Recommended LTO-5 Drive/Controller

[Kenny782]

I'm getting ready to buy a new server (R510) from Dell with vm 4.1 essentials.

I've seen alot of tape drive issues on here.

Can anyone recommend an LTO-5 tape drive and controller that is known to work with 4.1?

Thanks.

[idle-jam]

most importantly it's the card that matters most. for more info please refer to here: http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php

[AndreTheGiant]

The standard SAS/e card from Dell works fine.

Andre

[MauroBonder]

finally to help. See how add tape to virtual machine http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1016407

good luck

[Kenny782]

Great thanks guys, so I can pretty much use any LTO5 single drive on that default SAS controller?

Not to question you but can I just ignore this clip I found the other night:

• As of vSphere 4.0, ESX only supports connectivity to parallel SCSI tape libraries.
  
• VMware only supports the attaching of Parallel SCSI based tape Devices to an Adaptec SCSI Controller, see Page 20 of the Virtual Machine Backup Guide for further information
  

Thanks.

[VirtualWatts]

Bump -

I'm interested in clarification from Kenny's question as well, because the link Mauro sent on "how" to attach the tape drive clearly states only Parallel SCSI is supported.

"Note: ESX/ESXi supports parallel SCSI tape libraries only."

And yet, with the VMX edits I've seen in this forum it appears you can address the library and the tape unit over SAS.

Is the key word "libraries", i.e. tape changer?

Rick

[DSTAVERT]

The only supported option for locally attached tape devices is Adaptec Parallel SCSI.

This does not mean that you can't attach another device but the only directly supported configuration is as above. Several OEMs will offer direct support. Fujitsu offers direct support and I believe so does Dell. If you want support for your device make sure that the manufacturer offers it. If you are willing to go it alone then search these forums for the brands / models that you want to use.

[VirtualWatts]

Thanks - So the key word is "Supported".

Yep, lots of searches here already with limited 4.1 results.  Not sure if we're interested in the self-service model.  Especially since Symantec also states that "if you virtualize you must use adaptec parallel scsi".

Well, we'll give it a test next week when we are on site.  We have this unused Powervault 124T just sitting there.......

This is a D2D2T solution so the tapes are not primary backup, nonetheless they are expected to be reliable.

[Kenny782]

I can't believe they still don't have an official release with this info.