[comp.os.vms] Pertec tape drives, ALL-IN-1 worries

kenw@noah.arc.CDN (Ken Wallewein) (07/12/87)

  We need a 6250 bpi tabe drive on our uVaxII, mostly for backups. I know that
sounds odd, but we have 700 mb of on-line storage. 

  We are comsidering 3 tape drives: a DEC TU81+, a Pertec FS2000 with an Emulex
TC03 controller (emulates TS-11), and a CDC Keystone III, with a Dilog
controller. The DEC drive weighs in at $40K, and both of the others run around
$15K. So much for the TU81+. 

  The choice between the other two, however, is not clear. The CDC drive is
slower, and seems to have an average record for reliability. Interestingly, I
have been told that is the basis for the DEC TU81+. 

  On the other hand, the Pertec has better speed, and an apparently quite good
reputation, especially among OEMs of equipment for controls applications.
However, I know of only one site which is using this drive on a Vax (11/750). I
do *not* want the kind of problems it is giving them. 

  Does this drive generally perform well in this environment, or would it be
asking for trouble? I would very much appreciate hearing from anyone with
related experience. 

  Regarding ALL-IN-1: we are considering running it on our system for an
outside client. We have quite a bit of spare CPU time (around 70% idle on
average), and a fair amount of spare disk capacity on a fast CDC drive, so it
seemed reasonable... until I was told about ALL-IN-1 bringing an 8600 with 
12 mb of memory to its knees. Now I'm worried. Does anyone have experience with
ALL-IN-1 on a uVaxII, even a big one? 

  Responses to both of these questions would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance, 

/kenw
                                                                 A L B E R T A
Ken Wallewein                                                  R E S E A R C H
                                                                 C O U N C I L

cetron@CS.UTAH.EDU (Edward J Cetron) (07/12/87)

	I recommend the 6250/1600 cipher M990 (?) which runs like a charm.
The university has a few, and even more of the precursor M890's, one of
which I have and after the intial shakedown period, it has run flawlessly.
It is the same base unit mechanical drive as is/was used in the tsv05 with
much better electronics.

	As for all-in-1, with decent set-up (user ws quotas/extents...) and
some system tuning, I have seen it run just fine.  I regularly log into a
780 with 15-25 all-in-1 users with fairly acceptable performance...It is very
tough on the terminal muxes since it always repaints the screen.

-ed
cetron@cs.utah.edu
cetron@utahcca.bitnet

coyne@tifsie.UUCP (Conan the Administrator) (07/15/87)

In article <615*kenw@noah.arc.cdn>, kenw@noah.arc.CDN (Ken Wallewein) writes:
> 
>   We need a 6250 bpi tabe drive on our uVaxII, mostly for backups. I know that
> sounds odd, but we have 700 mb of on-line storage. 
> 
>   We are comsidering 3 tape drives: a DEC TU81+, a Pertec FS2000 with an Emulex
> TC03 controller (emulates TS-11), and a CDC Keystone III, with a Dilog
> controller. The DEC drive weighs in at $40K, and both of the others run around
> $15K. So much for the TU81+. 
> 
>   The choice between the other two, however, is not clear. The CDC drive is
> slower, and seems to have an average record for reliability. Interestingly, I
> have been told that is the basis for the DEC TU81+. 
> 
>   On the other hand, the Pertec has better speed, and an apparently quite good
> reputation, especially among OEMs of equipment for controls applications.
> However, I know of only one site which is using this drive on a Vax (11/750). I
> do *not* want the kind of problems it is giving them. 
> 
>   Does this drive generally perform well in this environment, or would it be
> asking for trouble? I would very much appreciate hearing from anyone with
> related experience. 
>  .
>  .
>  .
> Thanks in advance, 
> 
> /kenw
>                                                                  A L B E R T A
> Ken Wallewein                                                  R E S E A R C H
>                                                                  C O U N C I L

I am using Cipher Data M990 tape transports in combination with Emulex
TC03 tape controllers on our VMS and Ultrix based MicroVAX II's.

We have used the Cipher products for better than 5 years (F880's, F891's etc.)
with excellent reliability, and responsive service (only 2 malfunctioning
drives in 5 years...).

The M990 is a front-loader, operates in streaming or a simulation of
start/stop mode at up to 100 ips.  Its priced at $5.5K (factory price),
or if you buy from a distributor about $7K.  The Emulex controller is
coming in at $1.9K, again straight from Emulex.

The M990 operates at 1600,3200, and 6250 bpi, and software allowing
supports remote density select, etc.  These are not typical "vacuum 
column" style transports, so they are a little tougher than normal
on tapes.  We get about 60-100 uses on a 2400' prime grade reel with
proper care.


-----------------

Coyne Gibson                            TI-MSG     FSIC
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