Here we go again

Right. Im currently speccing up a new fileserver. the hurdle i have at the moment, is regards to backups. this server is probably going to have between 100-200gb of data on it. theres not really any cost effective way of backing it up onto one tape (about 70gb is non-compressable) so my two options are.. to use a 6 tape dds4 autoloader that we already have.. or purchase a dlt80/160 drive. the money bods upstairs would prefer i use the dat changer as it saves them

I'd definitely ditch the DDS changer if you ever want your data back!

Take a look at LTO drives -or LTO2 if you have the SCSI performance available.

As far as I'm concerned, I don't especially like Arcserve or Backup Exec, but if I had to choose I'd go for Arcswerve.

Phil

LTO2 if you can afford.. The data transfer + 200gb native 400gb compressed

is the way to go..

I can only relate from Unix but if the autoloader you have, can it be used in a

stacker mode... If so then,,,

I would then create a script that would on 'end of tape' detected let the autoloader load the next available tape ... and then carry on... until the

backup was completed and the last tape was ejected.

Whats your backup window? as DAT is not the quickest way to backup...

Also is the 200gb fixed or is this likely to grow?

A cheapish solution...

You could buy a refurb DLT 8000 library that would give you the option to increase storage capacity without revisiting your backup again...

cheers

Dazz

What about a SDLT 160/320GB tape drive, thats what we use and backs up at a data rate of about 1GB per minute.

SDLT should be OK. I just prefer LTO because SDLT had some teething troubles, so we didn't sell them for some time.

Most SCSI controllers aren't fast enough to drive an LTO2 at it's full transfer rate (60mb/s). Using the changer is stacker mode will work, but you're losing a lot of the media management functions of your chosen software.

Phil

SDLT should be OK. I just prefer LTO because SDLT had some teething troubles' date=' so we didn't sell them for some time.

Most SCSI controllers aren't fast enough to drive an LTO2 at it's full transfer rate (60mb/s). Using the changer is stacker mode will work, but you're losing a lot of the media management functions of your chosen software.

Phil[/quote']

We have LTO2 ultrium drives on site here, that backup our san network.

we also have a couple of machines with DLT40/80 and a DLTIV both the DLT drives dont have enough uncompressed capacity.

What are the comparative prices for the drives + media of the sdlt or lto2?

And will these fit in a the usual 5/14 inch drive bay otherwise ill have to get a scsi card.

the machine this will be attached to is a Dell poweredge 1800 sata. will have 4 80gb discs in a raid 5 array... apparently it also has a scsi controller onboard. the reason i chose this over a more expanable 2600 is the 2600 is old tech.. using a old chipset and ddr2100 memory, when this 1800 is cutting edge with ddr2 memory and faster chipsets/processors.

LTO-2 is around

Fark! lol

What about the Sony AIT?

Ive been told they want to try to keep it as a full dell-specced server which may mean upgrading to the ultimate overkill of a pedge 2800 :eek:

AIT's OK these days -better than DDS, certainly. We don't sell much of it these days, so I can't really give much help, but it's moderately well thought of in the business.

Phil

AIT's OK these days -better than DDS' date=' certainly. We don't sell much of it these days, so I can't really give much help, but it's moderately well thought of in the business.

Phil[/quote']

What do you do for a living... you seem very knowledgeable

anyone know where i can get some prices for drives from?

anyone know where i can get some prices for drives from?

Think places like Dabs and Misco do them...

Rob.

SDLT 160/320 drive is around 2k exc.vat, tapes are around 25.

LTO2 drive is around 3k, dont know about media prices.

What do you do for a living... you seem very knowledgeable

anyone know where i can get some prices for drives from?

I support backup and storage systems! Legato Networker is my main product, along with Storagetek and ADIC hardware. Plus quite a bit of SAN stuff these days.

Phil

I agree native DLT is not big enough, hence the autoloader suggestion..

If costs were an issue..

For the LTO-2 based drive.. You could use a 2gb PCI fibre card and buy a

fibre LTO drive this would be far faster than SCSI....

cheers

Dazz

We've had HP Ultrium (LTO1) drives for a couple of years. They're 9 tape autochangers and originally cost about