Hi all,
I've wanted to get a tape library for some time (eg. a TS3200 or TS3310), but the thing that's always a sticking point is firmware updates (and I guess licence keys, if you really want any of the added features). Unless you want to use the library pretty much as-is, you're going to need firmware updates to use newer LTO drives.
Questions:
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If you acquire an IBM tape library 2nd-hand (eg. from a liquidation) is there any path to getting paid support from IBM? I'd be open to the idea of buying a year of support, just to get the updates I need and buy any added licences I might want (and IBM get some money out of the deal). But, I don't know of a way to do this unless you're buying new.
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Are any of the other "manufacturers" (eg. Dell, Lenovo, HPE) which sell the same tape library unit(s) with a different badge more open to providing paid or free support for buyers of 2nd-hand equipment?