Backing Up with Tape Drives: Security Is What Counts

HP SDLT 320

The HP SDLT 320 is the test winner. More information on this device is contained in the Evaluation, Benchmarks and Editors' Choice sections as well as in the equipment table.

Tandberg SDLT 320

Three LEDs on the front of the Tandberg SDLT 320 reveal all operational states at a glance.

The SDLT 320, supplied in identical design by HP and Tandberg, offers by far the highest storage capacity in this test. Both manufacturers use Quantum's SDLT drives. With 160 GB net capacity, the units are suitable for storing large amounts of data. The device is downward compatible to its predecessor, the SDLT 220. Likewise, the SDLT 320 can read DLT-IV tapes. The drive fully occupies a 5_" tray. It has three LEDs on the front (operation, error, SDLT 220 mode).

The SDLT 320 does not have its own fan and is thus dependent on external ventilation. This means that the internal drive goes on strike after half an hour if it isn't properly ventilated. There's a note about this on Tandberg's website. The external HP drive with its own fan, on the other hand, runs without a murmur.

Thanks to a transfer rate of 16 MB/sec, the HP/ Tandberg product was the quickest drive in the test. The device is appreciably faster than the Viper 200 from Seagate. The per-gigabyte price of tapes is reasonable: $0.94 for HP and $1.34 for Tandberg. The drives themselves, however, are the most expensive of the field.

Owing to its excellent test results, the HP SDLT 320 gets our "Editors' Choice" award. Tandberg's SDLT 320 only just missed the accolade due to its slimmer equipment and service packages.