Overview

Disk-based backup (Virtual Tape Library) is emerging as the fastest growing storage technology due to the high availability and reliability of disk based storage. When you couple this with the dramatic drop in disk pricing the TapeMaster mSeries VTL solution should be an integral part of your backup and replication environment. Previous VTL systems were not easy to implement and use. They were poor in performance due to older disk and controller technologies. The new TapeMaster mSeries Virtual Tape Library for takes disk-based backup to the next level by addressing these issues in a compact cost-effective turnkey solution. Only the TapeMaster mSeries VTL offers all of the following features: Software transparent operation. Because the TapeMaster mSeries VTL emulates standard tape drives, it works with virtually any backup software. This means no additional software requirement and minimal re-training of your operators. Ultrafast data restore. Typically, it can take minutes or even hours to restore system files from tape. The TapeMaster mSeries VTL can retrieve and restore files in seconds. High performance. The TapeMaster mSeries VTL uses advanced VTL technology and high capacity RAID disk array OR hard drive technology that removes system overhead in backup operations, thus allowing you to perform mission critical backups on the fly at any time. Most other VTL products are either software based or they utilize PC based disk backup and therefore are not optimized for today's demanding backup requirements. Automatic Virtual Tape to Physical Tape Duplication. A unique feature of the TapeMaster mSeries VTL is that the backup data can be directly archived onto your current tape drive or tape library for disaster recovery and long-term storage, essential for new stringent data retention and access regulations Available for Windows, UNIX/Linux & iSeries/AS400 systems. The TapeMaster mSeries VTL emulates standard tape libraries and tape drives. As a result, the host system is completely unaware that it is backing up data to disk drives instead of tape. All backup programs and utilities (BRMS,OS/400 SAVLIB and 21 SAV commands for the iSeriesTM, Legato NetWorker, CA Arcserve 2000, Microsoft NTBackup, etc.) work with no modifications or operator re-training. The TapeMaster mSeries VTL supports D-IPL booting with iSeriesTM and AS/400® systems.

TapeMaster mSeries Features

High-performance Disk-Based Backup with capacities available up to 80 Terabytes Backs up and restores files at disk speeds and with RAID Array reliability and high availability. Works transparently with Back up Utilities. Built-in emulations for popular tape drives and tape libraries. Supports external tape drive, tape library, or tape autoloader for VTL to physical tape archiving. Cost-effective The hard drives within the TapeMaster mSeries VTL are partitioned into logical tape volumes. For example, if the VTL is set to emulate an IBM 3580 Ultrium 2 each logical tape volume would be 200 megabytes in size (the size of an Ultrium 2 cartridge). These logical volumes are accessed just as if they were tape cartridges in a tape drive. A unique feature of the TapeMaster mSeries VTL is that the backup data can be directly replicated onto tape for disaster recovery or long-term storage. Unlike other disk based backup solutions, this archiving is done with no host computer intervention. The archived tapes are written in the standard tape format, so they can be read on any tape drive (e.g., if the archive tape drive is a LTO drive, the tapes are written in standard LTO format and can be read on any LTO drive). The archiving can be done in any of two ways: Selective Archive. Archives selected volumes to physical tape via the front panel. Auto Archive. Automatically archives all logical tape volumes to physical tape. Configuration and Operation of the TapeMaster mSeries VTL Determine the amount of disk storage you require: Calculate the amount of incremental backup (daily /weekly) X the number of increments required for on-line retrieval. For example, if you backup 400 GB/day and require 5 days of backup you would specify 2TB of usable disk storage. Keep in mind that the disk virtual tape volumes are not compressed as is the data on tape cartridges. Plan your required disk capacity using the actual data size of your backup and not the number of tape cartridges. Partition the virtual tape library into multiple virtual tape volumes depending on the type of archive tape drive. For example, if you are backing up 400 GB/day and archiving to an IBM LT02 Ultrium tape drive you would configure the virtual tape library with twenty 200GB volumes to match the 200 GB capacity of the LT02. The system will automatically load the number of virtual volumes required to complete the backup and begin to archive the data to the physical IBM LT02 tape drive. Run your backup procedures exactly the way you always have with no change. Your entire backup will be complete on the virtual tape volumes, and the first virtual tape volume will be copied to the physical tape. If more than one physical tape is required, additional tapes can be loaded in the drive or library whenever it is convenient. The physical archive to tape can be completed at any time since no system resources are required. TapeMaster mSeries Specifications Disk capacities available as follows: Tabletop single 500 GB disk Tabletop compact RAID with 1 or 2 TB Rackmount RAID with 2 to 80 TB Built-in IBM 3580 and 3590 tape drive emulations for iSeriesTM versions. Future library emulations will be available through controller firmware updates. Built-in Qualstar TLS-46120 and Sony LIB-81, TSL-A500C, and SDX-500C tape library emulations for UNIX/Linux/Windows versions. Sequential or random library operation. Autoloader operation with or without robotics support. SCSI LVD 160MB/sec or 2Gb FC SFP* input port for computer connection. 1 SCSI LVD 160MB/sec output port for optional external tape drive, tape autoloader or tape library. Warranty- 3 year next day on-site service; 3 year depot service