Virtual tape or Device Class File?

[rowl]

I am looking into options for disk to disk backups with no traditional tapes. One of the points that I would like to better understand is how a VTL compares to the TSM File device class. The basic question that is being asked here is "Why would I want a VTL when I can do essentially the same thing out of the box with TSM?"



Thougths?



Thanks,

-Rowl

 

[denisl]

I've debated the pros and cons myself. The only advantage I can see in a VTL is the ability to have many virtual mount points for LAN free backup clients.

A VTL opens LAN free backups to a wider range of clients.

I'm interested in others thoughts on this as well.. Specifically, what are the implications of reclaimation? With sequential disk pools and predefined volumes I would think reclaimation would be pretty effecient, although I cannot say for sure.