RE: 3580 ultrium tape vs QIC

["Andy Nolen-Parkhouse" <aparkhouse@xxxxxxxxx>]

Jim,

Both the 50GB QIC drives and the 3580 Ultrium have good reputations and
good performance.  As an external device, the 3580 will require an
additional maintenance charge (not high, but it's there).  The 3580 will
also require a controller card (#2749 PCI Magnetic Media Controller).
The QIC drive will run off your internal IOP and should be included in
your current maintenance contract.

That said, here are some specs.  All numbers are raw data and can be
doubled to give approximate figures for compressed data.

The QIC, when using SLR100 tapes, will hold 50 GB and transfer data at 5
MB/Sec.  The 3580 will hold 100 GB and transfer data at 15 MB/Sec (with
a #2749 IOA).

Needless to say, either of these drives will blow away the performance
of your 8 mm.  I don't have easy access to cost of media, but that
should also be included in your calculations.  If you have bad memories
of that ridiculous tape-tensioning stuff that used to occur on QIC
drives, that has been eliminated and is no longer a factor.

Either drive would be a good choice.  Both will hold a full system
backup on a single tape.  Both will be very fast compared to your
current system.

Regards,
Andy Nolen-Parkhouse

> On Behalf Of Jim Franz
> Subject: 3580 ultrium tape vs QIC
>
> Can anyone comment on how they like/dislike the
> 3580 Ultrium Tape Drive (single unit) for a
> 70 gig model 270 versus a high speed 1/4 inch
> cartridge. The single 3580 is not much more than
> a high speed QIC.
> (dumping 8mm)
> jim franz