TiBS Tape Library Certifications
Teradactyl and Sony have tested the True incremental Backup System with the PetaSite Robotic Tape Library and both corporations that the two product lines passed interoperability testing. The PetaSite and the True incremental Backup System are currently deployed and supported in production environments. All native capacity figures are provided by Sony and are not confirmed nor guaranteed by Teradactyl.
Teradactyl has performed testing on the T-950 Robotic Tape Library via the Spectra Logic Corporation testing center and certified the T-950 to have passed interoperability testing with the True incremental Backup System. The T-950 and the True incremental Backup System are currently deployed and supported by both companies in production environments. By virtue of a common interface between "T" series libraries, both manufactures agree certification can be extended to the T-50, T-120, and T-Infinity units. Teradactyl has not yet tested or certified the Spectra Logic option for the RXT SabreMedia disk on the T-950. All estimated capacity figures are provided by the Spectra Logic Corporation and are not confirmed nor guaranteed by Teradactyl.
NEW! Teradactyl introduces expanded support for StorageTek Robotic Tape Libraries with the True incremental Backup System. Teradactyl is authorized by Oracle Corporation to develop derivative Client System Components for the StorageTek Auomated Cartridge System. This optional Teradactyl software module is intended solely for interaction with the Oracle product Automated Cartridge System Library Server (ACSLS).
- StorageTek SL48
- StorageTek SL500
- StorageTek SL3000
- StorageTek SL8500
Teradactyl has tested and certified the True incremental Backup System with the StorageTek SL500 Modular Library System. Effective February 2011 Teradactyl has introduced a new Automated Tape Library Interface module for the StorageTek SL8500 Modular Library System and StorageTek SL3000 Modular Library System. StorageTek product lines and the True incremental Backup System are currently deployed and supported by both companies in production environments for the U.S. Department of Energy.
Robotic Tape Libraries for the True incremental Backup System
The True incremental Backup System (TiBS) disk cache is used as a staging area to consolidate backups and expedite transfer to the tape library(s). Data is streamed from the backup cache to tape resulting in faster write times and increased tape compression rates. This approach allows a greater amount of data to be stored on each tape, decreasing tape costs. Server side disk caching allows backups to run in parallel. The disconnected operations between client backups and the subsequent synthetic consolidation and tape writes, permits the backup administrator to run significantly more parallel backup operations than the number of drives in the robotic library. With adequate space in the backup server disk cache or the use of the TiBS Disk Library Interface (DLI), network backups can continue even if there are hardware problems with a tape library or drive.
The type of tape technology is a matter of preference. All tape libraries must be SCSI-2 compliant (Fiber attached also works) and have bar code reading devices. TiBS requires bar code labeled tapes for tape library automation. Performance of a TiBS backup server will vary based on your specific hardware configuration. Teradactyl will be happy to review a specific hardware configuration and make additional recommendations to improve performance. Meeting or exceeding bandwidth requirements of peripheral devices such as tape drives and hard drives is strongly recommended for smooth performance.
The TiBS Automated Tape Library Interface: The latest release of TiBS includes support for automated tape cleaning and tape library management. TiBS detects tape drive cleaning status, automatically loads and unloads tape cleaners, and tracks tape cleaner usage. TiBS can automatically place tapes that are scheduled for offsite into import/export slots and request new blank tapes as needed.
TiBS uses a file checksum analysis to track data as it moves through the backup system to ensure transfers are correct. This process for each file begins with the computation of a checksum for the data as it is backed up from the target system. The backup server uses this checksum to verify correct network data transfer. During any backup, checksum data is stored within the backup volume to verify data on subsequent use. In rare instances, we have used this technique to diagnose and fix subtle network hardware failures where a specific block of data was corrupted during network transfer. Each time the data is read by the backup server, it recalculates and compares the checksum. This includes reuse of data as part of the server's backup consolidation process, restore processing, and optional tape and disk library verification processing. Our checksum analysis detects hardware failures such as corrupted disk cache volumes, bad tapes, and failing tape devices. In many instances, our built in redundancy allows the failed backup volume to be rebuilt from other backup volumes on the server. This ongoing verification ensures that your backup hardware is performing properly and can detect problems in advance of an actual restore request. During a restore, the data is again verified for correct network transfer to the restore client.
TiBS includes this ability and requires bar-coded tapes and barcode readers for all tape libraries attached to TiBS backup servers. Our efficient Scalable File Index stores the location of every file on every tape ever generated by TiBS on the backup server. We currently support billions of files. With TiBS there is no need to read the wrong tapes to find your data.
TiBS also provides efficient mechanisms for the recycling of tapes and barcode information. Many institutions we support began with a desired level backup strategy, new tape library, and small mountain of blank tapes. Over time they have decided to change level backup strategies, experienced hardware and media failures, and sometimes even run out of tapes before the next shipment arrives. These are all serious issues organizations should take into account. Not only do you want the ability to barcode tapes, you also need to have flexibility to change your level backup approach, or to remove tapes from the system due to bad media, damage by failing tape drives, or potentially even a lost cartridge. You may also wish to break mirrors to free tapes to continue backup until the next shipment arrives or to recycle one half of the mirror after a given tape retention period. TiBS provides you with flexibility to manage and not just track your media.
Want a Disk Library? Perhaps you should consider the cost and performance benefits of using both. Learn about our Disk Library Interface. It works alone or with Tape!
Teradactyl will be happy to assist clients and potential clients with information about robotic libraries and our experience at our various client sites. Please remember QUALITY & SERVICE is as important as price when purchasing robotics for backup storage sub-systems. Our service department often gets involved in problem identification and isolation. We can assist in product selection suitable for your environment. Not all manufacturers are the same and we have seen that first hand. Please ask your Teradactyl sales representative for information or simply Contact US.
Legal Notices:
Note: Certain libraries from the above manufacturers have been certified to work with TiBS and one or more of the TiBS Automated Tape Library Interface (ATLI) optional modules manufactured by Teradactyl LLC. Hyperlinks, when available, on these manufacturers will take you to information pages concerning the certification process. The presence of a certification does not constitute an endorsement of that hardware by Teradactyl. Clients should also recognize that the absence of a certification only means that formal certification testing has not occurred. Most libraries from the following manufacturers will be compatible with TiBS. Please Contact Us for more information on specific libraries.
Teradactyl does not sell any hardware including Sony Corporation products or services. The certifications on this page are not an endorsement by Teradactyl of Sony Corporation, its products or services, or any technologies included or packaged with its products or services. Certification does not guarantee the uninterrupted operation of either the library and/or the software nor is this a guarantee that all available features of either the hardware and/or the software will be supported. The trademarks and logos for Sony and the PetaSite are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Sony Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. All PetaSite graphics are the property of Sony Corporation and are used by permission.
Teradactyl does not sell any hardware including Spectra Logic Corporation products or services. The certifications on this page are not an endorsement by Teradactyl of Spectra Logic Corporation, its products or services, or any technologies included or packaged with its products or services. Certification does not guarantee the uninterrupted operation of either the library and/or the software nor is this a guarantee that all available features of either the hardware and/or the software will be supported. The Spectra Logic name and logo are the property of Spectra Logic Corporation and used with permission. All "T" series graphics are the property of Spectra Logic Corporation and are used by permission.
Teradactyl does not sell any hardware including Oracle Corporation products or services. The certifications on this page are not an endorsement by Teradactyl of Oracle Corporation, its products or services, or any technologies included or packaged with its products or services. Certification does not guarantee the uninterrupted operation of either the library and/or the software nor is this a guarantee that all available features of either the hardware and/or the software will be supported. The Oracle name and logo are the property of Oracle Corporation and used with permission.
Disclaimer of Warranty: Use of the listed hardware herein is strictly "as is" and is without warranty or condition of any kind, whether express, statutory, implied, or otherwise, including without limitation any warranty or condition of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, error-free, non-infringement, or any warranty that the list is accurate, complete, or current. Teradactyl shall not be subject to any liability relating to such hardware. No oral or written information or advice given by any Teradactyl employee, representative, or distributor shall create a warranty for such hardware.
Teradactyl, TeraMerge, and the True incremental Backup System are registered trademarks of Teradactyl LLC.