We've been using the Smell Powervault 127T LTO recently... They aren't the best put together units I've seen, but after getting a couple replacements =) They seem to work pretty well... basically clones of the IBM Ultrium (I think they are just rebranded.)


Regards,
Max


-----Original Message-----
From: James Brigman
To: toasters@mathworks.com
Sent: 8/28/2004 6:01 AM
Subject: RE: Tape Devices and Backups.

Jamie, et. al;

My comments apply to the Powervault 120T, the "shoebox" shaped systems.
That particular system looks like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39978&item=511879
7946&rd=1

Example of a system I'm not talking about:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3756&item=5119064
428

Best of luck on your quest for a better backup solution. Many of us have
been in the same position you find yourself in. Just be careful and do
lots of research. Those unfortunate enough to have ever used the
"Exabyte 120" can all (without exception) tell some horror stories that
involve lots of weekend work.

JKB

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-toasters@mathworks.com [mailto:owner-toasters@mathworks.com]
On Behalf Of James Brigman
Sent: Saturday, August 28, 2004 7:14 AM
To: toasters@mathworks.com
Subject: RE: Tape Devices and Backups.

Jamie;
The Powervaults are small, and once upon a time, we had some trouble
with one we had. There was some mechanical part that had to be replaced
and after that it worked fine.

The design of the Powervault is a bit bizarre. Remember the PowerEdge
4x00's?  It's got that same "tubular box" shape, which really isn't a
very good shape for working with. It severely limited the number of
tapes the Powervaults could handle, and there's no expansion of the unit
(tape capacity) once you buy it. If I remember correctly, you get 4 or 5
tapes plus a cleaning tape and you're done.

Also note: the powervault does not have any barcode read capability.
There may have been a version somewhere that did, but I never saw one.

Check up on support: we got rid of ours over a year ago, but if you can
buy support, they might not be too bad.

If you can get a StorageTek L20, that's going to be a better unit for
you. I saw one on ebay two weeks ago with an LTO tape drive installed
for about $5k. StorageTek support is expensive, but their products and
service are excellent. The L20's have barcode reading capability built
in.

JKB

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-toasters@mathworks.com [mailto:owner-toasters@mathworks.com]
On Behalf Of Rogers, Jamie
Sent: Friday, August 27, 2004 4:50 PM
To: 'toasters@mathworks.com'
Subject: Tape Devices and Backups.

I am outgrowing my existing DLT autoloader which is connected to a sun
workstation from which I rsh to do my dumps.  I am considering
purchasing
either new or used an LTO.  I'm running ONTAP 6.3.1 om my 760, I
presently
only have 1TB raw but expect that to increase in the near future.
Cost is an issue, I am on a very tight budget so used equipment is
pretty
much my only option.  Has anyone used a Dell powervault LTO with their
filers or via rsh?  Any other suggestions?  I see a lot of these on ebay
and
I'm wondering why? 

Thanks,
Jamie
 



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