Data portability
Once data is stored on a VTL, copying or moving the data from the VTL to other media for long-term archiving or offsite data protection becomes an issue. There are three basic ways to move or replicate data from a VTL:
Migrating data off the VTL to tape is the easiest method, but it can introduce an inconsistency in the backup software catalog if the catalog isn't informed by the VTL that data was migrated to tape and exported. Sometimes the backup software only knows about data backed up to the VTL, not about data the VTL independently migrated to tape without informing the backup software. This produces an unhealthy dependency to recover the VTL and its catalog before any data on tape can be recovered.
This is one of the reasons why it makes sense to use tape library-based architectures. Products such as ADIC's Pathlight VX 450 and VX 650 create real tapes for export, but only under the control and direction of the backup software. In this way, the backup software catalog remains consistent and data transfers between disk and tape occur without introducing SAN traffic or overhead on the backup server to perform the copies from virtual tape to real tape. Vendors of the other VTL architectures generally recommend letting the backup software manage and move the data between disk and tape. However, using this approach creates a performance hit on both the backup server and the SAN, and should be scheduled during periods of low backup activity to minimize impact.
To eliminate additional overhead to the backup software server, EMC introduced a new feature on its Clariion DL700 series that lets users address this specific data management problem. By including an optional storage
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node that contains a version of EMC's NetWorker backup software, the node handles the processing of the movement of virtual tapes to physical tapes while sending updates to NetWorker's master backup software catalog.
Sending updates from the storage node to the master catalog allows the master catalog to maintain its consistency. As the storage node moves data back and forth between virtual and real tape, the node updates the catalog on the master backup server with the location of the tapes. Although currently only available on NetWorker, EMC plans to offer storage nodes that support other backup software products and to extend this feature to its Clariion DL200 line of VTL products. Other VTL hardware appliance vendors like NetApp and Sepaton also intimated that they plan to announce similar functionality in the near future.
The final option for moving and archiving data offsite is to simply install a second VTL and replicate data between the two, taking tape out of the equation altogether. Supported by VTL products from Copan Systems, Dynamic Solutions International, EMC, NetApp and Sun, among others, users can asynchronously copy or move data between VTLs at two sites and nearly eliminate the need for real tape. However, this approach doesn't scale easily and requires significant network bandwidth. You should employ this approach only when limited amounts of data need to be moved or copied.
VTL vendors are implementing a host of features to make their VTLs look and act more like real tape libraries. But only VTLs that deliver the benefits of real tape libraries--infinite capacity and data portability--should be considered enterprise ready. For now, only tape library-based architectures from ADIC, Spectra Logic and EMC's Clariion DL700 line with its storage node option appear to meet those requirements.
