Key configuration of a backup tape library!

To minimizing costly downtime IS managers have recognized the need for using Backup Tape Library as the preferred automation backup technology.
This guarantees zero down time in the even of disk and data failure by making data readily available from refurbished tape media with little or no human intervention.

Broadly speaking Tape Backup Library Automation technology includes several parts:

Autoloader: Enclosed device which has one tape drive along with a magazine of 6 to 10 tapes cartridges.
Autoloaders are best suitable for low administrative backups while they have limited capacity as well as throughput. It delivers an automatic process for tape rotation which is less advanced.

Tape library: This device supports 2 or more tape drives for reading and writing along with a collection of tape cartridges, typically 10 to 100. It is designed for continuous, unattended operation using robotic media picker mechanism for mounting / dismounting the tape cartridge.
Most tape libraries offer more advanced features like access ports for importing and exporting individual tapes under application control. Also Barcode or MIC readers may be included to scan the labels of the cartridges so it can quickly retrieve it from the rack.

Key Benefits of a Tape backup Libraries

• Eliminates human error from the backup process.
• Complete automated data backup, archive and disaster recovery solution for supporting a full security data environment. Restore operations are not confined to last back up version of a file, but users can easily access earlier generations, if necessary.
• Single point accountability through library management console.
• Backup tape libraries allows for scalable capacity through addition of drives and slots to meet demands for more storage.
• Affordable and trouble-free reliable operation which provide you with low cost of ownership.

• Tape Library Scalability- Monolithic library architecture demands purchasing a complete new library to scale the growing backup needs. In contrast libraries based on modular standard provide the “pass through” port allowing tapes to pass from one library to other thereby offering customers to customize the increments for meeting necessary changing storage capacities requirement.
• Software Issues- The tape library backup network software must be able to talk to the tape backup library unit and control its robotics. Few companies charge extra for the hardware drivers to support particular backup software.
• Performance- Consider the time option for doing the backup. This will help you to determine the optimal tape-drive speed.
• Capacity- To arrive at a rough estimate. Consider your current data set size and its likely growth over the next 5 years.
• Availability of connection technology- Some tape libraries come with a fixed configuration usually SCSI or Fiber Channel while others have I/O slots that will let you upgrade easily to different forms of connectivity in the future.
• Appropriate tape technology- Tape drive format vary wildly- 4mm, 8mm, MLR, DLT, LTO, etc. Don’t presume each automation system to be compatible with every tape format.
• Easy Management- Library Management Console must present a single view of virtual all components. This consists of the robotics, the drives and the network connectivity. Flexibility of operation both locally and remotely over the web enable the library to automatically send out alerts to the Management Console, e-mail box or service desk when there is a problem.