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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