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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →A virtual tape library (VTL) is a disk-backed system that presents virtual tape drives and volumes to a host or backup application. Backup software can use tape-oriented operations, while the data is stored on disk rather than physical tape.
How a virtual tape library works
A VTL emulates the tape devices and library access that a host or backup application expects. IBM explains that a virtual tape drive can appear to the host like a physical tape drive, even though the data resides in a virtual volume on disk cache (IBM: Virtual storage).
This lets an organization retain tape-oriented backup workflows without using physical tape as the VTL’s ordinary storage medium. The backup application interacts with virtual drives and volumes; the VTL stores the data on its backing disk.
How a VTL differs from a physical tape library
A physical tape library stores data on cartridges handled by physical tape drives. A VTL instead emulates tape access while keeping its data on disk. IBM states that a VTL does not use physical tape media for this operation (IBM: Virtual storage).
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- External REV 70 drive with USB 2.0 connection and one disk included
- Reliable disk drive system is based on hard disk technology
- Fast performance is up to 10 times faster than tape
- 3-year limited warranty on drive; 5-year warranty on disk
- Drive measures 4.4 x 1.3 x 6.2 inches; disk measures 3.03 x 0.4 x 2.95 inches (WxHxD)
Physical tape can still be part of an optional broader workflow. For example, some products can export virtual tapes to physical media for offsite protection; that does not make physical tape a requirement of the VTL itself (IBM: FalconStor StorSafe VTL).
Capacity and performance depend on the implementation
Capacity
The practical capacity limit is the available backing disk space. Administrators may be able to change the number and size of virtual volumes, but that flexibility does not create storage beyond the disk capacity assigned to the VTL (IBM: Virtual storage).
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- UPC: 712880187824
- Weight: 2.200 lbs
- 8782-RDX
- Storage Capacity: Drive Dock
- Host Interface: USB 3.0
Performance and configuration
A VTL should not be assumed to make every backup or restore faster. Results depend on the VTL implementation, storage, network or fabric, backup software, and workload. IBM Storage Protect describes mount-handling and scalability benefits under particular configuration conditions, including using one emulated drive and media type or generation and defining paths from participating servers and storage agents to library drives. Those are IBM Storage Protect-specific guidance, not universal requirements for all VTLs (IBM: Using a virtual tape library).
What to evaluate when choosing a VTL
For a deployment decision, compare the specific products and environment on these points:
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- Easy-to-use desktop hard drive—simply plug in the power adapter and USB cable
- Fast file transfers with USB 3.3
- Drag-and-drop file saving right out of the box
- Automatic recognition of Windows and Mac computers for simple setup (Reformatting required for use with Time Machine)
- Enjoy peace of mind with the included limited warranty and Rescue Data Recovery Services
- Compatibility: Confirm that the VTL’s emulated drives and library behavior work with the host and backup software.
- Usable capacity: Check the available backing disk space and how virtual volumes are managed.
- Workload performance: Assess backup and restore behavior using the workloads and configuration you actually run rather than relying on a general speed claim.
- Data protection features: Verify whether the product supports the data-reduction, immutability, encryption, and replication capabilities your design requires.
- Export and archival options: Determine whether the product supports any needed path to physical tape or object storage; these are product-specific features, not inherent properties of every VTL.
Example of a vendor-specific VTL
IBM documents FalconStor StorSafe VTL as a product that emulates a tape library and supports backup and recovery, deduplication, replication, and archival to supported S3 clouds. IBM also describes workflows for exporting virtual tapes to physical tape or stubbing them after export to local object storage. These capabilities describe that product, not every VTL (IBM: FalconStor StorSafe VTL).
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