ADSM-L

Which Tape Technology?

2005-09-22 07:57:39
Subject: Which Tape Technology?
From: Richard Rhodes <rrhodes AT FIRSTENERGYCORP DOT COM>
To: ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2005 07:56:59 -0400
Hi Everyone,

Currently our tape environment consists of IBM 3494 libraries with 3590H
(60gb) drives.  It's possible that we may need to greatly expand our
environment with some new libraries and drives.  This has brought up a
discussion about what tape technology we would use.  Our environment
consists of a mix of large file backups (Oracle databases), small file
backups (Netware servers) and lots of stuff in between.  If we have to do
this, I really can't see purchasing more 3590H drives with cartridges that
are only 60gb.  I would think we would want to go to the newest 3592 drives
or LTO2/LTO3.

What are your thoughts/comments/experiences with . . . . .

1)  Given our mix of large and small file backups, would LTO tape drives
work as well as our current 3590's?
2)  Does anyone have any experience using IBMs newest 3592 tape drives?
3)  If LTO, is LTO3 the way to go, or stick with older LTO2?
4)  Or, should we stick with 3590 drives?

With any of the new tape drives, I'm concerned with throughput issues.  The
newest drives (3592 and LTO3) are so fast that I wonder if it becomes a
problem keeping data streaming to them.  The capacity is great, but if I
can't keep them spinning I wonder if the new drives could cause more
problems than they solve.

Of course, another option would be a VTL or just local DISK on the TSM
server.  We've done some initial pricing of some configurations (tape
libraries/drives/tapes,  disk, and vtl) and so far tape is the least
expensive.

Just looking for others experiences with this kind of decision . . . .

Thanks!

Rick


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