I have a couple of questions after moving from IBM/Dell external LTO5

[David26]

Hi all! I hope someone can help me by answering some/all of these questions. I previously had a LTO5 tape drive from Dell (IBM) and it worked well for a time until an adhesive label accidentally went into the mechanism with a tape and it killed it. I replaced it with a HPE Ultrium 3000 LTO-5 external SAS tape drive which I'm quite happy with but since I have well over 100 tapes for it now I'm looking into getting a StorEver Library system. Maybe a MSL4048. From what I understand, the external tape drive can't be put inside a MSL4048 library, right? It needs a different type LTO drive? Also, I am seeing second hand ads for MSL4048s that have no drives included but someone listing one is advertising it as Fibre Channel but without drives.... Is that right? I thought the SAS or FC part came from the drive, and perhaps this seller has made a mistake? I don't want to make the mistake of buying one and finding out I cant use it! 

So, I can just buy *any* MSL4048 and if it's in working order, buy a LTO5 HPE tape drive in SAS (or 2) that is made to fit it, and then I'll be ok?

One more quick question - I tried to find latest firmware for the Ultrium 3000 SAS unit I have an all of them asked for some code for warranty... HPE doesn't give free firmware updates? Ouch!

Thanks in advance. I really am finding the world of LTO very exciting!

Regards

David

[Cali]

From what I understand, the external tape drive can't be put inside a MSL4048 library, right? It needs a different type LTO drive?

No, you can't. It is mechanical completely different.

Also, I am seeing second-hand ads for MSL4048s that have no drives included but someone listing one is advertising it as Fibre Channel but without drives.... Is that right? I thought the SAS or FC part came from the drive, and perhaps this seller has made a mistake?

No. In Times of 4048 the Library was always sold with one Drive (FC/SAS/SCSI) included, so it has an FC/SAS/SCSI Part Number, even if someone later removes the Drive.

So, I can just buy *any* MSL4048 and if it's in working order, buy a LTO5 HPE tape drive in SAS (or 2) that is made to fit it, and then I'll be ok?

I expect this should work.

One more quick question - I tried to find latest firmware for the Ultrium 3000 SAS unit I have an all of them asked for some code for warranty... HPE doesn't give free firmware updates?
Yes, as most Companies today do, the Firmware Updates are now under Control of Support Contract (except critical security updates).

Cali