Re: Tape Drive Compatability?

Subject: Re: Tape Drive Compatability?

From: Bruce Cheng <email@hidden>

Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2006 10:08:44 -0700

Delivered-to: email@hidden

On Aug 24, 2006, at 9:08 AM, Allyn Crowe wrote: > We are looking to implement a new XSAN setup. Primarily for backup right now, but with planned expansion into a second XRAID Array. > > We are currently looking at the following backup libraries: > 1. Exabyte Magnum 448 > 2. Exabyte Magnum 221L FC > 3. Adic Scalar 24 > As far as I understand Exabyte 448 has not been qualified but MAYBE on the horizon. Check with Exabyte directly on this and you can get the most accurate info. It's the latest and greatest and most cost effective (in the long run) 221L FC is a good library and has been around for a while. If you want something solid (and do not mind paying a little bit more), this is a safe bet. ADIC scalar 24: not much experience with. Tolis Group would know whether it's compatible or not. Last I recall several years ago, Tolis works fine with ADIC library as they have custom code to make it 'work' with ADIC library. Exabyte have direct fibre connectoins to their tape libraries. ADIC (for most models) uses a SCSI-FC bridge or offer SCSI only solution. Performance wise you may not see much difference (if you set it up correctly) but more components more complexity and harder to troubleshoot. Between Qlogic SB 1400 and Emulex 355, choose the Qlogic SANBOX 1400. Architecture wise it's similar to the 5200 but with no 10gig up link). The emulex 355 switch supports single speed (1 gig OR 2gig but not both at the same time). It limites how you can connect devices of different speed. It may no longer be an issue for newer libraries but I do not know. I do not even think you can buy the Emulex 355 any more. Only 375 is available for sell. Tolis BRU server software: I am not up to date with their latest development but last I know is that it only supprts disk staging but not true D2D2T. But overall it works great for the price. If you get the product from Apple, the Exabyte bundles include the latest Bru server software. save some $$. For any backup software, I always recommend to try it out first (download a trial version from teh vendor). Devices compatibility: The software vendor knows best of what they have worked. Good luck. -Bruce > We are also looking at the following SAN Switches: > 1. QLogix SANbox 1400 > 2. Emulex 355 > > We had the following questions that I haven't been able to find an answer to: > 1. Is the 448 compatible with XSAN? Apple's (horribly outdated) site doesn't list it specifically, but 2/3 products they list are EOL/Discontinued. > 2. Anyone else using these specific SAN switches for good/bad feedback? > 3. Feedback on the libraries? > > We're using BRU for our backups and are planning on going D2D2T as a strategy. > > Thanks, > Allyn > _______________________________________________ > Do not post admin requests to the list. They will be ignored. > Xsan-Users mailing list (email@hidden) > Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription: > http://lists.apple.com/mailman/options/xsan-users/email@hidden > > This email sent to email@hidden >

Allyn,

We're using an ADIC Scalar 24 with Bakbone's Netvault 7.4.2 right now. Until recently we were only backing up the Xsan (4 Xserve RAIDs) directly tape at night and on weekends... Doing at least 100GB/hour, sometimes more. Now we' re trying some d2d2t with one 3TB Xserve RAID attached to the backup server and then to tape. You can never have enough backups, and having several stages increases safety and sanity (no more xsanity! ;)

We're using two Qlogic SANbox 5200s and one SaNbox 5202 so I can't comment on those you've selected.

Mat X

Systems Administrator

Anthem Visual Effects, Inc.

200 - 110 Cambie Street

Vancouver, BC V6B 2M8

Phone: 604-669-9936

Fax: 604-669-9926

On Aug 24, 2006, at 9:08 AM, Allyn Crowe wrote:

We are looking to implement a new XSAN setup. Primarily for backup right now, but with planned expansion into a second XRAID Array.

We are currently looking at the following backup libraries:
1. Exabyte Magnum 448
2. Exabyte Magnum 221L FC
3. Adic Scalar 24

We are also looking at the following SAN Switches:
1. QLogix SANbox 1400
2. Emulex 355

We had the following questions that I haven't been able to find an answer to:
1. Is the 448 compatible with XSAN? Apple's (horribly outdated) site doesn't list it specifically, but 2/3 products they list are EOL/Discontinued.
2. Anyone else using these specific SAN switches for good/bad feedback?
3. Feedback on the libraries?

We're using BRU for our backups and are planning on going D2D2T as a strategy.

Thanks,
Allyn
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References:

>Tape Drive Compatability? (From: Allyn Crowe <email@hidden>)

>Re: Tape Drive Compatability? (From: techtalk <email@hidden>)