Terry,
I suppose, if I had to choose between a dedicated virtual tape
device and Networker's file device using a SAN. I'd go for the SAN every
time. So easy to add extra storage (maybe to cover you over the Christmas
period?) and the storage isn't locked to one application.
I've only read a little on the upcoming virtual tape machines so I'm
making quite a few assumptions (things like, it has it's own storage not
connected to a SAN - hey, now that would be something... hmmm...) Oh, where
was I? Oh yes, his virtual jukebox, I'm assuming that it is probably
standard rack size, maybe expandable to a limited extent? (i.e. fill the box
with disks and that's your lot, above that add another box - with licensing,
etc.)
I can't shake off the idea of a virtual jukebox connected to a SAN
fabric, not just to backup other storage on the fabric, but to use the SAN
storage as expansion storage, virtually no limit to the expansion.
Other issue is licensing, would you expect to pay for a robotics
license if it's all done by software? Would Legato let anyone get away with
just using file devices and a really large SAN? How many file devices can
you have (32?, 64?, more?) Are they likely to introduce further licensing to
close the apparent loophole?
I've rambled on long enough, I'll close now and let someone else air
their views. I do think we have to start saving to faster media, even if it
just as a staging area (roll on the time we can have several hundred GB of
main memory to use as a buffer... maybe non-volatile memory to send
offsite... nurse, pass me my medication... ... ...
-----Original Message-----
From: lemons_terry AT emc DOT com [mailto:lemons_terry AT emc DOT com]
Sent: 11 November 2002 14:06
To: WoodR AT ChevronTexaco DOT com
Cc: NETWORKER AT LISTMAIL.TEMPLE DOT EDU
Subject: RE: [Networker] virtual tape library / tape emulation products
Hi Bob
Thanks very much for sharing your thoughts! From what I've been told, the
biggest attraction to virtual tape libraries is that, since they look like a
tape drive and all backup software can write to a tape drive, you can get
many of the benefits of writing to disk, without changing your backup
software. Some backup software packages can not write to disk, or their
support for disk is limited to 'testing purposes only'.
So, if you could choose between a virtual tape library or backup-to-disk
(NetWorker's 'file' device), what would choose, and why?
Thanks
tl
-----Original Message-----
From: Wood, R A (Bob) [mailto:WoodR AT ChevronTexaco DOT com]
Sent: Saturday, November 09, 2002 2:29 PM
To: 'Legato NetWorker discussion'; 'lemons_terry AT EMC DOT COM'
Subject: RE: [Networker] virtual tape library / tape emulation products
Terry,
I think it's time is here all right. But, looking a bit further
ahead, why restrict it to tape formats? Why does it have to look like tape
drives or tape libraries at all? The file device does just about all you
would want of a virtual jukebox.
Do you think that a Networker server, connected to a SAN and having
several large LUNs on that SAN each configured as a file device would do the
same thing? Maybe even leveraging the SAN's utilities to copy the data to a
remote SAN for DR purposes?
Don't get me wrong, I think the idea of a virtual tape device is
good but I think that it is a short term goal to virtualise the tape. If you
are going away from tape to disk storage or even solid state storage as the
main backup/recovery media it is an ideal opportunity to 'rethink' the whole
backup scenario.
You've got to keep asking yourself 'Is there a better way?' I think
there is, and I think we're going to see it in the next few years...
Regards
Bob
-----Original Message-----
From: Terry Lemons [mailto:lemons_terry AT EMC DOT COM]
Sent: 08 November 2002 13:45
To: NETWORKER AT LISTMAIL.TEMPLE DOT EDU
Subject: [Networker] virtual tape library / tape emulation products
Hi
A posting to this mailing list about a specific virtual tape library prompts
me to learn more. Please reply if you are using, or considering using a
virtual tape library or tape emulation product. If you are using one, which
one, and how well is it working for you. What do you think of the whole
idea of a virtual tape library - great idea whose time has come, or do you
just not see the need for one?
Thanks for the ensuing discussion!
tl
Terry Lemons
CLARiiON Application Solutions Engineering
EMC²
where information lives
4400 Computer Drive, MS D239
Westboro MA 01580
Phone: 508 898 7312
Email: Lemons_Terry AT emc DOT com
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