Install backup tape - add HDDs

[N. Man]

First: I'm a .net/web developer so please have patience with me :))

I have an old HP-UX 9000 (D-Class PA-Risc) system and I want to:
- add a bigger tape drive; the machine has a small tape drive.
- add another 4 or 5 HDDs

Why do I want to do this? because I would like to build a 100% backup system to the other HP-UX 9000 (N-Class) that is now in production. Basically if the main machine goes down I would like to take the backup tape that ran overnight, insert it in the second machine (D-Class) and recover all the data.

Can somebody please help me? please remember that I'm a developer and I don't know to many things about Unix :(( so please have patience with me.

Thank you.

[Torsten.]

2 points:

1) What is a "bigger tape drive"? Maybe it will not be supported by the D-class. Newer drives are all fiber channel or LVD SCSI, the D has only F/W or SE SCSI. This will probably not work.

2) *IF* a N-class image can run on a D-class is not proofed - this is trial and error. You need to test it!

[V. Nyga]

Hi,

1) define an 'old D-class' (from a list it's a PA-RISC PA-7100LC till PA-8200 - *very* old
2) such systems are no longer supported
3) which drive do you have?
4) it will be hard to find a tape drive for such an old system
5) it will be hard to find disks for such an old system

See also:
http://www.openpa.net/systems/hp-9000_d-class_r-class.html

tip 1) find an equal system as a backup system
tip 2) search a company that offers services for such systems

Volkmar

[Torsten.]

I agree, how about a used L-class (rp54xx) or A-class (rp24xx) - they are some similar to your N.

[N. Man]

I have a D-Class PA-RISC ... I have what I have, I can't buy another machine because it's to expensive.

Based on your recommandations I check righ now with the HP supplier:
- if the new tape that we have on the N-Class will work on the D-Class
- if the HP supplier can provide HDDs for the D-Class

Can somebody point me out to:
- Backup tape installation (I assume that it comes with the installation instruction ?!?!)
- After I add new HDDs how to setup the old HDDs configuration (D-Class) to match the new HDDs configuration (N-Class); I assume that I have to do this ?!?!

Thank you.

[Torsten.]

Don't expect too much! The fastest and "biggest" DDS drive for the D will be a DDS3!

Configuring the disks is not a problem - ignite can do this.

I just doubt if the n class image works on the D class ...

[Torsten.]

Regarding "expensive" - search the "sell by auction" sites for rp5430 or rp5470 - you will be surprised - a modern ultrium tape drive may be more expensive than a complete server.

[N. Man]

Stupid question: "DDS drive"?!? is this the tape drive you are talking about or the HDDs? sorry ... :((

A tape drive more expensive then an entire system? are you serious?

[N. Man]

On the old machine there is a DDS3 ... on the new machine is a DLT Tape (?!?!) ... at least this is what's on the front of the tape drive.

[Torsten. · Accepted solution]

DDS -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Data_Storage

Ultrium ->
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultrium

We talk about *new* tape drives and *old* servers like yours (both).

[V. Nyga]

For tape storage see also:
http://www.hp.com/products1/storage/compatibility/tapebackup/PA-RISC/13-9999-0003.html#matrixtable

zero pts. please
V.