jdr@sloth.mlb.semi.harris.com (Jim Ray) (05/24/91)
We are getting ready to choose a backup jukebox type system for our existing DEC 5500's ( but additionally want to use it for our other machines as well including IBM etc ). What is the general feeling about 8mm and 4mm tape systems as an alternative? What experiences have people had with dec's new solution? ( Apparently some sort of TK70 like stacker that handles 2.3 gig per tape and a transfer rate of 800k bytes/sec ). Thanks, in advance.... -- Jim Ray Harris Semiconductor Internet: jdr@semi.harris.com PO Box 883 MS 62B-022 Phone: (407) 729-5059 Melbourne, FL 32901
alan@shodha.enet.dec.com ( Alan's Home for Wayward Notes File.) (05/24/91)
In article <1991May23.194357.14283@mlb.semi.harris.com>, jdr@sloth.mlb.semi.harris.com (Jim Ray) writes: > We are getting ready to choose a backup jukebox type system for our > existing DEC 5500's ( but additionally want to use it for our other machine ^^^^^^^^^^ This being a DECsystem 5500 will be significant later... > > What experiences have people had with dec's new solution? ( Apparently > some sort of TK70 like stacker that handles 2.3 gig per tape and a > transfer rate of 800k bytes/sec ). The tape system you refer is the TF857. The "TF" part means it's a DSSI tape drive. I suspect the "7" part has something to do with the loader. It uses a cartridge which on the outside looks a lot like a CompacTape I and II (TK50 and TK70). I suspect the media inside is a bit better than either. It looks like a good tape system. That said; ULTRIX doesn't support it. It would be an expensive exercise on your part to find out if lack of support means it's untested or doesn't work. Perhaps if there's a demand for it we'll make a SCSI version someday. Let you're sale representives know. > > Thanks, in advance.... You're welcome. > > -- > Jim Ray Harris Semiconductor > Internet: jdr@semi.harris.com PO Box 883 MS 62B-022 > Phone: (407) 729-5059 Melbourne, FL 32901 -- Alan Rollow alan@nabeth.cxn.dec.com
ajc@thendara.pa.dec.com (AJ Casamento) (05/24/91)
In his note Jim Ray writes: >> What is the general feeling about 8mm and 4mm tape systems as an >> alternative? I like them just fine. We use 8mm almost exclusively here in our design group and it works very well. If you are doing archival backup (either nightly incremental or weekly full style) and only restoring occasionally either due to a lost file or a catastrophic failure I would recommend the 8mm drives (Mountain or TTI seem to work just fine, but I'm sure most of them will). If you're recalling files on a frequent basis then the faster search time of the 4mm may mean a great deal more to you. However, the 4mm is slower to write and has lower capacity per tape. If you're doing a wide network backup at Harris, you might want to give some consideration to: Magnus from SUMMUS Computer Systems Dual 8mm drives, a 54 tape carousel, 19" rack mount, 125-270GB They also are OEM's of Legato's Networker software which can be a real win on late night, unattended, heterogeneous network backups. 800.255.9638 Sales 713.492.6611 Debbie Denison 713.492.0092 FAX (I happen to like the solution, but this statement should not be taken as a warranty, expressed or implied) The legal people make me say that ;-) >> What experiences have people had with dec's new solution? None. Sorry. >> Thanks, in advance.... No worries. Thanx, AJ ********************************************************************** * AJ Casamento "The question is not whether or * * Digital's TRI/ADD Program not the opinions are mine; but * * 100 Hamilton Ave. UCO1-B rather, which of my personalities * * Palo Alto, CA 94301-1616 do they belong to?" * * 415.853.6744 * * ajc@decwrl.dec.com * **********************************************************************
rich@aoa.UUCP (Rich Snow) (05/30/91)
(Jim Ray) writes: >We are getting ready to choose a backup jukebox type system for our >existing DEC 5500's ( but additionally want to use it for our other machines >as well including IBM etc ). > >What is the general feeling about 8mm and 4mm tape systems as an >alternative? We love 8mm. The tapes are inexpensive and once we wrote some scripts to automate it, it really cut down our tape duty. We use the Delta microsystems drive on our SUN 3/60 as a backup drive for our 'net. We do not use their front end software, just the driver. The one tape capacity is fine for us, sounds like you have a BIG network! >What experiences have people had with dec's new solution? ( Apparently >some sort of TK70 like stacker that handles 2.3 gig per tape and a >transfer rate of 800k bytes/sec ). As the subject line says, "Oh Puhleeeease!" Don't tell me they're marketing yet another incompatible tape format! -Rich -- * Rich Snow AOA-----------------* * (617)864-0201 * rich@aoa.utc.com Disclaimer: Lack of Disclaimer. * aoa!rich@bbn.com