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Virtual tape libraries are gaining popularity as a long-term, cost-effective storage solution. They are able to use both private and cloud services, as well as on-premise infrastructure. Learn more about the way VTL works VTL operates before you decide to make use of it to store your data.
For a long time traditional tape storage was the sole choice for businesses looking to store their sensitive data. Since the advent of speedy and inexpensive Virtual Tape Libraries, a lot of entrepreneurs began to move their data to the new system. What is the best choice for you to choose an VTL over your traditional physically tape-based storage? Let’s see.
What is an VTL?
In simple terms the simplest terms, in essence, a VTL is a symbolic analogy to its real-world counterpart. It can be thought of as a virtualization system that covers all the elements of a normal tape device, such as slots, drives as well as data cartridges, and robotic manipulators for tape cartridges. The users operate a virtual tape library in the same way they would operate physical tape libraries. VTLs employ old-fashioned protocols as well as conventional data recovery and backup software developed for physical tape libraries, as well as their more contemporary counterparts..
If you choose to move your data from the tape library or another storage device to a VTL, or use the VTL as an “backup or backup” the process will be swift and effortless.
IMPORTANT:
Typically, modern virtual tape libraries operate using SATA disk arrays and employ the standard x86 architecture. Unlike physical tape machines, they don’t require sophisticated hardware and can be scaled up by adding a few more commodity HDDs, enclosures and cabinets.Cutting-edge versions exist, too..
From a computer perspective From a software perspective, the virtual tape environment is located in the host for the file system. The data is separated into tape drives that are logical within the layer of virtual. The drives are then joined into storage groups or volume pools. Your backup server (or servers) could be transformed into the VTL host. VTL libraries can be system-independent and are compatible with various disk systems as well as protocols for data transfer.
It is possible to make a heterogeneous physical environment however, the users can “see” that VTL as a single space. You can also save multiple backups on one VTL or make use of multiple VTL libraries that store various kinds of data.
VTLs are compatible with all types and types of software for backup. Certain solutions require licences for use, but most popular programs are open-source and free. There are even applications specifically made to be compatible with VTLs specifically. Apart from the usual backup and recovery functions they also include transfer to tape data restoration using pass-through as well as deduplication. The use of these features allows you to narrow the time needed to backup and speed up recovery process.
The history of the Concept
The concept that virtualized disks could be used to mimic tape libraries became fashionable in the late 1990s. IBM was the initial firm to create a commercial-grade virtual tape library back in the year 1997. The library was made available to mainframe computers, but only.
At first, VTLs were only a niche item. However, the advent of low-cost large capacity HDDs brought about the revival of VTL libraries in the middle of 2010. Virtual tape storage gained popularity for IT firms as well as small ones. This buffer was expanded to accelerate the process of archiving as well as disk-only systems that didn’t need to connect to tape storage hardware were created too.
Deduplication has reduced demands on bandwidth, allowing users to use VTLs to connect remote data centers as well as other off-site storages. Cloud storage that is affordable and easy setup process has created a flurry of cloud VTL services.
Virtual tape libraries today can be seamlessly integrated with existing infrastructure private clouds, off-site and on-premise storage. They can be used with modern data transfer protocols such as SCSI, iSCSI, and Fibre Channel as well as older systems such as SPI.
IMPORTANT:
Every major vendor including Amazon offers virtual tape libraries that are bundled with other options for recovering and backup of data. VTLs are typically used as a storage parallel alternative in conjunction with physical tape libraries.
Storing data within a VTL
Why should you choose an online library instead of writing data directly from disk to disk is much quicker? Although this option may seem appealing, particularly when you don’t have huge demands on data, the VTL is the better option over the long term.
- Disk-to disk backups can be difficult, they require manual targeting, or swapping disks. Additionally, you can only use one disk at a given time. With the VTL you can use multiple data streams and not worry about the need to retarget. The system will select the correct logical volume move onto the following.
- If you’ve decided to keep an archive of physical tapes (and there are usually statutes and rules that force you to keep one) the disk-to-disk backup procedure gets even more complex. You’ll still need to utilize an application for backup of tapes to build an additional archive. You will also have no connection between your storage on disk and your tape archive.
- In integrating with your VTL with a tape library, it will not require an additional backup process. It will use the same software, without having to purchase additional licenses, or come up with an “homemade” customized solution.
One of the major selling points of a properly configured VTL is its small backup window. Businesses must ensure that their applications are running 24 hours a day. Backups are made during time when you are not working, but if your have a large amount of data, you’ll be out of time prior to when your employees or clients have to access the program again. Live backups can be costly and could create problems with performance.
Another strong benefit is its capability to choose between cloud and object storage to mimic LTOs to create virtual tapes, while complying with government data storage and archive standards. VTL from the most well-known VTL vendors are extremely cost-effective and, currently are solidly secure solutions for backup-oriented infrastructure.
IMPORTANT:
VTLs offer much faster backup and restore processes which allows your most important databases and applications to remain functional and accessible.
The benefits of using the VTL
- Cost-effective.
- Speed up backup/restore tasks.
- Automate the entire process of backup.
- A large disk-based buffer which improves performance.
- Access to all Virtual tape drive.
- Increased storage capacity.
- It is possible to use older backup software.
- You don’t require an IT team dedicated to installing and run VTLs. VTL.
- Numerous solutions from reliable vendors are available on the market.
Conclusion
Utilizing VTLs is a the ideal way to cut down the amount of time, effort and maintenance costs that are associated with long-term storage. VTLs can be financed by companies of all sizes. The management of a virtual tape library is fairly simple and secure. If you’re looking to improve the backup of your data try the VTL solution.Further more for the logo design checkout the colourist logo
