We just purchase a Magstar (in October).  I have never use the DLT so I
can't compare but below are some answer concerning the Magstar.

Tapes cost:     $65ea
Cleaning tapes  $99ea.  good for 100 uses.

It was fairly easy to setup with ADSM (our server is on AIX.)  I had a drive
break during shipment that caused a problem but once it was replaced I have
not had any problems.  We are still test but retrieval time has been great.
If you do chose the Magstar, there is a Red book that is a must - Magstar MP
3575 Tape Library Dataserver: Muliplatform Implementation.  It saved me a
lot of time for little cost.



> ----------
> From:         Fred J Stellabotte[SMTP:stellabotte AT hazeltine DOT com]
> Reply To:     stellabotte AT hazeltine DOT com
> Sent:         Wednesday, November 11, 1998 9:59 AM
> To:   ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
> Subject:      Should I buy Magstar or DLT ..??
>
> <<File: stellabotte.vcf>>
> Hi All ...
>
> We are in the final stages of purchasing ADSM ... we were planning to
> use DLT (StorageTek 9714), but IBM and one of their vendors is making it
> very attractive($$$)  to use IBM's Magstar ...
>
> It seems that if I use the StorageTEK 9714 Library with (60 Tapes) I must
> purchase
> the "Extended Device Support". But If I use IBM's Magstar Library with the
> same
> capacity (but 240 tapes) I don't have to purchase the Extended Device
> support
> ...
>
> With the quotes I am working with the Magstar Unit is more expensive but
> the
> total
> quote comes out less because of the Extended device support.
>
> Are there any real benefits to using Magstar ..???
>
> What is the average cost of the Magstar Tape vs the DLT tape ..???
>
> Is having a smaller tape a plus with ADSM ...?
>
> Is Magstart really faster in recovery as the Vendor Claims ..???
>
> Will IBM Abandon the technology ..???
>
> Thanks so much .....
>
> -Fred
>
>
> ____________________________________________________________
> >| ==  Fred J. Stellabotte
> stellabotte AT hazeltine DOT com
> >| ==  Manager Technical Support
> >| == _______________________________________________________
> >| ==  GEC - Marconi Hazeltine                               Voice:
> (516)262-8308
> >| ==  450 Pulaski Road                                            Fax:
> (516)262-8290
> >| ==  Greenlawn, New York 11740                        Beeper:
> (516)453-4228
> _____________________________________________________________
>
>