What to know before upgrade a MSL6000 TL?

[ReynierPM]

Hi every:
I have a MSL6000 tape library in my Data Center. Now my boss ask me for a upgrade in order to get more capacity. What I need to know in order to propose him a upgrade?

[Rob Leadbeater · Accepted solution]

Hi,

First you need to know whether you're using SDLT or LTO tape drives, and how many of them.

The base MSL6000 models either have 26 or 52 slots, with 2 or 4 SDLT drives respectively, or 30 or 60 slots with 2 or 4 LTO drives respectively.

Details of part numbers for upgrades can be found in the Quickspecs here:

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/11863_div/11863_div.html

Hope this helps,

Regards,

Rob

[ReynierPM]

What SDLT and LTO means? Configuration types? Sorry for my ignorance

[cnb]

SDLT > Super Digital Linear Tape:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Linear_Tape

LTO > Linear Tape-Open:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Linear_Tape

Rgds,

[ReynierPM]

Ok, thanks understood now but both links point to the same page ;)

[Efrain Valencia]

I think this document is pretty helpful when you are planing on drive upgrades:

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/storageworks/pdf/techdoc/tapestorage/SW_MSL_Tape_Auto_bc_FINAL.hires_040808.pdf

[cnb]

Sorry about that...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_Tape-Open

Rgds,

[Marcial Wils]

Here is the MSL-series Upgrade Matrix

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/storageworks/ebs/pdf/MSL_Drive_upgrade_matrix_apr2010.pdf

Check at the top of each page for the corresponding MSL model.

[ReynierPM]

Maybe I'm a fool but I don't understand wich components need to be upgraded. I take a look at MSL front and also MSL rear and found this information:
* Model: MSL6000 (in Matrix PDF this model don't appears)
* 4 Drives LTO-4 Ultrium 1840
* and from Data Protector 230 slots

It's possible with this simple information know wich components need to be upgrade?

Cheers and thx again

[Rob Leadbeater]

Hi,

If you've already got LTO-4 drives then you already have the biggest capacity drives available at the moment.

I'm not sure how you'd get 230 slots though. A 4 drive library would normally have 60 slots...

What does your boss want to achieve by the upgrade ? Ability to back up more data, or ability to back up data quicker ?

Cheers,

Rob