Re: Experience with EVault

[rob@xxxxxxxxx]

There's a couple of these products out there.  Some require a "device" The 
device is treated like a normal tape drive.  You use your standard 
save/restore commands.  This device automatically transfers the data 
remotely.  Some features and options may include:  Does the device do 
deduplication before sending the data out?  Thus reducing transmission 
time.  Does the device give you a physical tape and a remote copy?
Some have no device but use their custom software to communicate with the 
remote device.  Sure, alternate IPL device becomes a concern.  Then you 
also have to consider, in a multi lpar system, how many physical devices 
would you need versus no device and sending data out via the lan?

Other costs and stuff to consider.  Iron Mountain.  We send our physical 
media to Iron Mountain.  No local copy.  Now, we have to make sure we get 
our tapes unloaded and prepared for shipment before they come.  Their time 
varies between 9am and 1pm.  Depending on whether or not someone requests 
a special delivery (help, I need to restore from tape xxx001).  The 
operator needs someone to cover for her.  She has never made it to our 
monthly meetings at the main plant because she has to wait on Iron 
Mountain.  And it sometimes interferes with lunch plans.  With so few 
people in here we've been known to lock the doors and head out for lunch. 
Heck if it wasn't for tapes this building could be lights out and we'd be 
in the main office.  True, the people in the main office envy our ability 
to work uninterrupted.  I know of people who's 'main office' for their 
computers is in some third party bunker and they are not allowed in.


Rob Berendt