Our current LTO-2 auto loader is starting to shit the bed, and we're out of a valid service contract and Overland wants us to pay for the repair, then pay another $2,000 after the repair to get it back under valid maintenance. For another $2,000 and cost of new media, we can upgrade to LTO-4, which is the path we're deciding to go down. Our backups are taking quite some time now (on average 12-14 hours with the verify - full backups) and are stretching out to 2 LTO-2 tapes as well. It's time for a tape refresh as well, so we'd be spending less on tape media to help offset some of the cost for the expense of the new unit..
Anyways - does anyone have any good recommendations on specific autoloader LTO-4 units? We'd need atleast 1 drive with a minimum of 7 slot magazine. We don't really have the need for the possibility to upgrade to a 2nd drive in the life of this product, so single drive is fine. If you can't recommend any specific models, any good brands to stick with / stay away from is helpful as well. Overland? Tandberg? Quantum? Dell? HP? I'm at a loss with all the different brands/features/etc. available on the hundreds of models available. Are there any specific features/performance capabilities I should look for when picking out a model?
Lastly - Anyone have any good recommendation on good media? Fuji? IBM? Maxell? TDK? Quantum? Sony? Tandberg?
Anyways - does anyone have any good recommendations on specific autoloader LTO-4 units? We'd need atleast 1 drive with a minimum of 7 slot magazine. We don't really have the need for the possibility to upgrade to a 2nd drive in the life of this product, so single drive is fine. If you can't recommend any specific models, any good brands to stick with / stay away from is helpful as well. Overland? Tandberg? Quantum? Dell? HP? I'm at a loss with all the different brands/features/etc. available on the hundreds of models available. Are there any specific features/performance capabilities I should look for when picking out a model?
Lastly - Anyone have any good recommendation on good media? Fuji? IBM? Maxell? TDK? Quantum? Sony? Tandberg?