An exemplary storage system for storing data from a host system and emulating a storage tape device is presented. In one example, the storage system includes a compression device configured to associate with a controller of a plurality of storage devices. The compression device is adapted to receive a sequence of data to be stored, divide the sequence of data into two or more blocks, and compress at least two of the two or more blocks in parallel. The system may further create an index associated with the blocks of data to output the data as a continuous stream of data. The compression device may further include dual or multiple ports.