LOT3 SAS Card

Solution
That particular card has a a proprietary form-factor. It isn't going to fit in a standard PCI slot in a standard tower case.

I think any SAS card would work. Getting the correct cable(s) and drivers might be challenging.
OK, so I best stick to SCSI?

Would something like http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dell-Powervault-110T-LTO-3-SCSI-External-Tape-Drive-96P0926-LTO3-Ultrium-/291383554202? be a safer bet?

Ben
 


I don't think SAS is a bad choice, but that Dell card is specifically made to fit that chassis. Your limitation of no PCI-X or PCI-e REALLY limits the choices for cards. I didn't see any cards on E-Bay UK. You are more likely to find a SCSI adapter that is PCI (scanners and other devices were SCSI).

LTO3 is 4 generations old. That means that any hardware you are looking at probably has a lot of hours on it. Tape drives, which are primarily a mechanical device, wear out. I would only buy a tape drive that has some guarantee of working.
 
"I don't think SAS is a bad choice, but that Dell card is specifically made to fit that chassis. Your limitation of no PCI-X or PCI-e REALLY limits the choices for cards. I didn't see any cards on E-Bay UK. You are more likely to find a SCSI adapter that is PCI (scanners and other devices were SCSI).

LTO3 is 4 generations old. That means that any hardware you are looking at probably has a lot of hours on it. Tape drives, which are primarily a mechanical device, wear out. I would only buy a tape drive that has some guarantee of working."


Yes, certainly making sure I get a drive with some type of guarantee. My computer has all the slots taken up apart from a PCI slot which is why i am going that route. The reason I chose LOT3 is because it is affordable for me (both in terms of drives and cost per GB). I am using it to back up 32GB SD cards (video) mainly.

Be interested in hearing any other options worth considering for long term backup.

Ben
 


Not the cheapest solution, but I just built a desktop for a friend of mine and put a pair of 4TB disks internal for just that type thing. He can keep two copies on two NAS (24x7) rated disks.