I'm getting set to test the scenario described below.
The basic scheme involves doing backups to an ATA/fibre
array and then copying the disk array images to tape.

The first ATA disk array we actually returned to the vendor
after finding out the fibre connectivity options were limited.

Right now I am testing a second unit which has 12 300 gig drives.

A point to consider is whether to put an inexpensive ATA disk
array out on your SAN, or to directly attach it to a media server.
With an internal 6 channel ATA/RAID board you can put 1.8TB
inside of a server.  I had started down that route but was
directed to instead focus on the SAN option.

When I do get some results to share I'll post them here.

Doug Braden
VERITAS Software

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Boatman [mailto:boatm005 AT groupwise.umn DOT edu]
Sent: Monday, September 15, 2003 9:42 AM
To: rlh AT lsil DOT com; veritas-bu AT mailman.eng.auburn DOT edu
Subject: Re: [Veritas-bu] Backing up to disk (and then tape ??)


Wow,

Great question.  I am interested in this as well. Our robots go widely
un-utilized during the day, and then get maxed out at night during the
backup window. We just don't have the bandwidth to finish everything during
that relatively small backup window. Any increase in performance makes a
HUGE difference for our site.

- Paul

>>> Richard Hellier <rlh AT lsil DOT com> 09/15/03 09:34AM >>>
Folks,
        In various recent threads, some people have mentioned using
"backup to disk" (and then (e.g.) dup'ing to tape) as a way of
accelerating backups, getting reduced backup windows etc.

        If you are doing this, could I ask you, please, to let me know
some details of what sort of equipment you're using, any gotchas with
this
approach?


        I'm asking because our current 1.8 Tbyte data volume looks set to 
grow to 5-6 Tbyte and I don't think our current approach (ATL P3000 +
5 DLT drives) will scale to that sort of data volume.



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OIT/NDIS -  University of Minnesota


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