[Info-vax] Tape drives

[IanMiller]

On Aug 5, 8:44 pm, "Richard B. Gilbert" <rgilber... at comcast.net>
wrote:
> 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 My experience is five or so years out of date by now and things may have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!! ;-)



The supported tape libraries are listed at

http://h71000.www7.hp.com/openvms/storage/smstape_matrix.html

The 1/8 autoloader is the current equivalent for the TL891
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/en/WF05a/12169-304612-82176-82176-82176-3319912.html