Topic: SME Server Back-ups

[shivacomps]

Hi

I would like to put a tape drive into a box with SME Server on, just wondering what tape drive people are recommending or what back up tape drives are compatible with SME server.

All replies will be most great-full.

Thanks

Chris

[Tib]

I use an SDLT 40/80 Tape drive ... works great
I've also used just DLT tape drives before with no problems both 20/40 & 40/80.
Brands were HP, Compaq & Sun ... they all worked for me.

Just as a pointer I used them with Arkeia only ... don't know if they work with the other backup programs.

Tib

[shivacomps]

Ok Mate,

cheerz thanks for the info.

[jmvelez]

Tapeware 7 with Sony Turbo AIT-1 (40/104) IDE is the cheapest way.  You do not need a controller for the tape.  Tapeware has Disaster recovery with a boot CD.  The cost of the combo should be less than $600

[p-jones]

I've just done this. A few thoughts / comments

I Used an HP SCSI DAT, firstly because I scored the drive brand new real cheap and had a few reasonable SCSI Cards on hand. Secondly because I like SCSI for tape drives - good throughput without pulling the server down too much. Thirdly because it had tapeware bundled which was kosha and works real nice (once one has grasped the philosophy's behind it) and lastly because DAT media is real cheap to buy.

The Tapeware interface is a bit ugly but it works and once setup, should require too much attention. I worked out a way of using a windows box and the nice GUI interface to control the software in the SME Server.

I hate DLT units - use them at work and they are frequently coming unspooled. Easy to sort, just fiddly and time consuming and the media is a bit expensive to keep munting.

The final choice will come down to budget, capacity and personal expectation.

Finally - must acknowledge the list for the final snippets of help to get it all going, in particular retro fitting a SCSI card

[jmvelez]

DAT the media is cheaper than AIT but the capacity is not even close.  DDS 5 is only 72GB compress.  The Turbo AIT 1 with IDE will copy around 12GB in 1 hour if your drives are connected to a 3ware SATA card.  The warranty from Sony is 3 years replacement and some AIT media are lifetime warranty.  The new Turbo AIT2 is 80/208GB capacity with IDE for around $800

The new tapeware (Version should open a nice market for SMEserver for Disk to Disk backup.

[mach1_4fun]

Hi All,

I have had good luck with a Certance (Seagate) tarvan 20/40 tape drive.

I think it was a little over $300 USD for the drive and the tapes are about $40 USD a pop. Worked with 6.01 without a hitch. I just installed it and restarted the server and I was in business. I have only used it with flexbackup though. Not sure how well it works with other  backup software.

[jmvelez]

Check the CD it should have Tapeware (Desktop) which works with SME.  The 10/20 Travan is only $135 but the tapes are expensive.