Skip to main content

What is Best Backup Hardware

Thread needs solution

My DLT-V4 tape drive died last night. I am not pleased with it, it is only 15 months old. Anyway to the point. I am going to buy new backup hardware. I am running Symantic Backup Exec, but have purchased True iImage Echo Server with Universal Restore. Since I intend to buy new hardware I want to know what is the best hardware technology to run....with True Image Server.
Tapes or USB Dock with Sata Drives. Since a USB dock and half a dozen 500gb 2.5" sata II drives costs about the same as a DLT V4 quantum drive with 1 tape I am thinking the drives would be faster. Anyone know of any pros or cons with the different solutions?

0 Users found this helpful

Hello Daniel Hesse,

Thank you very much for posting your questions, I will be happy to answer them.

I am terribly sorry that I cannot recommend to you a specific hardware model, because we are not allowed to do so. However, I do believe that in your situation, using a USB dock would be more productive because, as you mentioned, it is faster. Also, you have Symantec's Backup Exec, we have an issue with that - Acronis Products Cannot Access Tape Drives if There Is Symantec's Backup Exec Installed.

Since you are using Acronis True Image Echo Server for Windows, you may also want to check this article that mentions a minor limitation for working with tape drives in this version.

Please let me know if you have additional questions and I will be very happy to reply.

Thank you.

The article for backing up to tape vs hdd leads me to a second question. I do intend to get rid of Symantic. I plan on not using tape backups. The article states specifically for limiting the number of the backups or the period, it needs to be on an internal hdd. So this makes me think I need a removable drive caddy that hooks up to internal Sata connector vs a USB drive dock. I really liked the dock idea, but if it must be an internal drive I dont think it will work because USB drive would show up as removable media. Is this accurate?

My vote is for Seagate FreeAgent Go drives coupled with their docking station for easy swapping. Be advised. The Echo Series has problems with external USB drives but I have found work arounds that seem to make it flawless. Search the knowledgebase for Sector 63 Errors and then refer to article 1514 for the fixes...

Hello all,

Jim Becher,

Thank you for your valuable assistance.

Daniel Hesse,

It will be entirely up to Windows, to determine the type of your external USB dock. It can detect them either as an external storage device or as removable media. If there is a way for you to test this, or contact the manufacturer and ask for more details, then it will more clear which hardware setup suits you better.

Please let me know if you have additional questions.

Thank you.

I have had good service by taking a Seagate SATA drive and putting it into a Thermaltake Max 4 Active Cooling eSATA & USB Combo enclosure.

Here is what the enclosure looks like...
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?S=1318&ID=1659
The only bad point to this setup is that if you use the enclosure lying horizontally, all of the switch and connector labels are upside down. I do not find that a deal breaker, but you should be aware.

There is also this eSATA & USB dock, but I have no direct experience with it.
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?S=1268&ID=1731

Hope This Helps.