When setting up an HP-3000 shop a few (maybe 8) years ago, HP offered two
options other than 9-track mag tape that were supported by TURBOSTORE. They
were DDS and optical juke-box, and the sales rep (back in the days when they
had such things) was really pushing the Optical Jukebox to satisfy our
"lights out" operation. About the same time I read about DLT in one of the
PC publications. With the capacity, speed, shelf life, reliability (DDS
scores very poorly especially in shelf life and possible contamination due
to environmental conditions) and all other technical specifications, DLT
sure seemed like the way to go. But as is typical with HP, they didn't
forecast and support the best technology (for their customers). This is
typical. Back in 1990 as networked PCs were just beginning to take hold, HP
was pushing LAN MANAGER on the HP-3000. Then they dropped LAN Manager in
favor of Novell. Now they embrace NT. Always a little behind the curve.
What ever happened to those customers who implemented LAN Manager & Novel?
They still don't support FWD DLT, fiber-channel or SAA on the HP-3000.
Now that I've vented I'll answer your question. DLT still appears to be the
way to go. I was told it would be supported as a solo on FWD within a
couple of months. If you have a full height slot available for a dedicated
DLT, then I suggest you wait for the FWD support. As far as the $1,800/hr
charge, I've taken to doing installations "in house".
-----Original Message-----
From: Phil Anthony [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, June 11, 1998 11:34 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Dat Drives
Based on our experiences, we are going to evaluate migrating
away from
DAT drives (we are replacing two more tonight). DLTs seem
to be the
logical next step, but if someone has experience with other
media, I
would appreciate hearing about that too.
We are replacing just too many DAT drives; a lot of the
drives that do
work don't read tapes created on other drives; and with HP
doubling
their after-hours rate from $900 to $1,800, we have to do
something
different.
Phil Anthony
Director, System Resources
United Video Satellite Group
918.488.4059
[log in to unmask]
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Simonsen, Larry [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Thursday, June 11, 1998 10:18 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Dat Drives
>
> Seems that with the reliability of the DAT tape drives and
if you have
> multiple systems transferring data the reliability (which
we have come
> to expect from a HP system) is fails miserably at the
backup state.
> We are getting ready to install a 3000-918LX in Australia
needing to
> transfer occasionally data from the states to there and
back.
> Should we buy DLT and not DAT drives?
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