Hi LuAnn,
we are also in the exact same situation. We backup a large database and many 
smaller filesystems. We also have and SP and L32 3575. My thoughts are this: 
keep the magstar _and_ buy LTO. I plan to use LTO for the database backups (few 
but large files) and my offsite storage pool. Then keep using the magstar for 
the many, but smaller filesystem files.

Miles

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Miles Purdy 
Miles Purdy 
System Manager
Farm Income Programs Directorate
Winnipeg, MB, CA
purdym AT nisa.gc DOT ca
ph: (204) 984-1602 fax: (204) 983-7557
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>>> L.Mezera AT LABSAFETY DOT COM 08-Feb-01 12:10:13 PM >>>
>>> L.Mezera AT LABSAFETY DOT COM 08-Feb-01 12:10:13 PM >>>
We are reaching storage capacity limit in our current MagStar Tape Library.
We have TSM 3.7 (will upgrade to 4.1 later in the summer).  Our TSM
environment is in an AIX environment.  We have 6 RS/6000 AIX nodes on an SP
switch and about 30 NT servers that we back up nightly.

We are looking at upgrading or adding on to our existing library.  One
option our vendor would like us to consider is the use of a LTO system.  He
said that although it is not quite as fast our as MagStar the storage
capacity on the tapes are 100 gig native and 200 gig compressed.  Does
anyone have any opinions on that?

Thanks.
Lu Ann Mezera
Data Center Supervisor
Lab Safety Supply
(608) 757-4909 voice
(608) 757-4652 fax
l.mezera AT labsafety DOT com