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See the available tape autoloaders from Data Storage Systems,Inc. |
A tape autoloader is a device which houses a single tape drive, multiple tape cartridges and the robotics to automatically load and unload the cartridges in and out of the drive. Tape autoloaders are typically used when a backup job will not fit on a single cartridge or when multiple backup jobs need to be kept "on-line" for easy access to perform restores. In conjunction with appropriate backup software, when one cartridge is full the robotics of the tape autoloader will unload the cartridge and insert a blank cartridge to continue the backup. |
A tape library is a device which houses multiple tape drives, multiple tape cartridges and the robotics to automatically load and unload the cartridges in and out of the drives. Tape libraries, sometimes referred to as jukeboxes, are similar to autoloaders in that with software they will automatically replace a "full" cartridge with an empty to complete a backup but they also allow the use of multiple drives simultaneously. Using multiple drives provides several advantages including the ability to perform multiple backup/restore jobs at the same time as well as increased speed. A tape library's potential maximum throughput is directly related to the type and number of tape drives it houses. We say potential here because real life throughput rates are also effected by host systems and networks. Barcode scanners are typically standard equipment on tape libraries though they are options on some autoloaders. A barcode scanner allows for much faster access to data contained on a particular data cartridge. Instead of loading each tape into a drive to read the tape's information to see if the data is there, backup software will keep track of which tape has the data based on a barcode number. |
See the availble tape libraries from Data Storage Systems, Inc. |
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