[Info-vax] Tape drives

[sapienzaf]

On Aug 5, 9:58 am, "Syltrem" <syltremz... at videotron.ca> wrote:
> 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

I haven't used that specific LTO library, but I have used an HP LTO-1
library with a Modular Data Router (MDR) connecting it to the SAN.

The library device shows up as $2$GGAxxx and can be controlled from
MRU the same way you are doing now.  The tape drive(s) show up as
$2$MGAxxx.

(Incidentally, I have also used the TL891 via the MDR/SAN connection
and it also behaves the same as when it was on a direct SCSI cable.)