What Is Virtual Tape Library?

By Author: Jamie Hanson
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Virtual Tape Library is a back up method, which combines tape back up emulation software with the hard disk and improves back up and recovery solution. VTL is quicker, flexible, consistent and cost effective. It has a virtual tape appliance, server, and necessary software, which emulates conventional tape devices. VTL functions with a disk-to-disk back up and commonly known as VTL D2D.

The virtual tape library provides all facilities of conventional tape methodology. It is fast and searching files is almost instant. The use of disk array the data storage capacity increase to one terabyte. Remote stations or work stations which are connected or configured will be able to access the virtual tape library without employing additional workforce. It works as a back up for both hard disk and tape. The cartridges should be removed from the place to a safer place for utmost security. The VTL helps rebuilding the system in case of any mishap.

The recovery time in a physical library is time intense and VTL is much faster. The technology of tape use has become outdated as they have an expiry date for a limited period. Therefore, ...
... many organizations are adopting virtual tape library as their back up system. The only disadvantage of VTL is it occupies substantial disk space. If only the data can be compressed then the cost may reduce to some extent. The compression appliances are also existing today.

In the coming days, Virtual tape library is supposed to adopt a more aggressive compression method. This will permit data compression and side by side keeps track of the blocks it has stored to recognize in future. For SME various companies have developed VTL storage system for disk storage, optical storage, etc. VTL is expanding in this line.

Recently customers have been realizing the value of VTL and have started initiating it. They have concluded that virtualization solves the problem of the management in complex storage network. To be precise virtualization provides a storage system as if it is in a single drive. The same software is used by the host and the virtual system. Multiple systems can work with one physical computer.

Multiple operating system can function if there is high speed processor with ample memory. This is a very productive and cost saving method to adopt.

Expanding company can save cost by adopting iSCSI SAN storage. Conventional storage system has limited capacity and when you think to upgrade all what is required is to install iSAN module to the existing server. It increases storage capacity of the system.

For a perfect back up of data from the hard disk adopt iSCSI virtual tape and to enhance the existing storage, the best available is iscsi storage for further details visit starwindsoftware.com