I had asked about software/hardware recommendations to replace our existing Budtool/DLT4000 equipment. This is for backing up NetApp filers (NDMP support a requirement), SUN servers, and a Linux cluster primarily. Ability to scale to include Netware, and NT is also important, as well as the potential to scale to cover campus-wide backups of Win9x/NT/2000, Mac and other clients.
Summary of responses: Software: 1) Quick Restore from Workstation Solutions was recommended as the choice most closely resembling Budtool (licensing model, look and feel) and was thought of as having the best NDMP support today. 2) Networker from Legato, good client support but the NDMP support came last (out of the three choices). It was thought that v6 will have much better NDMP support. Plus the NDMP client pack is expected to be a free upgrade to Budtool owners (or maybe restricted to those on maintenance). 3) Netbackup from Veritas. NDMP support rated number 2, good client support. Quite a few people who had used both Legato and Veritas said they had migrated to Veritas (NDMP support being one reason).
Hardware: 1) DLT, by far most people recommended using DLT[78]000s. It's established, people trust the reliability. 2) AIT, on paper specs great. Of those who've used it, some have had good results with direct attach to NetApps, others only once the library was configured in DLT emulation mode. The DLT drives may have had more recommendations but that's very much skewed as most people who responded hadn't used AIT drives. I would like to hear from more people who've actually used AIT drivs.
Our current thoughts: Software choice: Veritas. The NDMP support today in Legato is not sufficient for our needs. Quick Restore doesn't have support for enough different clients, a smaller user install base, disaster recovery seemed to be more a focus for the upcoming v3 release. Hardware choice: AIT. We've had to replace our DLT7000 drive three times in the last two years, so we don't feel overlly confident about them (our 4000 stackers have been fine). The specs and road map for AIT look good (on paper). This being said, I still would like to hear from AIT users to feel better about the reliability of the media/drives.
Thanks to everyone who responded.