INFOBrief
Dell™PowerVault™ 132T
Tape Library
Key Points
The Dell PowerVault
132T Tape Library is a
cost-effective, scalable,
high performance tape
backup solution for
network or SAN backup.

The PowerVault 132T is a cost effective tape library that delivers a
robust, mid-range backup solution for distributed backup
environments or consolidated SAN backup applications.

The PowerVault 132T can be configured with either one or two
drives to help back up important data fast. Drive options include
SDLT 320, Ultrium LTO (LTO-1), or Ultrium 2 LTO (LTO-2).

With SDLT 320, capacity ranges up to 21 tape cartridges; LTO-1
and LTO-2 capacities range up to 24 tape cartridges.

High performance super-drive tape technology delivers up to
115GB/hr (SDLT 320), 108GB/hr (LTO-1), and 252GB/hr (LTO-2) of
compressed backup performance per drive.

An optional, embedded 2 Gb/sec fibre channel router can be used
to deliver a high-performance SAN backup solution.

The PowerVault 132T offers intuitive management capabilities,
including an easy to use LCD panel with five button controls, a
Remote Management Unit (RMU), and a standard barcode reader.

The availability features of the PowerVault 132T include library
partitioning and warm swap drives, built to deliver maximum
uptime.

Dell’s PowerVault tape backup strategy is to deliver open
automation platforms with industry-leading technologies to offer
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flexibility to meet the backup needs of distributed or consolidated
architectures and a variety of IT environments.
Background
At the same time that typical server storage capacity is increasing, the
backup window -- the time allotted to perform the backup -- is shrinking,
and for organizations that operate seven days a week, twenty four hours a
day, that window is approaching non-existent. As a result, these
organizations require ever-increasing capacity and performance for
backup products.
When explosive data requirements call for a high performance tape library
with scalable capacity, there is the PowerVault 132T. The PowerVault 132T
offers tremendous flexibility as a direct-attached LAN backup device or
consolidated SAN backup capabilities.
Super drive technology, such as LTO and SDLT 320, featured in the
PowerVault 132T, offers compelling backup performance, and excellent
reliability. LTO is a relatively new linear technology designed to deliver
the same tape format (Ultrium LTO) from several providers, at cost
competitive prices. There are two generations of LTO available in the 132T
to help meet backup requirements.
Product Description
The PowerVault 132T Tape Library has a standard-length, 4U height (1U =
1.75 inches) form factor, which accommodates up to two tape drives, and
has room for 21 SDLT 320 or 24 LTO (1 or 2) tape cartridges. The
PowerVault 132T can be ordered as a desk-side model, or rack mountable.
If ordered as a rack mount solution, Dell provides versa rails for efficient
installation. Customers can also purchase a conversion kit to make a desk
side unit rack mountable.
Available as a direct attached, Ultra-2 SCSI backup device, the PowerVault
132T also allows for a 2 Gb/s fibre channel router to be installed for SAN
backup needs. Available in one or two drive configurations, the
PowerVault 132T has the flexibility to address application needs like an
autoloader, with the ability to add a second tape drive to meet the needs of
higher-demanding backup applications. This flexibility is due to
component modularity. While tape drives can slide into the back of the
unit, the fibre channel module also plugs in to allow for fibre channel
connectivity.
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Product Details
The PowerVault 132T tape library offers many advanced features designed
to simplify manageability, ensure ease of use and boost library availability.
The multi-function operator panel provides an easy to read display and
five-button keypad for monitoring and controlling the operations of the
library. Removable cartridge magazines allow for easy insertion and
removal of tape cartridges. The barcode scanner, standard with every
PowerVault 132T, reads barcode labels and presents label IDs to the LCD
and the host without losing storage capacity. The magazine and rear
storage slots employ a design that prevents the cartridges from being
inserted incorrectly, helping to maximize library uptime.
The built-in diagnostic firmware indicates when drive head cleaning is
required, and reports diagnostic results and drive operating status. Real
time sensors monitor data locations and several types of diagnostic tests.
Auto clean enables the library to automatically clean the drives when
cleaning is required. An output log, available through the serial port, logs
errors, diagnostic messages, and events.
LTO technology – a powerful, open tape architecture co-developed by
Hewlett-Packard, IBM®, and Seagate – is setting the stage for a new
generation of tape storage products that are expected to surpass current
tape capacity and performance benchmarks, while maintaining high data
integrity. It combines the advantages of linear, multi-channel, bidirectional formats with enhancements in servo technology, data
compression, track layout, and error correction code to help maximize
capacity, performance and reliability.
Table 1
Maximum Backup rates1 of SDLT 320 drives within the PowerVault
132T
1
Number of
SDLT 320
Drives
Backup Rate (MB/s)
Backup Rate (GB/hr)
Compressed Backup
Rate (GB/hr)
assuming 2:1
compression
1
16
57.6
115.2
2
32
115.2
230.4
Actual performance is dependant on settings, user environment and applications.
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Table 2
Maximum Backup rates1 of LTO drives within the PowerVault 132T
Number of
LTO-1
Drives
Backup Rate (MB/s)
Backup Rate (GB/hr)
Compressed Backup
Rate (GB/hr)
assuming 2:1
compression
1
15
54
108
2
30
108
216
Table 3
Maximum Backup rates1 of LTO-2 drives within the PowerVault 132T
Number of
LTO-2
Drives
Backup Rate (MB/s)
Backup Rate (GB/hr)
Compressed Backup
Rate (GB/hr)
assuming 2:1
compression
1
35
126
252
2
70
252
504
Table 4
Features, Functions, and Benefits of the PowerVault 132T Tape
Library
Feature
Function
Benefit
Performance1
The PowerVault 132T LTO-2
tape library boasts 35 MB/s
maximum data transfer rate
per drive (native). This
translates to 126 GB/hr.
Organizations can back-up
more information in less time.
Scalable Capacity2
The native capacity of LTO-2
media is 200GB. Up to 24
cartridges can be used,
yielding 4.8 TB maximum.
Organizations can choose the
capacity they need and
backup up to 4.84TB of data.
Fibre Channel Module
The 2Gb/s fibre channel router
option enables SAN
connectivity.
Helps provide investment
protection, as the PowerVault
132T can be ordered with the
module or upgraded for SAN
backup.
Manageability
A remote management card
allows users to access and
monitor the library via a web
Users can remotely observe
the status of backup jobs.
1
Actual performance is dependant on settings, user environment and applications.
2
Few users will actually realize the maximum capacity.
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Feature
Function
Benefit
browser.
Deciding between the PowerVault 132T and PowerVault 136T
The PowerVault 132T LTO tape library is a lower-cost backup solution
than the PowerVault 136T for organizations that need to have the
flexibility to backup their LAN or SAN data (see Table 5). The PowerVault
132T offers a rack-dense 4U backup solution with the ability to scale up to
4.8TB of uncompressed data. The PowerVault 136T delivers a more
scalable solution, for customer environments that demand a multiple terabyte backup solution with high performance requirements. Both
libraries can transition from a native SCSI connection into a LAN-free SAN
backup solution with the addition of an embedded fibre channel router.
The PowerVault 132T is ideal for:

Small businesses looking to lower administration costs by automating
backup for their clients and servers

Large organizations requiring a SAN backup solution for up to ~500GB
of data

Cost-conscious users who want a high performance super drive library

Users who require easy to use, automated backup solutions

PowerEdge™ server customers

Dell | EMC SAN customers
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Table 5
Feature Comparison of the PowerVault 132T and the PowerVault 136T
Feature
PowerVault 132T
PowerVault 136T
Maximum
Performance
(with max. # of
drives)
115GB/hr (uncompressed) SDLT
345GB/hr (uncompressed) SDLT
108GB/hr (uncompressed) LTO-1
324GB/hr (uncompressed) LTO-1
252GB/hr (uncompressed) LTO-2
756GB/hr (uncompressed) LTO-2
Maximum
Capacity (with
all slots filled
with media)
3.36TB (uncompressed) SDLT
9.6TB (uncompressed) SDLT
2.4TB (uncompressed) LTO-1
7.2TB (uncompressed) LTO-1
4.8TB (uncompressed) LTO-2
14.4TB (uncompressed) LTO-2
SAN
connectivity
Optional 2 Gigabit fibre channel
embedded router
Optional 2 Gigabit fibre channel
embedded router
Management
Remote web-based or local
management
Remote web-based or local
management.
Size
4U or tabletop
14U or tabletop
Conversion kit available
Tape Drive
Scalability
Up to 2 Ultra-2 SCSI tape drives,
including SDLT 320, LTO-1, or
LTO-2
Up to 6 Ultra-2 SCSI tape drives,
including SDLT 320, LTO-1, or
LTO-2
Tape
Cartridge
Scalability
Up to 21 SDLTtape1 cartridges,
and up to 24 Ultrium LTO (1 or 2)
tape cartridges
Up to 60 SDLTtape1 cartridges,
and up to 72 Ultrium LTO (1 or 2)
tape cartridges
Software
support
Dell Tape Backup software (CA
BrightStor ARCserve or VERITAS
Backup Exec)
Dell Tape Backup software (CA
BrightStor ARCserve or VERITAS
Backup Exec)
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Hardware Requirements and Supported Software
Hardware
The Dell platforms that support the use of the PowerVault 132T LTO tape
library are the PowerEdge 1550, 1650, 1750, 2550, 2650, 2500, 2600, 4400,
4600, 6400, 6600, 6450, 6650, 8450, 8650, and the PowerVault 725N, 770N,
and 775N.
Operating Systems

Microsoft Windows® 2003

Microsoft Windows® 2000

Microsoft® Windows NT® 4.0

Red Hat® Linux®

Novell® NetWare 5.0, 5.1 & 6.0
Backup Software Supported
The following list of backup software is fully tested by Dell and supported
for the PowerVault 132T Tape Library:

CA BrightStor ARCserve 9 for Windows

CA BrightStor ARCserve 2000 for Windows

CA BrightStor ARCserve 7.0 for Linux

CA BrightStor ARCserve 7.0 for NetWare

VERITAS Backup Exec 9.0 for Windows

VERITAS Backup Exec 8.6 for Windows

VERITAS Backup Exec 9.0 for NetWare
For More Information
For more information on LTO/ Ultrium technology please refer to the
following URL:
http://www.lto-technology.com/
Service and Support
The Dell PowerVault 132T comes with the following:
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
Three-year limited warranty3 supplemented with three years of
Next Business Day4 parts replacement and one year of Next
Business Day labor5.

7-day/24-hour Lifetime Telephone Technical Support for
troubleshooting and diagnosis of Dell hardware.

7-day/24-hour on-line services featuring extensive support
capabilities.
The Dell PowerVault 132T has the following optional services:

Premier Enterprise Consulting Services delivered by Dell
Technology Consulting, provides robust services to design, test,
validate, tune, and deploy IT solutions based on Dell server and
storage technologies.

Premier Enterprise Deployment Services including pre-installation
site planning and on-site system installation.

Premier Enterprise Support Services to help maximize system
uptime through problem prevention, rapid issue resolution and
easy to select support offerings. Offers four tiers of supportPlatinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze.
Platinum and Gold level support key features include:





Engineer-to-engineer support from Dell's dedicated Enterprise
Expert Center;
Technical account managers providing a single point of
accountability for problem resolution;
Remote storage and software support (for Microsoft, Novell and
Red Hat Linux);
Seamless support with select third-party products to resolve issues
through Dell as the single point of accountability and
24x7 on-site hardware service coverage with up to a six-hour
repair commitment with options for on-site engineers, on-site
spares, and on-site troubleshooting.
The Silver Support level offers 24x7 hardware and software technical
phone support from Dell's trained enterprise support staff with four-hour
response on-site hardware service. Bronze Support, for non-time sensitive
systems, includes 24x7 hardware technical phone support, online technical
assistance and next-business-day response with on-site labor5 and parts
replacement5.
For a complete copy of our Guarantees or Limited Warranties, please write Dell USA, L.P.,
One Dell Way, Round Rock, TX 78682. For more information, visit
www.dell.com/us/en/gen/services/service_service_plans.htm.
3
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Replacement part or unit will be dispatched if necessary following phone-based
troubleshooting. To receive your replacement part or unit the next business day, Dell must be
able to dispatch the part or unit before 5 p.m. (depending on service contract) C.S.T.
Availability varies.
4
Service may be provided by third-party. Technician will be dispatched if necessary
following phone-based troubleshooting. Subject to parts availability, geographical
restrictions and terms of service contract. Service timing dependent upon time of day call
placed to Dell. U.S. only.
5
Dell, PowerVault and PowerEdge are trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation. Microsoft
and Windows are registered trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation. Red Hat is a registered
trademark of Red Hat, Inc. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Linear TapeOpen, LTO, and Ultrium are trademarks of Hewlett-Packard, IBM, and Seagate. DLT is a
trademark of Quantum Corporation. Novell is a registered trademark of Novell, Inc. Other
trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities
claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell disclaims proprietary interest in the
marks and names of others.
©Copyright 2003 Dell Computer Corporation. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any
manner whatsoever without the express written permission of Dell Computer Corporation is
strictly forbidden. For more information contact Dell. Dell cannot be responsible for errors in
typography or photography.
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