[Info-vax] Tape drives

[Syltrem]

Hello everyone

I have a cluster of 1 Alpha ES40, 1 Alpha 4100, 1 Integrity RX3600

I currently have a direct attached (SCSI) mini-library TL891 for my backups. 
It is connected to the ES40.

The TL891 has 10 cassettes in a loader, and 2 tape drives. I load and unload 
the tapes with the ROBOT command (Media Robot Utility software or MRU).

I'm looking for a replacement for the TL891, and was proposed some drives 
using the LTO4 technology.
For example there is the MSL2024. It can be connected to the SAN with fiber 
and thus presumably be used by any of my 3 cluster members.

How can I manage backups on these units with VMS ?
Can I use my ROBOT command (I would guess not...). Else what can I use to 
load tapes from a DCL procedure ?
I know of ABS but never used it. I don't want to get into complicated 
configurations or use fancy history recordings of backed up files. I already 
have my own things. All I want is to be able to load and unload tapes in the 
drive, and use the good old BACKUP command to backup and restore.

If anyone has some experience with these LTO units, I would appreciate your 
comments.

Thanks !

Syltrem