[Info-vax] Tape drives

[Richard B. Gilbert]

Syltrem 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.

You might ask your sales person if a demo unit is available!

If so, you can learn interesting and maybe even useful things about how 
and how well it works with YOUR system.  I'd want to know how many hours 
and minutes it was going to take to backup my system.  If tape changes 
are required, how many and how often.  Is an operator going to have to 
empty and reload the stacker every four hours?  Etc.

My experience with DLT drives (TZ87, 88, &89) was that they were 
expensive and needed what seemed to be a great deal of maintenance!
My experience is five or so years out of date by now and things may have 
changed for the better!  Or worse!! ;-)