Virtual Tape Libraries Without Complexity

As IT data centers begin to embrace disk as a viable medium in secondary storage, virtual tape libraries (VTLs) fill an important niche between primary storage and archival storage on tape.

Disk in the form of VTLs—that is, disk presented as tape—can be added without requiring huge changes to existing backup strategies. This compares favorably to adding disk into an existing environment, because adding disk without the VTL interface requires complex and unavoidable changes to existing strategies.

This simplicity, coupled with the affordability of SATA disk for short-term storage, has turned VTL into a viable storage option. First generation VTLs are gradually moving into data centers.

First generation technology typically has drawbacks—a useful new technology, or a new variation on an existing technology, is almost certain to have problems. By virtue of being new, a product offers options to users that weren't there before. It takes time to integrate new technology, and with field-use, technological and usability issues become evident. The technology can then be refined, taking it to the next level.

First generation VTLs do have problems, primarily complexity of setup. Secondarily, and perhaps directly related to complexity, VTLs often have problems with the real-world performance versus theoretical gains.

Spectra Logic's RXT Sabre addresses all the first generation VTL drawbacks and consequently goes a step further, adding features that expand beyond first generation VTL (disk-as-tape) products.