I've noticed that most tape drive vendors provide two options: full-height or half-height. The half-height drives are physically smaller and less expensive, yet seem to have identical specifications compared to their full-height peers.
What is the real difference between these drives? If they were really identical in operation, I'm sure that nobody would purchase the more expensive full-height drives, and they would stop being produced.
Best Answer
Half height used to have limited connection options, however now support almost everything full heights do. Except maybe ESCON, but if you're using that, you have bigger problems (and budgets).
The main difference between the two now is maximum speed. The tapes are the same and interchangeable, but a half height goes maybe 70% the speed as a full height. Check the vendor's published specs to be completely sure.