Using Tape Virtualization to Improve Backup Performance

Overview

Virtual Tape Library (VTL) technology is arguably the easiest way to introduce disk into a tape-based backup infrastructure. A VTL is a set of disks that emulate tape; one sees a disk array, the backup software sees a tape drive or a tape library. The use of tape virtualization will improve backup performance and reliability while allowing one to preserve investment in the existing tape infrastructure. But choosing the right VTL technology depends upon what particular backup issues are most important in one's environment. This paper considers these issues, and then provides a quick review of Sun Microsystems' tape virtualization solutions, identifying how their offerings can best be leveraged to produce an optimized backup infrastructure.