[NTLUG:Discuss] recommendations for tape drive

[Greg Edwards]

kbrannen at gte.net wrote:
> Jack Snodgrass wrote:
> 
>> On Fri, 14 Mar 2003 15:45:43 -0500, Rob Apodaca wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Hello all,
>>> Was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for linux compatible
>>> tape drive
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> -Rob
> 
> 
> I agree with Jack that DLT is the way to go *if you can afford them*.  I 
> always used to think it was stupid to backup to other hard drives, but 
> with current prices, it's a viable option now.
> 
> 
> HTH,
> Kevin
> 

I like a combo solution (live drive->backup drive->tape).  Backup to 
drive daily and tape weekly.  Tapes go offsite for rotation and baring a 
major disaster the drive is onsite for a quick restore.  At most you 
risk 1 week of data.  For DB I want nightly incremental to tape if I can 
get them.  Cost and time are major factors with daily tapes cause a big 
DB can take hours.  For development I want source on more than 1 
computer and offsite as often as possible.

The BIG drawback to using drives is the risk of drive failure.  If the 
drive dies your hosed.  At least with a tape you can get a new drive and 
pop the tape in.  Don't try to make your tapes live too long though 
cause you don't need to have a degraded tape holding critical data 
because Murphy is alive and well ;)

Try as people might there hasn't been a more secure and safe method 
devised than the poor old ancient technology tape for backups.

-- 
Greg Edwards
New Age Software, Inc. - http://www.nas-inet.com
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