DLT vs. DAT, what is difference?

[Digitalcandy]

I am looking to buy a tape backup drive for my small business. What is the difference between DLT and DAT drives?

[linux_guru]

DLT (Digital Linear Tape) is the way to go, if you can afford it. Faster and much more reliable than DDS. DDS is prone to media errors. A DDS tape has a life of about 200 uses, then you have to replace it. DLT media is usually guaranteed for about 20 years (depending on the brand).

Then theres capacity! DDS1 = 2Gb/4Gb, DDS = 4Gb/8Gb, DDS3 = 12Gb/24Gb. The older DLT's are 20Gb/40Gb, DLT-7000 = 35Gb/70Gb, and the newer DLT-8000 is 40Gb/80Gb. Of course, the DLT media is much larger than DDS. There is no take-up reel, this is actually inside the drive.

[Mntsnow]

I will concur with Linux-guru as I deal with DLT's and Dat's on a daily basis http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif (it's part of my job doing system backups and restores).

DLT will cost you quite a bit more out of the gate but does have it's advantages. Just to try and help you make a better informed choice could you answer a few easy questions?

1. How much data needs to be backup?
2. How much time do you have to do backups?
3. How often are you planing on doing backups?
4. What is your budget for the project?
5. What platforms (OS's and types of files) are you going to be dealing with?
6. How computer knowledgeable is the "backup operator"?


*dang keyboard errors* http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif



[This message has been edited by Mntsnow (edited 07-25-2000).]

[Mntsnow]

For more Info on the backup hardware visit
http://www.adic.com/US/English/Products/Hardware/index.html
http://www.seagate.com/cda/products/tapesales/index
http://www.compaq.com/products/storageworks/menu_products.html

And of course there is tons more out there



[This message has been edited by Mntsnow (edited 07-26-2000).]

[Digitalcandy]

Thanks, you guys cleared up the confusion up for me.

I will be doing the backups myself. I have ARCserveIT and am pretty proficient with it. I back up approximately 7GB's per night. I figure I do a full backup 5 days a week one per month and one per quarter. I have been told to purchase the Quantum DLT - 7000. My budget is open ended, (considering the amount of data here). I am not planning on spending more that 2000 dollars. (I love selling to aerospace and military, the president throws money at me for the IT department :P )

This is all part of the research I am doing before I buy one and your comments are greatly appreciated. Any website that explains or compares models. Websites that offer whitepapers on DLT vs DAT?