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Repurpose IBM FastT for Backup Storage

U

USF-Nealio

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jan 18, 2012
Messages
373
Currently, 95% my office's local backup is to tape. I'd like to repurpose 3 IBM FastT's that are coming out of production for use as local backup storage. I know that one of the servers that was used to host one of the FastT's is coming out of production, and I may get the other 2 hosts as well as long as they aren't needed elsewhere.

In their previous life, they were all connected to their master with fiber. Looking at the unit's themselves, it appears to be the only option.

I already have a Backup Exec server that is connected to an ADIC Scalar tape library via SCSI. I am allowed to make small purchases to interconnect the devices, but I'm pretty sure I don't have a budget for a FC Switch or anything else as expensive. Knowing that, how would [H] recommend I put these disk shelves into use?
 
I think you're speaking to a small percentage of the forum.

It might help to go in depth about what exactly the IBM hardware is.... DAS? NAS? Straight up servers? Include processors, disk types and capacity.

I believe fiber equipment can be directly connected to other fiber equipment, which might let you set up a "Hub" server with the three units attached to it. Since its IBM and I am unfamiliar with it I'm not sure what kind of hoops you will have to jump through to do that.
 
I apologize for the vagueness of the question. I actually just discovered that one of the devices was mislabeled in our inventory, and is not actually the same as the other 2.

2 of the FAStT's are IBM DS4300 series Fiber Channel SAN arrays.
ds4300_fasst600.jpg


They have dual controllers, with 2 Host links and 1 expansion link per controller.
ds4300_controller.jpg


The remaining FAStT is an EXP710, a Fiber Channel Disk Shelf expansion module.
exp700_front2.jpg


It has dual controllers with a single FC in and out per controller.
IBM_DS4000_EXP710a.jpg
 
I realize this post has been around for abit but wanted to let you know that it is a requirement for the BE Server to have FC connection to SANs

Backup Exec Support Tech
 
Thanks for the heads up. Since the SAN's don't use the Ethernet for anything other than management, I had pretty much expected that the only way they'd work was direct connection, but it's good to know for sure.
 
2gb FC switches will be cheap on ebay.... if you don't mind playing with old junk :D

Maybe you can get a HBA and use direct attach using fibre even.
 
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