HP 3000 Manuals

General Information Manual

Backup Solutions 

The choice of a backup solution is specific to the customer, based on
applications, backup requirements, and other MIS strategies.  The
appropriate solution can depend on many of the following variables:  mass
storage configurations today and in the future, amount of data
interchange with non-HP systems, level of operator intervention or
unattended backup, continuous 24-hour processing, CPU utilization and
user impact, price/performance of solution, and future applications of
backup technology (that is, Rewritable Optical Disk Library System as a
future archival solution).

The HP 3000 offers a range of backup solutions from single file storage
to online, unattended system backup.  HP TurboSTORE/XL II provides
high-performance data backup as well as unattended dedicated backup and
unattended online data backup.  For more information on HP TurboSTORE/XL,
please refer to Chapter 3,
"HP 3000 Operating Environment".

Digital Data Storage (DDS) drives 

HP Series 6400, Models 1300H and 1300D DDS-format tape drive (P/N C1511A
HP-IB or P/N C2463 SCSI) advances backup technology by offering very high
capacity in a compact and low-cost device.  Based on digital audio tape
(DAT) technology, DDS format takes the DAT recording format as its base
and adds extra layers of error correction and data organization.  Three
levels of error correction with read-after-write ensure data integrity.
Widely accepted by other computer manufacturers, the DDS tape format has
become an industry standard for products based on DAT technology.

With the TurboSTORE/XL fast compression algorithm, each DDS cassette
records up to 2.7 Gbytes of data on inexpensive, high-quality media.  DDS
drives are embedded in 900 Series entry-level and midrange systems,
providing unattended backup for these systems.  With TurboSTORE/XL data
compression and four DDS drives, unattended capacities greater than 20
Gbytes can be achieved on Series 947, 957, 967, 960, and 980 systems.

As the amount of data per cassette increases, so does the need to improve
the access time to the stored data.  TurboSTORE/XL supports Fastsearch,
which minimizes the time to locate individual files, resulting in an
average 20-second access time per file.

Technical details are as follows: 

   *   digital data storage (DDS) format
   *   1.3 Gbytes capacity per cassette
   *   up to 5 Gbytes with TurboSTORE/XL data compression
   *   11-Mbytes-per-minute transfer rate
   *   large 512-Kbyte data buffer to maintain host transfer rate
   *   three level error correction code
   *   SCSI and HP-IB interface
   *   compact package


          Figure 7-3.  DAT Cartridge (supports 1.3 Gbytes of data) 

Rewritable Optical Disk Library 

HP Series 6300 Model 20GB/A Rewritable Optical Disk Library System
combines the latest 5.25-inch rewritable optical technology and an
autochanger.  It features two rewritable optical disk drives, 32
rewritable optical disk cartridges, a mail slot for loading and removing
the media, and an autochanger.  Each cartridge provides 650 Mbytes of
removeable storage (325 Mbytes per side.)  Model 20GB/A with
TurboSTORE/XL automates complex backup and recovery procedures, saving
valuable operator time.  With the high-density data compression algorithm
provided by TurboSTORE/XL, the library system can provide up to
approximately 70 Gbytes of storage for high-end HP 3000 systems.  Up to
three Rewritable Optical Disk Library Systems can be configured on an HP
3000 900 Series.

The rewritable optical media, housed in a tough plastic cartridge, will
retain data for at least 10 years, without maintenance.  Like a magnetic
disk, it provides unlimited read-write passes without degradation.  The
media is more resistant to magnetic interference than other media and can
withstand common office mishandling as the data is written and read with
a laser that focuses on the inner recording layer of the media.

Technical details are as follows: 

   *   library system (C1700A) capacity:  20.8 Gbytes (uncompressed) for
       deskside cabinet (option 1AB); 40 Gbytes (uncompressed) for 2
       library systems in 1-meter cabinet (option 1AC and 133)
   *   media capacity:  650 Mbytes (formatted)
   *   library system holds 32 optical disk cartridges
   *   approximate transfer rate:  1.4 Gbytes/hour per library system
   *   SCSI channel connection
   *   conforms to ANSI and ISO specifications for continuous composite
       format
   *   maintenance-free media archive life of at least 10 years

1/2-inch magnetic tape 

The HP 7980A and HP 7980XC 1/2-inch magnetic tape drives are the devices
of choice for HP 3000 customers who need data interchange with non-HP
systems.  These 1/2-inch magnetic tape drives offer high-performance
attended back-up solutions.  The HP 7980XC tape drive has an advanced
algorithm in the electronics and firmware that compresses the data on
tape by a factor of 2 to 5.  While most HP 3000 systems with typical
loads will experience satisfactory online backup performance using
TurboStore/XL II software data compression, heavily loaded systems can
achieve higher online backup performance by using the HP 7980XC tape
drive's hardware data compression.  The HP 7980XC also offers ANSI
standard PE (1600 bpi) and GCR (6250 bpi) formats.

The HP 7980A operates at both 1600 bpi and 6250 bpi.  A data compression
upgrade kit can be added at your site to upgrade an HP 7980A to an HP
7980XC.


          Figure 7-4.  The HP 7980XC Magnetic Tape Drive 

All drives have the same autoload feature that accepts any standard reel
from 6 to 10-1/2 inches.  The operator simply places the reel in the slot
and closes the door.  The drive does all the positioning and threading.
A tape speed of 125 inches per second, a 512-Kbyte buffer, and HP
Immediate Response and Read-Ahead software maximize streaming
performance.

Technical details are as follows: 

   *   density:  1600/6250 bpi (HP 7980A/HP 7980XC)
   *   format:  GCR/PE (HP 7980A/7980XC)
   *   capacity per reel:  700/140/40 Mbyte (7980XC),
       140/40 Mbyte (HP 7980A)
   *   operating mode:  Streaming or start/stop emulation
   *   tape speed (inches per second):  Read/write, 125 ips; rewind, 320
       ips average
   *   burst transfer rate (bytes per second):  781 Kbps (6250 bpi),
       200 Kbps (1600 bpi)
   *   two-track error detection and correction (6250 bpi)

MPE/iX 5.0 Documentation