Rest in peace, physical tape backups. You had a good run. But maybe it’s time to put down the tape cartridges and move on.
For years, physical tape has been a dependable part of IBM i backup strategies. It has served businesses well, provided a way to store backup data offline, and helped protect critical business information.
But let’s be honest. Managing physical tape isn’t always the most enjoyable part of an IT administrator’s day.
There are cartridges to manage, tapes to rotate, backup jobs to monitor, media to store, and the occasional search for that one tape that nobody seems to remember putting away. And when it’s time to restore data, you need to know where the right tape is and hope it’s in good condition.
Sound familiar?
The good news is that replacing physical tape doesn’t have to mean completely changing the way you manage IBM i backups.
Virtual Tape Makes the Transition Easier
Virtual tape provides IBM i with a familiar tape library interface, but instead of writing backup data to physical cartridges, the data is written to disk, network storage, or other supported storage targets.
Your IBM i system continues to see a tape library. Your existing backup applications and familiar commands can continue to do their jobs. What changes is the storage behind the library.
That’s where LaserVault ViTL comes in.
LaserVault ViTL provides a virtual tape library for IBM i, replacing the physical tape infrastructure while maintaining compatibility with familiar IBM i backup and recovery procedures.
And now, with the addition of iSCSI connectivity, getting started with virtual tape is easier than ever.
You May Already Have What You Need
One of the biggest obstacles organizations sometimes associate with virtual tape is the infrastructure. Fibre Channel connections, specialized hardware, and additional networking requirements can make a project seem more complicated than it needs to be.
With LaserVault ViTL’s iSCSI option, that’s no longer necessarily the case.
ViTL can connect to IBM i over standard Ethernet using iSCSI. If your organization already has a suitable Ethernet network in place, you may have much of what you need to get started.
No Fibre Channel infrastructure required.
You can begin using virtual tape with the network resources you already have, while continuing to use your familiar IBM i backup applications, commands, and procedures.
And if your infrastructure requirements change down the road? Fibre Channel remains an available connectivity option with LaserVault ViTL. You can evaluate that transition when the time makes sense for your organization.
The point is that you don’t have to make Fibre Channel a prerequisite for moving away from physical tape.
The point is that you don’t have to make Fibre Channel a prerequisite for moving away from physical tape.
So, Is It Time to Say Goodbye?
Replacing physical tape doesn’t have to be a complicated project or an all-at-once change to your IBM i backup strategy.
With LaserVault ViTL, you can move to virtual tape, reduce the day-to-day work associated with physical media, and direct your backup data to storage resources that fit your organization’s needs.
And with iSCSI connectivity, you have another way to get there using infrastructure you may already have.
Physical tape has had a long and respectable career. Nobody needs to organize a retirement party, although we wouldn’t blame you for skipping the next tape inventory.
Ready to give physical tape a proper retirement?
Learn more about LaserVault ViTL and see how easily virtual tape can fit into your IBM i environment.
Visit laservault.com or learn more about LaserVault ViTL with iSCSI connectivity
QUESTIONS NOW? Reach out to ax@laservault.com about backup and recovery in your IBM Power Systems environment.
About LaserVault
For over 35 years, LaserVault (Electronic Storage Corporation) has been building reliable software solutions for IBM Power Systems. Our team combines deep technical experience with responsive support to help businesses and resellers get exactly what they need—fast.
We also partner with IBM, Cohesity, Rubrik, ExaGrid, Everpure and other technical experts to deliver trusted, modern solutions.
Visit laservault.com or email info@laservault.com to request a quote, schedule a demo, or ask about our reseller program.
Ax Synar, Vice President
LaserVault / Electronic Storage Corporation
ax@laservault.com
918-640-2630
