Tape drive to HBA connection

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tcpluess

Member
Jan 22, 2024
97
9
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Hello friends,
I have the following little task that I would like to do.
So I got a tape drive LTO-6 and some tapes, as I would like to have an additional offsite backup, and also because I want to learn a bit more about tape.
I have currently a normal 5.25" tape drive mounted in an external case, and the connector used is an SFF-8087 and I have a SAS cable that fits to this. Also for test purposes, I installed a 9207-8e HBA that lets me connect the tape drive externally. Works fine!
However, I figured I would like it more if the tape drive would be mounted in my machine. I still have a 5.25" slot for use. Further, I have also some IBM H1110 HBAs and a breakout cable from SFF-8086 to 4x SATA. However the tape drive has a SFF-8482 connector.
So what would be my best option to connect that drive to my HBA and power supply?
I also see the drive is a bit long. When I put it into the chassis, it fits, but behind it, there is not so much space to fit a straight connector, so a 90° angled connector would maybe be better. What choices are there for such a setup? or is having a tape drive internally anyways a bad idea?
 
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potrebitel

Member
May 8, 2020
43
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Tape drives require air flow for some cooling. The external tape enclosures have fans to do exactly this. If you have a tape drive without the required air flow, you might damage it and/or the tape during operation. And the airflow has to go through the drive, not around the drive.

If you cannot ensure there is enough cooling, the 'proper' external tape enclosures on top of the case are the best way to go.
 
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tcpluess

Member
Jan 22, 2024
97
9
8
thanks, yes I already realise that the external case provides more airflow than my server could provide. So I leave it in there.

While not directly related to HBA and an internal tape drive, I still have one remaining question:
what is better, a full height or a half height tape drive? like, what is the advantage of the full height drives. Are they quieter, or better build quality, or longer lasting? i.e. if I buy a second tape drive, should I better buy a full height one or half height?
 
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