QuickSpecs

Backwards Compatibility
Backwards CompatibilityBackwards Compatibility
Backwards Compatibility HP DAT tape drives are backward read-write compatible with previous generations, thus:
DAT 320 also reads and writes DAT 160
DAT 160 also reads and writes DAT 72 and DDS-4
DAT 72 also reads and writes DDS-4 and DDS-3
DAT 40 also reads and writes DDS-3 and DDS-2
Proven Reliability
Proven ReliabilityProven Reliability
Proven Reliability HP DAT drives have proven to be exceptionally reliable. The drives have demonstrated exceptional
performance with customers over many years and across different generations and this has under pinned
their popularity.
The drives are designed with reliability in mind and with the security of customer's data as a priority.
Hardware reliability is typically measured as MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) associated with duty
cycles which suggests the amount the drive is typically used e.g. 100% duty cycle means the drive is used
for 24 hours per day. As a result of field data, the specification for HP DDS products is stated as
125,000 hours at 100% duty cycle, or 1 million hours at a more typical 12% duty cycle (drive used on
average for 3 hours per day).
Unlike other manufactures' DAT drives, this specification is not generated in the laboratory with limited
numbers of prototype drives and assumptions on customer use; it is generated from real customer data
for the products concerned.
Automated Head
Automated HeadAutomated Head
Automated Head
Cleaning/Intelligent
Cleaning/IntelligentCleaning/Intelligent
Cleaning/Intelligent
cleaning
cleaningcleaning
cleaning
HP DDS derives benefit from an automatic head cleaning "sweeper" that can be used during the write or
read recovery procedure to dislodge debris from the tape path and recording heads and drive. This
feature reduces the need to use a DDS cleaning cartridge for manual cleaning.
Intelligent cleaning determines the cleaning provided by a cleaning cartridge when loaded by monitoring
the drive performance when in use. If the drive is performing well, a routine maintenance clean is
performed. If the drive has degraded performance the cleaning is automatically made more robust to
recover the drive to optimum performance.
Interfaces
InterfacesInterfaces
Interfaces HP offers a range of interface options with our DAT Tape Drives in order to meet the varying needs of
our customers. HP DAT drives are available with a choice of: the standard SCSI interface where legacy
SCSI connectivity is required, USB 2.0 interface for universal plug and play connectivity and a SAS
interface option for the very latest in server connectivity.
Native SAS – Serial Attached SCSI
Native SAS – Serial Attached SCSINative SAS – Serial Attached SCSI
Native SAS – Serial Attached SCSI
As its name suggests, SAS delivers a new generation of technology based on a development of the
classic SCSI interface. First introduced in May 2002, the SAS interface leverages the proven SCSI
protocol to deliver new levels of scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness for today's system
connectivity, data transport, and data storage.
HP has introduced both DAT 320 and DAT 160 models with a native SAS interface that allows customers
to directly connect and backup SAS configured servers and take advantage of the latest connectivity
trends.
Why SAS?
Why SAS?Why SAS?
Why SAS?
For over 20 years, the parallel bus interface has been the mainstream storage interconnect for most
QuickSpecs
HP StorageWorks DAT Tape Drives
HP StorageWorks DAT Tape DrivesHP StorageWorks DAT Tape Drives
HP StorageWorks DAT Tape Drives
Product Highlights
DA - 11883 Worldwide — Version 35 — April 29, 2011 Page 8