>Thanks a bunch, Ed. As is usually the case, you have provided all the information needed and then some.
>
>I had stayed away from PC tape drives because a friend had a bad experience, but your points are important and I will definitely look into one for the new machine. I had been 'satisfied' with alternate drive backups of crucial directories, but that needn't cancel out tape.
>
>I'll need to digest the balance of your reply as well as investigate a few things before buying anything. Bragging rights are of no interest if the actual performance doesn't match, so it looks like I'll be saving myself some bucks once I fully understand these relationships.
>
>Thank again,
>
>Jim N
>

Jim,

We use a DLT here at work and it's been a GREAT experience.

We use ArcServeIt 6.something-but-it's-the-latest-build *g* and it's worked OK. Not sure who else is out there with respect to NT-based backup software but if I were to purchase another tape drive I'd check around. ArcServeIT works as intended but I tend to get nervous purchasing software froma company known for "borg-ing" other companies. *g* The only other trouble I've had is that when we upgraded to SQL 7.0 ArcServeIT wasn't ready. Now fixed, but at the time a major annoyance. IOW, make sure that all the software you intend to use like this is 'ready to rumble' with your intended platform. Not fun if one of the pieces becomes a monry sink because it won't work together.

I don't know your pain tolerance level - well, other than being a FoxPro developer and hanging out here - ok, you're durable *g*.. Anyway, I kind of enjoy building my own boxes for the learning (read pai *g*) experiences. It does help.

OTOH, I've been eyeing some new Netfinity servers from IBM for some future stuff and I have to tell you that from everything I've seen the Netfinity line is VERY HIGHLY regarded by those who seek hardware reliability. They have these cool models that are only something like 1.5 inches high! Since I want to rack mount my future stuff this is almost too cool to pass up.

And, yes, I'm a gadge-a-holic. *bg*

Best,

DD