On Sep 19, 2009, at 1:31 AM, Christopher Range wrote:
I have used RAID for several years. When I used a JBOD system, I always had problems with backing up data. I did have a tape backup unit in the system. But, I have always found tape backup problematic. I had a 250MB TB unit. But, The tapes were hard to obtain. Now, I have a bunch of unused 200-400GB tapes which, I can't use. Since they are for the IBM LTO2 Tape Drive and, that drive alone, is over $1,000.
RAID has similar problems. Earlier this week I was having a conversation with a network engineer for a large bank. His full-time responsibility is managing servers. He readily admitted that the most common problem he encounters these days is failures of the raid controller. When that happens you have to replace with an equivalent controller. If you can't none of the data on the drives will be accessible.
Some people have made a business out of stocking old RAID controllers and selling them for big bucks.
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