Apologies for the delay in getting this summary out. Thanks for the
informed responses from the following people on the list:
Harald Lundberg <hl_at_tekla.fi>
Chris Glenister <C.Glenister_at_cranfield.ac.uk>
Simon Greaves <censjg_at_caledonia.hw.ac.uk>
Paul E. Rockwell <rockwell_at_rch.dec.com>
The original inquiry:
> I am looking to implement NSR Server 3.1 with a DAT autoloader on a
> DEC 3400 AXP running DigiUnix 3.2A. The SPD list of supported DDS-2
> units includes only the TLZ7L, with 4-tape capacity. I am already
> using several HP C1553A DDS-2 6-tape autoloaders on other systems [NT,
> HP/UX] am very happy with them, and think that an additional 50%
> capacity sounds appealing.
>
> The inevitable questions:
>
> 1. Has anyone used the HP C1553A unit with NSR? Are there any
> compatibility issues [see jukebox question below]?
>
> 2. Can anyone cite direct experience, good, or bad, with the TLZ7L?
>
> 3. Do I need the jukebox license [Tier 1 for DEC 3400 AXP] in order to
> fully utilize NSR random access tape functions?
>
I ended up buying the TLZ7L [an Archive Python DDS-2 drive with loader
robotics] along with the jukebox license. The main
factors were cartridge capacity [I hadn't realized that, like the
TLZ6L, there was a 12-cartridge cassette option] and ability to get full
unattended functionality out of NSR. The jukebox PAK is not cheap, however.
I never did discover where to find the master table of tiers
corresponding to different jukebox devices, but was told the TLZ7L is
in Tier 1. Following are excerpts from the responses.
Thanks for the tips! - Jeff
-----
Bottom line on the HP C1553A: It sounds like this will work fine as a
sequential device, and that, at least with NSR 3.1, it could work in
random-access [jukebox] mode, possibly with some hand-tweaking of the
config file to recognize all 6 slots. Conflicting information on reliability:
> ...I haven't been very convinced with the HP's quality. The tape has been
> stuck in it several times, and right now it's all broken (it's less than a
> year old).
> ...I'm using an HP C1553A with NSR 3.1 without any jukebox functionality,
> but that's because I haven't had time to do much else yet. As far as the tape
> drive itself goes, I'm very impressed so far.
-----
Bottom line on the TLZ7L: [no responses]
-----
Bottom line on the jukebox license:
> ...with one license you can use one jukebox. So buy one with many
> slots rather than many jbs with few slots. BTW, the 3400 might be
> barely fast enough for running backup at full speed. My 3000/300LX
> was definately too slow, but my 2100/4/200 with 2 cpus seems to be
> fast enough to keep the ethernet busy....
> ... You will not get random access (jukebox) functionality enabled
> in NSR without the license. The jukebox tiers go according to jukebox type,
> not system type, by the way.
[From Digital Sales Support]
> You can use the TLZ7L as a loader/stacker (ie access of tapes is
> serially) without a jukebox license. NSR then refers to the TLZ
> as a "loader."
> Using the TLZ as a jukebox (allows random access of tapes) is preferred
> from an operational point of view. It requires much less operational
> intervention for recovers, where the required tape is not the next tape
> in the series.
> For a TZ877 or other small jukebox you need one JUKEBOX-TIER-1 license per
> jukebox. This PAK is loaded on the server. Part number from the SPD is
> QL-04UAL-3B.
> When contemplating a jukebox license you need to make sure that you
> consider the amount of operator hours needed to service the loaders
> compared to the largely independent operation of the jukeboxes if they are
> setup properly. Also, what is the cost to you if the weekend backups hang
> for days when the loader runs out of space? The jukebox can automatically
> recycle old tapes and continue.
> Jukeboxes, pools, retention and schedules all can help. With the NetWorker
> version 3.1 a new tape/volume cloning option will allow keeping the data
> in the jukebox and offsite at the same time. Each site will need to use
> these features their own way, but together they give a great deal of
> freedom to the user.
> NSR Jukebox Licenses
> QL-04UAL-3B (Tier 1) (your case)
> QL-04VAL-3B (Tier 2)
> QL-04WAL-3B (Tier 3)
> Note the U, V, W that changes per Tier.
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Jeff Stelzner ESCA Corporation jeffs_at_esca.com
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Received on Fri Jul 07 1995 - 18:39:27 NZST