[Pc_Support] Re: Backup methodology -- centralize for lower TCO

[Damien McKenna]

On Jun 27, 2006, at 4:45 PM, Bryan J. Smith wrote:
>> Because they don't make any good SATA cards that are plain PCI and
>> not PCI-X or PCI-E, unless I'm missing something regarding
>> compatibility between 64bit PCI and PCI-X?
>
> Huh?

The number of times I've typed "SATA" instead of "SAS" is getting to  
annoy me.  I meant SAS.

> The $100 3Ware Escalade 8006-2LP is a 64-bit/66MHz PCI card, universal
> 3.3V with 5V tolerance.  It works in 66MHz PCI-X slots too.  Then just
> use a couple of eSATA cables and you're set (although try to keep the
> length down).

Grand.  Any reason not to use a $20 el cheapo card?

> Any card that has an "external SATA" port on it is a _gimmick_.
> A $10 cable converter will do the same.  ;->

... if your machine has internal connectors.  Ours don't.

>> It is Ultra160 and it shares its bus with the older DLT-1 drive.
>
> Huh, oh.  Is that older DLT-1 drive single-ended (SE)?
> If so, then you're bus is running at 40MBps, _not_ 160MBps.

Good point, I'll look into it.

>> We only ever have one drive working at any one time, they're just
>> sitting there until needed.  Also, the server has two channels, one
>> internal and one external.
>
> Is the DLT internal?   If so, then it's on a different channel (good).

Nope, both tape drives are external, all of the internal disk drives  
are on a separate channel.

>> Cobian Backup, five minutes to set up, forget it afterwards.  Next?
>
> You just lost me there.

You were talking about workstation considerations, using freeware  
like Cobian Backup I really don't care about any server side  
fanciness as I'd rather use a free program at the workstation level  
that is simple and works well than putz at the server level.

On Jun 27, 2006, at 5:00 PM, Bryan J. Smith wrote:
> Here's a 2-port eSATA bracket with 5" cables for $5.98:
>   http://www.cooldrives.com/duesiipcipob.html

Nice, and they have nice enclosures too.

> Remember that SATA shouldn't go longer than 1m (39"), so you don't  
> want
> the rest of the cabling (including the cables internal to any external
> closure) to total more than that.  I know they talk about "shielded"
> eSATA going 2m, but don't count on more than 40" total.

OK, shouldn't be a problem but I'll keep it in mind.

Thanks.

-- 
Damien McKenna - Web Developer - dmckenna at thelimucompany.com
The Limu Company - http://www.thelimucompany.com/ - 407-804-1014
#include <stdjoke.h>