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Evaluating the Cost of a
DLTtape Backup Solution
QUANTUM DLTtape HANDBOOK
12
12.1
What does DLTtape system backup cost?
We could answer by showing you a price list, but that isn’t really
an answer at all. If you are considering using a DLTtape system for
backup, then you are in the market for a serious backup system.
Serious backup isn’t just buying a box. It is a mission critical function.
You need a systematic approach, and you need to make a significant
and continuing investment in backup. The box is just the beginning.
In this chapter we go into the details of the dollars and cents of back-
up. We start off, of course, with the most time honored answer to any
cost question: “It depends.” Then we follow up with another classic:
“What’s it worth to you?”
It Depends
First of all, do you really need the level of backup that the DLTtape
system provides? The “it depends” answer is really not as evasive as
it sounds. It should not be difficult to figure out what cost range
you should consider. Cost is driven primarily by the underlying
backup technology you choose, and that choice depends on your
needs. It depends on how much data you need to back up, how
often you need to back it up, how much time you have to do your
backup, and how valuable the data is. It also depends on what you
anticipate your future backup needs will be.