Any recommended backup media?

[hyuga]

What are the options for backups? Two years ago CD-Rs were enough, but today, even DVD-Rs look small. If you have 30 to 40 GBs of data, you still need a lot of DVD-Rs. DVD-RAM is 9.4GB per disc. Is that a good alternative?

What about tape drives?

[s1203372]

Tape is good for high storage requirments, but is not random access and can be slow. Tape drives can also be quite expensive. DVD-R is nice because it is random access, but the drives are still pricy and the size isn't there. If you need a backup of a sizeable drive, I'd reccomend buying a big slow IDE drive, use Norton Ghost or a similar tool to create a backup file, and use the IDE drive to store those images. Take the IDE drive out of the system and store carefully when not using it as a backup.

[ua549]

If you have lots of critical data, tape is the way to go.

I personally like digital linear tape (DLT) drives though there are several other technologies available. Newer DLT drives are called SDLT drives where S is for Super. They all use a SCSI interface. They come in various formats, capacities and speeds. Retired, older technology products are still available and less expensive. Refurbished units are available with warranties for less than $200. Available products are:

Type                 Capacity      Speed        Approx Price
                     Gigabytes   MB/second

DLT1    (Current)      40/80        3/6             1,000 
DLT4000 (Retired)      20/40        3/6               600
DLT7000 (Retired)      35/70        5/10              900
DLT8000 (Current)      40/80        6/12            2,200
SDLT220 (Current)     110/220      11/22            3,200
SDLT320 (Current)     160/320      16/32            3,500

These are commercial grade products meant for almost continuous use. They are not inexpensive, but they are darn well worth the cost when compared to the cost of the data.

On my home system I do an automatic, scheduled, daily full backup of my 73GB system drive (3 hours) and an incremental backup of my less volatile files that are spread over six 73GB drives (1 hour). I have a DLT1 drive and 50 tapes that are rotated on a schedule. I keep month end tapes for 3 years and year end tapes permanently.

[Ashpool]

Originally posted by ua549
Refurbished units are available with warranties for less than $200.

Where exactly would you be able to get these drives?

[Colossus]

I currently own a Quantium DLT8000 and I love it. Its a 40/80GB tape drive. Its somewhat fast, About 40GB in 3 hours. The tapes are rather expensive, around $70ea. I would prefer a DLT over a DVD-RAM drive. Its just more reliable and can be automatated. Even tho there are plenty of CDR backup software on the market, such as NTI.

I guess since I am a Network Engineer I would like the same equipment as the companies I work for

[ua549]

Originally posted by Ashpool


Where exactly would you be able to get these drives?

Digitape Systems is a vendor I have used frequently. They have new and refurbished equipment. Be careful about the models because they have all flavors of SCSI interface types - not all will work on a PC.