Backup Tape and its Libraries
Aside from reliability, the other factor that makes tape drives
so successful is their scalability and low cost. Tape backup
drive technology can range from well under $1,000 dollars for a
simple system for a small business or well into the 100's of
thousands of dollars for a large corporation.
Scalability
As a business grows, tape libraries can expand to meet new data
demands without a complete rebuild of the system. These tape
libraries, are storage devices build to hold multiple tape
drives. Some tape libraries are monstrous, with thousands of
cataloged tapes containing barcodes to identify the data. Most
businesses won't need tape libraries of this magnitude. The
majority of tape libraries sold start with a mere 10 slot, 1
drive and the larger units can support 12 drives with the slot
count exceeding 500 before expansion units are required. Many
businesses with a plan to grow, start with 1 or 2 tape drives
solutions and as many of the libraries are modular, the slot
count can grow very easily.
How much storage size do you need?
For a small operation, a good rule of thumb is to choose a
current model tape drive, invest in the media and over time move
to a library, utilizing a similar tape drive or one that will be
backward compatible. A good backup system will operate
seamlessly without much maintenance.
Choosing a tape drive that fits your backup window
Ideally, the backup of your data should occur when the systems
are not in operation. If your business closes during certain
hours of the day, then you'll have fewer restrictions when it
comes to choosing tape drives. However, if your business
operates round the clock, you might want to implement a
different strategy called "disk to disk to tape" where data is
stored to a second disk and then recorded on tape drives, from
the secondary storage while you continue to operate.
Consider the maintenance costs
While you'll buy a tape backup drive only once, you'll be buying
tape for your tape drives on a regular basis. When shopping for
tape drives and tape libraries, inquire about the cost of the
media. A tape backup drive that is more expensive than its
competitor may work out to be more cost effective over the long
run if the cost of media is less expensive.
When implementing a tape backup drive system, its best to
consult with a professional who will learn about your current
business needs and future plans and help you design the most
cost effective and reliable system. Otherwise, you find yourself
purchasing completely new equipment when it's time to grow or
buying mismatched equipment. Vendors are often the best no-cost
resources for quality consultation on tape drive architecture
and can help you get a system in place that is cost effective,
reliable, and perfectly suits your needs.
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