Can't answer most of your questions (no experience using RAIT), but ...

>...  Do all of the tools work with it
>(amverify, amrecover, amcheck, amadmin )?  ...

The RAIT (and "file" and "normal tape" and "null") support is at a pretty
low level in Amanda, so all the tools should work the same, assuming
you give it the right information.  At least, that was the plan :-).

>In the event of a
>restore/diaster, does the tape drive order matter (ie - lets say a
>restore to another box is required, do I have to have the same tape
>numbers for the drives in the changer configuration, with the tapes
>placed in their respective drives, or can amanda figure out
>data/parity just based upon labels/configuration.)

You'll have to give the drives in the "proper" order.  Amanda cannot
tell from the labels or otherwise which is which.

>--Adrian

John R. Jackson, Technical Software Specialist, jrj AT purdue DOT edu