These drives are not intended as backup devices.

The ASPX is fully compatible with existing E&S application software and the File Management Utility (FMU). Depending on the configuration selected, the ASPX can provide significant performance improvements especially in FMU.

Features and Benefits

• Replaces aging and refurbished OMTI 5100, 5200, 5300, and 5400 drives with new SCSI drives.
• Additional features such as host independent backup, restore, multi-volume, and removable SCSI media can be added.
• Easy to install. No hardware or software changes required, other than the OMTI system itself.
  • The retrofit kit is a direct form and fit replacement.
• All application and FMU functions are supported as is and have been thoroughly tested.
• A multi-line LCD display provides full control over configuration as well as device and system operation.
• High reliability with near zero maintenance required.
  • Greater computer system availability with lower cost of ownership.
• A variety of modern backup devices are available depending on Customer's preference and requirements.
  • With tape head alignment no longer an issue, media may be moved from ASPX to ASPX without concern for readability.
• The ASPX is configured using internal software via the operator panel.
  • The same ASPX model can be configured to emulate any of the popular OMTI 5000 configurations and storage capacities.
  • Flexibility in use with minimal spares required.

For More Information

Get the ASPX Data Sheet.
Use the highlighted menu selection, Products, to see Models, Enclosures and Popular Options.
Unable to determine if the Arraid ASPX system is right for your application? Contact Arraid or return to the Arraid data storage homepage to learn more.