tape drive upgrade recommendations

[lynxms17]

I currently have a Proliant ML370 w/ a Smart Array 431 holding (6) 34Gig drives in a RAID5. I also have (2) Compaq 20/40 DAT drives, one each off of the embedded controllers. While I haven???t opened up all 144Gig to my end users, as soon as I do, I know I will outgrow my current tape backup solution.

I am looking at the Ultrium 230, an AIT 100/200, or the SDLT 160/320 all StorageWorks products.

What experience has anyone had with any of these devices in a Novell 5.1 environment?
I???m currently using Backup Exec 8.5. I understand I will need to upgrade to 9.0.
Will these devices work off of one of my onboard controllers?

Any insight would be appreciated.

Jim

[A. Clay Stephenson]

When you begin to get up into this size backup volumes, you need to take a hard look at tape libraries - either DLT or Ultrium. It also makes backups and restores very simple because you don't have to go find/load tapes - that's all done for you.