> > i have a backup server with a bunch of high capacity EIDE drives and
> > use Amanda. works pretty well and cost effective.
> 
> it does not give you so much security as it could unless you turn it off
> after doing backup. backup media MUST be offline after backup or it isn't
> more secure than having simply mirrored harddrives in machines

Are tape-changer DDS/DLT/etc tapes sitting in a multi-tape cassette
much more "offline" then a spun-down, unmounted IDE drive that was
used as the target for a backup tar once a day?

I haven't yet gotten up the nerve to try one of those removable IDE
frames that has a power switch for the IDE drive in the locking
mechanism.  Unlocking the frame retention slider powers down the IDE
drive's +5v and +12v.  The company implies that one can swap a drive
without turning the whole computer off, but I'm not sure I buy it
unless they plainly state how they addressed the issues of 1) making
sure that the ground pin loses contact last and 2) making sure that
the IDE control/data lines remain tri-stated during the whole
operation.

-wolfgang
-- 
Wolfgang Rupprecht    <wolfgang@wsrcc.com>     http://www.wsrcc.com/wolfgang/
Coming soon: GPS mapping tools for Open Systems. http://www.gnomad-mapping.com/