We have had a 3494 tape library for the last 2 years and it has been kind
of cumbersome.  The cost effectiveness seems to run on the costly side for
what I am getting.  I have heard (not experienced) of other tape libraries
with greater capacity, less cost, and less foot space, but I do not know
their error record (I've heard some with high errors and some with low
errors).  I currently have 6 drives and was backing up using 10 drives with
various slower speeds.  TSM is very resource driven and will need drives
(whether tape or disk).  IBM service is tops from what I have experienced,
but I have had to have service on all of the tape drives at least 1-2
drives per month.  I've replaced 2 drives also.  My option would be higher
density tapes with cheaper drives.  Say I had 12 drives and 2 -3 replaced
each month would still be better than 6 drives with 1 replaced per year.
Backups and Restores rely on drive availability.  The service factor also
may be a turning factor.  If I had a good DLT maintenance man, things might
have been different.



                    "Prather, Wanda"
                    <Wanda.Prather@J       To:     ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
                    HUAPL.EDU>             cc:
                    Sent by: "ADSM:        Subject:     Re: 3494 Tape Library
                    Dist Stor
                    Manager"
                    <[email protected]
                    T.EDU>


                    02/01/02 12:55
                    PM
                    Please respond
                    to "ADSM: Dist
                    Stor Manager"






It's an absolutely fabulous piece of enterprise-class hardware.
I can't think of any reason you would be sorry you had one.