Dave,

I came across a benchmark between the two drive you've mentioned. It is
on the IBM site (so it may be biased or it may be not ...) up to you to
read it and properly weight it. By the way I've got 4 3590-E1A on a 3494.

http://www.storage.ibm.com/hardsoft/tape/3590/prod_data/3590perform.pdf

Mauro, STM

> Our company currently has an IBM 3590 b-11 and a 3590 E-11. Our
SAP/Oracle
> database is currently 355 gig and is expected to be 600 gig by years
end,
> and we are currently using the E-11 back up the database (17 + hours).
> Needless to say we are just now investigating the possibility of a tape
> library. We have the 3494 specifications and know how good the 3590's,
but
> I've been asked to research the Storagetek 9840 tape drive...any
> pro's/con's, good/bad experience's, any comments would be helpful.
>
> Dave Bronson
> Unix Admin.
> 704-329-7944
>