We’re excited to introduce a new addition to LaserVault ViTL: iSCSI connectivity, expanding the ways IBM i shops can deploy and take advantage of virtual tape using standard Ethernet.
Introduction
For many IBM i shops, virtual tape has become a practical alternative to physical tape for backup and recovery. But how you connect IBM i to a virtual tape library can depend on the infrastructure already in place.
That is where LaserVault ViTL with iSCSI connectivity adds another option.
Virtual Tape Over Standard Ethernet
LaserVault ViTL has traditionally connected to IBM i environments using Fibre Channel or SAS. With the addition of iSCSI connectivity, ViTL can now connect to IBM i using standard Ethernet networking.
The concept is straightforward. IBM i sees ViTL as a tape library, just as it does with other ViTL connectivity options. Backup applications and commands can continue to work with virtual tape in the familiar way, while the underlying connection uses iSCSI over Ethernet.
For organizations that already have a strong Ethernet infrastructure but do not have Fibre Channel or SAS connectivity available, this can make virtual tape much easier to deploy.
And because the iSCSI version uses the same ViTL software and web interface, it is not a completely different approach to managing virtual tape. It is another connectivity option within the LaserVault ViTL platform.
Why Is This Important for IBM i Shops?
One of the biggest advantages of iSCSI is deployment flexibility.
An IBM i shop may not have Fibre Channel infrastructure. It may be running workloads in a virtualized environment. It may be planning a move to the cloud or maintaining a cloud-based Disaster Recovery environment. Or it may simply want to avoid adding specialized Fibre Channel or SAS hardware to a new backup environment.
With iSCSI, ViTL can use the Ethernet infrastructure that is already part of the environment.
This also creates some interesting possibilities for cloud deployments. ViTL can be deployed in a Windows virtual machine without requiring a Fibre Channel or SAS HBA. That can make it easier to build a virtual tape environment alongside IBM i workloads hosted in the cloud.
For existing ViTL customers, iSCSI also provides another way to extend their environment. An iSCSI-connected ViTL instance can work alongside existing Fibre Channel or SAS deployments, providing additional flexibility as infrastructure changes.
A Natural Fit for Cloud and Hybrid Environments
Cloud adoption is another area where iSCSI can be particularly useful.
An IBM i organization may keep its production environment on-premises while maintaining Disaster Recovery resources in the cloud. Or it may eventually move IBM i production workloads to a cloud provider.
In either case, the ability to connect ViTL using iSCSI can simplify the virtual tape architecture. Backup data can continue to be managed as virtual tape while ViTL is deployed in an environment where Ethernet networking is readily available.
For IBM i cloud providers, iSCSI also provides an opportunity to offer virtual tape as part of their hosted IBM i services without requiring Fibre Channel or SAS connectivity for every customer environment.
What About Existing Backup Processes?
Adding iSCSI does not mean having to rethink how IBM i backups are performed.
ViTL continues to work with familiar IBM i backup tools and commands, including BRMS, Robot Save, and GO SAVE. The goal is to provide another way to connect IBM i to virtual tape while preserving the backup and recovery processes customers already understand.
For existing ViTL customers, there is also an important consideration: virtual tapes created through Fibre Channel or SAS-connected ViTL can be restored using an iSCSI-connected ViTL environment.
That gives organizations more flexibility as they change infrastructure over time.
Is iSCSI Right for Your IBM i Environment?
The answer depends on how your IBM i environment is built today and where it is headed.
If you already have Fibre Channel or SAS infrastructure, those connectivity options remain available. But if you’re planning a new virtual tape deployment, moving IBM i to the cloud, building a cloud-based Disaster Recovery environment, or simply looking for a way to use your existing Ethernet infrastructure, iSCSI is worth considering.
The addition of iSCSI gives IBM i shops another way to take advantage of virtual tape without making Fibre Channel or SAS a requirement.
Want to See How It Works?
We’ve put together an overview of LaserVault ViTL with iSCSI connectivity that provides more information on the technology, deployment options, and use cases.
The overview also includes a detailed schematic showing how IBM i, ViTL, iSCSI networking, and backup storage can work together.
Request the ViTL with iSCSI overview to learn more about how this new connectivity option could fit into your IBM i backup and recovery environment.
QUESTIONS? Reach out to ax@laservault.com for additional information on simplifying 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
