On Feb 13, 2008, at 3:33 PM, Wanda Prather wrote:

OTOH, the LTO4 drives will require a new library.  The TS3500
library is my
favorite library out there; it is even more durable than the 3494,
MUCH
faster, and a cleaner interface than the 3494 (no category codes to
deal
with).

In considering libraries, keep very much in mind the distinction in
types, and relative advantages.  The 3494 concept is very clean: it
contains a library manager and database, where the host needs only ask
it for a tape mount, and not be concerned about keeping track of
tapes.  The 3584 and similar libraries (of the "SCSI library" legacy
name) shift the burden of control to some host program, which has to
deal with micro-managing all the volumes, cells, and drives, with a
plethora of element numbers.  Hopefully, all of these library types
will evolve toward some middle ground which combines all the
advantages, but allow differing cartridge types.

   Richard Sims