Re: 3590 vs. BCC 9171-A22

We went through a similar exercise last year, where a third party tape drive
was been considered.

If you are using 3590 then this surly is providing you with good service ?,
we chose 3590 mainly because it was IBM, the IBM engineer would service /
repair it, future releases of os/400 will be compatible with it.

If you currently have the IBM 3590 then I would say keep it and not venture
into the unknown with this OEM drive.

Just my view.....in the past I have seen OEM keep stop working once IBM
produce a new version of Os/400.....

Nick



Nick Arnold
Production Services Manager,
CNGIT Limited.
-----Original Message-----
From: Larry D. Bolhuis <lbolhui@ibm.net>
To: MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com <MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com>
Date: 30 December 1998 22:03
Subject: Re: 3590 vs. BCC 9171-A22


>Curtis,
>
>  As a consultant I run into tape drives of all flavors colors and vendors.
While I have no
>experience with this drive I offer the following:
>
> 1) If the drive is to replace a 3570 then it better configure as one.  Any
drive that 'works like'
>drive x but 'configures as' drive y should be ruled out immediately. Make
the vendor prove this.
>
> 2) Can the drive read and write tapes of the drive it is 'working like'.
If NO then lose it.  You
>will at some time need to do this and if it does not work you will kick
yourself. (See thread about
>8mm tape about 2 weeks back!) Make the vendor prove this.
>
> 3) Who repairs it and where are the parts?  This drive will likely be
needed every day.  If it
>needs maintenance and that takes three days, you could be in a world of
hurt or hanging your keester
>in the wind (and it's cold this time of year...) hoping you don't have a
disaster while you can't
>back up.
>
> In case you can't tell I am not in favor of OEM tape.  I've used some that
worked well and many
>that did NOT.
>
> - Larry
>
>--
>Larry Bolhuis         |
>Arbor Solutions, Inc  | Two rules to success in life:
>(616) 451-2500        | 1. Never tell people everything you know.
>lbolhui@ibm.net       |
>
>> Curtis Strouse wrote:
>>
>> My manager has recieved a quote for a new BCC Technologies 9171-A22 AIT
tape drive.  We currently
>> have and use a 3590 tape drive on two 510's, V3R7, soon to be V4R3.  The
documentation on the BCC
>> drive indicates that it is a faster drive, but is it better?  Does anyone
out there use this
>> 9171-A22 drive, and if so is it reliable?  Any problems?  I have never
heard of this company and
>> know nothing about their history etc.  Any input would be greatly
appreciated in advance.
>>
>> Thank You!
>>
>> Curtis Strouse
>> North American Stainless
>>
>>
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