Connecting an external SCSI tape drive or Library to a c3000

[Michael Dudzinsky]

What are the options for connecting an external SCSI tape drive or library to a c3000? I have a customer that is interested in purchasing a c3000, but wants to use an existing SCSI based Autoloader to back it up. It is currently connected to a DL360 backup server. I recommended that he keep his existing DL360 backup server, but it will coming out of warranty soon and he would prefer to transfer that function to a Blade server if possible. The autoloader was purchased recently.

[TTr]

The only way to connect a SCSI device to a blade server is to use the PCI expansion blade.
http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/blades/expansion/index.html
I agree with your initial recommendation to keep the DL360. Either buy maintenance on it or buy a newer DL3x0 server.

[Torsten.]

Another possible solution could be this:

http://h18006.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/12454_div/12454_div.html

Check if it is compatible to your autoloader:

http://www.hp.com/go/ebs

[Michael Dudzinsky]

TTr And Torsten,

Thanks for the replies. I like the idea of using the PCI Blade. I think using the FC/SCSI bridge would turn out to be too expensive since they don't have a Fiber Channel SAN today. Do you know if there's a SCSI PCI card that is certified for it? The HP web site states that no HP PCI cards are certified and the only 3rd party options that I can find on the partner site are very specialized cards, no SCSI cards.

[Torsten.]

Here is this very special blade:

http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/blades/expansion/index.html

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/12753_div/12753_div.HTML

Note: the card external connectors are at the front side of the blade (of course) ...

[Adrian Clint · Accepted solution]

Michael, I'd take view that there is no HP support for cards in the PCI Blade, HP cards or 3rd party.

Go with a SCSI card that the autoloader supports, as long as the bus speed/power comply with the expansion blade rules.