Hi,
> (-) works on a SCSI Adaptec Controller
> (-) works on a RedHAt 6.2 distribution with the original 2.2.16
> kernel, without the need to recompile that kernel.
As you will have to stop the server to install your drive in it, I
don't see the problem in re compiling the kernel...
> (-) be supported by Amanda
Amanda access the tape drive through the Unix device, so it should not
be a problem, any tape that can work on your Unix box, can be
recognised by Amanda.
The only thing maybe that you have to waste one night, leaving the
thing runnig, to figure out the parameters to put in amanda config
file. But then there is a piece of code to do that for you.
> (-) have at least 20 no-compressed GB tape drives that don't get
> defective to easy
20 GB native is not an issue anymore.
The only way to have reliability is to choose a tape drive that does
linear recording (as opposed to the helical recording, like in VCR,
camescope, Exabyte...).
The recording density is something like 16 times less with linear
recording, so there is less risk data on one track corrupts another
track.
But the main advantage I see is that it is MUCH simpler on a
mechanical point of view. There is usually only one motor that pulls
the tape in front of a fix recording head. And with helical mechanism,
when the drive is inactive, the heads continue spining, it wears out
the head, the tape, the motor. It creates dust that will need to be
cleaned.
Linear technology on another hand, do not move at all if there is no
data transfer.
Now consider that you load your tape around 16:00 every day, to start
your back-up at midnight. It means 8 hours of useless spining... As
much useless activity as the 8 hours of effective back-up.
Now what linear technology:
- DLT, by Tandberg, HP, Quantum, DEC (I am certainly forgetting some),
there is still some mechanism that is used to grab the tape in the
cartridge and load it. It is reasonable price.
- SLR, inherited from old QIC technology, Tandberg only AFAIK, but a
dream regarding the simple design: one motor that is in contact with
a pulley on the side of the cartridge. All tape mechanism is inside
the cartridge, so you change it with every tape. Price is quite
high, but once again what good are cheap back-up that cannot be
read?
> (-) be produced by a well known & seriuos company, relatively known for
> backup products
> (-) not be an external drive; I need an internal drive
Both DLT and SLR drives exists in internal form.
> (-) have a decent and fair price for all of that
My choice was for Tandberg SLR 100.
Olivier
