Linux Backups: Tape Drives

[Jonathan Hutchins]

On Sunday 21 November 2004 05:00 pm, Monty J. Harder wrote:

> > >   This is one of two reasons I recommend disabling any hardware
> > > compression, and using software compression instead.

jhutchins:

> > Note that Dustin's account has nothing to do with hardware compression -
> > which

mharder:

>   Then what "'funky' algorithm" could he be talking about?  I'm not
> aware of an 'algorithm" for accessing SCSI devices.  Sure, you need a
> driver that knows how to talk to the host adapter, but

RAID.  His problem was an oddball RAID card that he couldn't duplicate.

"Inexpensive" RAID cards from fly-by-night hardware companies are the source 
of a lot of very bad experiences doccumented on the 'net.

Buying a spare when you buy the original is not a bad idea.

Buying from a supplier who controlls their manufacturing chain and guarantees 
backup/support is even better.

Keeping track of whether your hardware supplier is still in business and still 
supporting your card, and NOT KEEPING THE HARDWARE BEYOND IT'S SUPPORT CYCLE 
is, like, duh.

RAID is a great idea.

It can be implemented VERY BADLY.