[H-GEN] DVD+RW media for backups

[Greg Black]

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On 2003-11-18, Robert Brockway wrote:
> On Tue, 18 Nov 2003, Greg Black wrote:
> 
> > Can you define "robust" for me?  I know from experience that I
> > can drop my DDS tapes and that they will work afterwards.  Will
> > a disk do that?
> 
> I define robust as being able to be moved from site to site by whatever
> means of carry case I chose without fear the device won't work.  I don't
> include dropping the backup device as a requirement for robust.  That
> would come under the heading of "rugged" :)

OK, that's pretty much what I thought.  For me, personally, that
would do; but, for my family members, droppability would be a
real requirement.

> Incidentally DLT tapes aren't supposed to survive being dropped either -
> it breaks all the little teeth in the tape.

True, but outside the scope of this particular discussion.  DLT
tapes would typically be used in an environment where things
were handled by real sysadmins, who -- while quite capable of
dropping things -- could be expected to 'fess up and arrange
replacements.

DDS tapes, which are in scope here, seem to survive at least a
reasonable amount of floor contact.

> > On a different tack, I can fit several DDS tapes comfortably in
> > my pocket or in a corner of my briefcase or my laptop's carry
> > case.  How do the disks fare there?
> 
> Yes, size is an issue.  [Size discussion elided.]

As expected.

My own evaluation for SOHO and home use would still be to go
with tape, as both the concerns with disks present to me as
show-stoppers.  Obviously, others will come to different
conclusions and some of that will be a factor of what you're
comfortable with and the exact way you work.

> I can't understate the value in attempting a disaster recovery
> test _before_ the disaster happens.  It's amazing how apparently
> insignificant problems can make a restore much harder.  Best to figure
> these problems out ahead of time.

For everybody following this discussion, I hope you're taking
note of this stuff -- Rob and I are only repeating what every
experienced sysadmin knows from first-hand experience (either by
making a nasty mistake or, more likely, by being called in when
it was too late to mop up after a disaster).  Mind you, I'd have
thought it better to s/under/over/ in the paragraph above ...

Cheers, Greg

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