[blaiserulez]

Is it possible to use a DAT72 (DDS5) drive (external, 68pin SCSI) with IRIX 6.5 to create system backups?
Any experience?

[Archaic]

I imagine that it should work fine.  I have actually just got a hold of one for $20 with some tapes on the way.  I do like that it can read/write DDS-3 and DDS-4 tapes as well if you get an HP drive.  I will let you know how it goes when I receive the tapes later this week.

Edit -- I am actually getting DDS-4 Tapes, not DDS-5 Tapes, but I don't think that should make any difference.  DDS-5 tapes are still going for too much $$$.

[Raion]

I've an article on the wiki about LTO, which is what I use.

[Archaic]

It will back up to the DAT72 drive if it is the only one in the system, but it shows up as an unknown drive type. I would follow Raion's suggestion and get an LTO drive that is supported by one of the configurations in the wiki.

[Raion]

Theoretically, LTO-6 is even possible. Ultrium drives don't change much with each iteration other than capacity.

[Titox]

Some years ago we had a discussion about DAT72 drives in Irix. I remember some configuration must be done is a file I don't remember the name to archieve the maximum transfer speed.

BTW HP drives don't work on Silicon Graphics, you can check this HP manual on page 27: v5.book (trailing-edge.com)[url=http://bitsavers.trailing-edge.com/pdf/hp/tape/dat/DDS_VOL5_UNIX_Ed9_200301.pdf][/url]

I have a Dell branded Seagate drive on my Fuel and I think It works but no as fast as it should be. I will check this afternoon if I can find a compatible tape.

[blaiserulez]

Thank you all, I think I will skip this DAT72 route and try to get some DDS4 drive.
I'm a little bit concerned however about the whole DDS idea. These drives are pretty old and complicated mechanic things, I'm not sure the small fragile plastic parts and gears makes them a reliable system backup solution...
Perhaps a HDD cloning process is better, I don't know.