What technical capabilities of the Adaptive Enterprise architecture does this product enhance?
A1.
The product enhances HP's management and control capabilities with a simple, low-cost, dependable backup solution. With a choice of models and interfaces including both SCSI and USB, HP’s DAT drives fit easily into most server configurations as either rack-mount or stand-alone. With additional features including the unique HP StorageWorks One Button Disaster Recovery for full system restore at the touch of a button and HP StorageWorks Library and Tape Tools, HP’s suite of tape management tools—customers are assured of both reliability and ease of use.
Q2.
What is the difference between DDS and DAT, and can you use DAT tapes with DDS drives?
A2.
Digital Data Storage (DDS) is the format that was developed by HP and Sony to adapt the Digital Audio Tape audio technology for data storage, which requires much higher data integrity. The term “DAT” is now most commonly applied to the data storage device and often used interchangeably with DDS. Although DDS and DAT are based on similar helical scan formats, DAT media is not of sufficient quality for data storage. DDS tape drives will reject DAT audio tapes. HP StorageWorks DAT Tape Drives require media that carries the DDS format logo to show that it is of the quality necessary for computer data storage.
Q3.
How does an industry standard tape format specification ultimately benefit customers?
A3.
HP branded media undergoes regular additional testing on a batch-by-batch basis to ensure consistently high quality. Other vendors test to the DDS media specification, but HP does not stop there. We also test extensively in the areas of shock, vibration, and durability. For more details, please consult the HP white paper, “Media Qualification and Testing — HP Does More” on the website: http://www.hp.com/go/storagemedia. Tests have shown that if DDS tapes are stored correctly, the data retention life is at least 10 years. It seems likely that the actual data retention life is considerably longer.
Q4.
Why should I choose HP DDS media, how long can I store the tapes and still recover the data when I need it?
A4.
HP branded media undergoes regular additional testing on a batch-by-batch basis to ensure consistently high quality. Other vendors test to the DDS media specification, but HP does not stop there. We also test extensively in the areas of shock, vibration, and durability. For more details, please consult the HP white paper, “Media Qualification and Testing — HP Does More” on the website: http://www.hp.com/go/storagemedia. Tests have shown that if DDS tapes are stored correctly, the data retention life is at least 10 years. It seems likely that the actual data retention life is considerably longer.
Q5.
Why has HP introduced a USB 2.0 DAT Tape Drive, does this mean that SCSI is dead?
A5.
USB 2.0 is fast becoming adopted by the market as the most common native interface for the majority of low-end servers and workstations used by DAT customers. The numerous native system USB ports available mean that customers purchasing an HP USB DAT drive don’t need to purchase additional host bus adapters, nor have any problems with resource conflict for the ports. The native USB interface HP DAT products enable customers to connect directly to these interfaces quickly and easily. This plug-and-play connectivity means that a USB DAT drive can be taken out of the box, be plugged in and ready to backup in less than 60 seconds!
SCSI has long been the standard interface for many computer products, including DAT. However, there are no future enhancements planned for SCSI interfaces and it is declining as a native system interface making connectivity more challenging for customers with more complex installation and additional purchase of host bus adapters. SCSI is still a solid interface and will still be available for DAT 72 customers who want to continue to have SCSI connectivity between their tape drive and server.
Q6.
What’s so special about HP StorageWorks One Button Disaster Recovery, will it work on any Intel-based server with any backup application?
A6.
All other disaster recovery solutions for PCs rely on the manual preparation of a set of disaster recovery floppy disks and/or CDs. The minute your system changes -- a new piece of software or a new peripheral is added, for example -- these disaster recovery disks are out of date. With HP StorageWorks OBDR, you can automatically save your latest configuration every time you make a standard backup tape.
Likewise, other solutions require a manual system recovery -- a process that takes time and extensive technical knowledge. If it is not done properly, you run the risk of further system failures. With OBDR, you will never have to perform a manual system recovery -- ensuring you, and your colleagues can quickly get back to business. You can quickly, reliably and simply restore your entire system just by inserting the most recent backup tape and pushing one button on the tape drive. Your HP StorageWorks DAT drive will restore your operating system, configuration, applications, drivers and data files. The sheer simplicity of OBDR means the risk of a user error during recovery, and therefore subsequent recovery failure, is significantly reduced.
It is impossible to say that all servers can support OBDR. HP StorageWorks OBDR relies on the system BIOS and HBA BIOS to correctly position the CD-ROM at the top of the boot order when boot from disk is not possible. The backup application must also recognize that the tape drive is OBDR-compatible to ensure that the disaster recovery image is created and loaded onto the tape at each full backup. HP's comprehensive compatibility program tests a broad range of servers and software, including their support for OBDR. Check your specific server-software combination on our compatibility website: http://www.hp.com/go/connect
Q7.
Are all HP StorageWorks DAT tape drives supported by HP StorageWorks Library and Tape Tools?
A7.
Yes, HP StorageWorks Library and Tape Tools (L&TT) provides diagnostic support for all HP StorageWorks DAT tape drives. In addition to diagnostic and troubleshooting abilities, L&TT lets you access useful information about the product and automatically check the web for the latest firmware. L&TT can be downloaded from the following URL: http://www.hp.com/support/tapetools Read more about HP OBDR on our website at: http://h18006.www1.hp.com/products/storageworks/drs/index.html
It is impossible to say that all servers can support OBDR. HP StorageWorks OBDR relies on the system BIOS and HBA BIOS to correctly position the CD-ROM at the top of the boot order when boot from disk is not possible. The backup application must also recognize that the tape drive is OBDR-compatible to ensure that the disaster recovery image is created and loaded onto the tape at each full backup. HP's comprehensive compatibility program tests a broad range of servers and software, including their support for OBDR. Check your specific server-software combination on our compatibility website: http://www.hp.com/go/connect.
Q8.
Is USB as reliable as SCSI, what about the performance of the USB interface?
A8.
USB 2.0 is the latest USB interface and has been designed with the highest levels of integrity and reliability for computer data applications. The product benefits from the built-in reliability and failure recovery inherent in the underlying SCSI protocol. HP’s extensive testing has validated the reliability of the interface and the robustness of the connection.
Extensive testing has demonstrated that USB 2.0 provides sufficient bandwidth to support the performance scoped for DAT products through to the highest generation specified on the DAT manufacturer’s group roadmap, specifically through to generation 8.
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