Tape Autoloader

unde4d · 14 May 2009 at 20:49

Hi Folks,

Thinking of replacing a problematic PowerVault 124T. Not impressed with the 124T, I've had multiple replacements under warranty. Would like to change the unit with something better, and more reliable. What tape autoloaders do you guys recommend?

vidda · 14 May 2009 at 21:21

What is the problem you have with the 124T? What OS do you run it on and are you using SCSI?

I use a Sony LIB-81 and there are constantly issues with it. I/O errors, just losing connection to the host etc (this is via SCSI). Using CentOS 5.3.

Also, I should point out that I have around 6 of these and they are all a bit rubbish like that :/

unde4d · 14 May 2009 at 22:00

Apologies, should have given more details. It's connected to a PE6850, via SCSI, running Win Server '03 Std & Backup Exec 12.5

The problems I've having are a bit baffling. Every couple of months (6?), the T124 decides to die - I/O errors, losing connection to host, etc. Each and everytime I run into a problem, I call Dell Support - we go through the motions (replace tapes/cleaning tape, check connection, scsi card, etc). Then eventually they issue a replacement unit.

I originally purchased the unit in 2005, and it's physically been replaced 6times. This thing should just happily churn through the tapes & I'm fed-up with the hassle.

Other points to note - it's an LTO2, with a single 8-Tape magazine (7Data, 1 Cleaning). I take a full back-up every 2weeks (1TB), with daily incrementals (20GB). I don't need a second magazine yet, but I will do within the next 12months.

vidda · 15 May 2009 at 12:11

This is the exact same situation I have with the Sony tape drives. What SCSI card are you using in the machine itself?

unde4d · 15 May 2009 at 20:04

Adaptec SCSI Card 39160

neil_g · 16 May 2009 at 12:40

i find our HP MSL4048 very reliable (although i think superseeded now?), we run it with 2 LTO3 drives over fibre.

the only problem we've had with it, and it wasnt really even its fault was a funny batch of HP LTO3 tapes which were very tight in the cartridges. other than that there was only the time it did a thermal shutdown when the AC in the server room failed..