Bus-Tech Brings Affordable Mainframe VTLs To SMB Market
Bus-Tech, Inc., a leading supplier of data center connectivity products, recently announced the introduction of the Mainframe Data Library (MDL) model 100S. Designed to provide mainframe Virtual Tape Library (VTL) functionality to smaller mainframe shops, the MDL-100S boasts self-contained storage and multiple data protection options which provide a complete and affordable turn-key solution for mainframe tape replacement.
"Gartner estimates that there are approximately 10,000 mainframes currently in operation, with nearly half of those being smaller z/OS environments where lower cost, easier to deploy and manage storage solutions should receive marketplace interest," stated Gartner Research Storage Analyst Dave Russell.
The MDL-100S is offered with 4.5 TB of usable RAID protected disk storage and additional data protection features. Bus-Tech's Virtuent Replicator provides scheduled or mainframe-initiated asynchronous replication to secondary and tertiary sites via Internet Protocol while Virtuent Tape Backup gives users the option to backup the internal disks to IBM LTO-4 tape autoloader.
The MDL-100S is built on the proven technology of the MDL product family and the Virtuent software engine. Assuming a 2.5-to-1 compression ratio the MDL-100S presents over 11 TB of storage for tape data. This is the equivalent of over 5,500 fully-utilized 3490E cartridges.
"The tape processing requirements of smaller mainframe customers have received little attention from leading vendors," stated Bus-Tech President, Al Brandt. "With the introduction of the MDL-100S and the previously announced MDL-100V, Bus-Tech is providing the latest mainframe VTL innovations on a scale and price that is attractive to small mainframe environments. Bus-Tech continues to enable mainframe customers of all sizes to access the benefits of leading edge technology from the distributed systems storage market."
The MDL is a modular, scalable family of VTL controllers for IBM, IBM compatible and Fujitsu mainframes. An MDL solution provides enterprise data centers with lower tape processing costs, improved end-user service levels and innovative disaster recovery alternatives for the mainframe environment. The MDL uses distributed system disk storage to store and retrieve tape data. The result is a solution that incorporates the advantages of distributed system storage and networking technologies into the mainframe data center.
Significant performance improvements can be realized with the MDL, including accelerated batch processing, data facility hierarchical storage management (DFHSM), backup and restore processes to help meet shrinking data processing windows and growing service level requirements.
The MDL-100S is available in either FICON or ESCON configurations and emulates up to 32 tape drives (3480/90 and 3590) on the mainframe. Pricing for the MDL-100S starts at $35,000 and is available immediately.
About Bus-Tech, Inc.
Bus-Tech, Inc. was founded in 1987 as a leading provider of highly available mainframe data center solutions. In 2002, Bus-Tech introduced its Virtual Tape solutions for the mainframe, which have been deployed by over 250 customers in 17 countries around the world. Bus-Tech, Inc. is privately held with headquarters in Burlington, MA. For more information, visit www.bustech.com.
SOURCE: Bus-Tech, Inc.