Why Virtual Tape? 10 Key Benefits for Your IBM i Backup Strategy (2024)

Traditional physical backup solutions often struggle to keep pace with the scale and agility required by modern enterprises. This is where virtual tape solutions step in as a major advancement for backup and recovery processes. Virtual tape libraries, likeLaserVault ViTL, offer numerous advantages for backup and recovery ofIBM Power Systems, from reducing physical storage requirements to enhancing data retrieval times.

In this blog post, we coverthe top 10 benefitsof integrating a virtual tape solution such asViTL,which is essential for effective data management and disaster recovery.

1. Speed and Efficiency:
   • Virtual tape solutions often provide faster backup and recovery times compared to physical tapes. The digital nature allows for quicker data access and retrieval.
2. Scalability:
   • Virtual tape solutions can easily scale to accommodate growing data volumes, offering flexibility in storage capacity without the physical constraints associated with traditional tapes.
3. Cost-effectiveness:
   • Virtual tape solutions can be more cost-effective overall, as they eliminate the need for physical tape purchases, storage space, and associated maintenance costs.
4. Automation and Management:
   • Virtual tape solutions typically offer advanced automation features for backup and recovery processes. Automated scheduling, monitoring, and management contribute to a more streamlined and hands-free approach.
5. Reliability and Redundancy:
   • Virtual tape solutions often come with built-in redundancy features and data integrity checks, reducing the risk of data loss, and ensuring a higher level of reliability compared to physical tapes.
6. Accessibility and Remote Management:
   • Virtual tape solutions facilitate remote access and management, allowing IT teams to perform backup and recovery tasks from various locations. This is particularly advantageous for businesses with distributed or remote infrastructure.
7. Integration with Modern Technologies:
   • Virtual tape solutions are better aligned with modern IT environments, offering seamless integration with cloud storage, deduplication technologies, and other contemporary backup and recovery tools.
8. Versioning and Snapshot Capabilities:
   • Virtual tape solutions often provide advanced versioning and snapshot features, enabling more granular control over data recovery points and facilitating efficient rollbacks in case of errors or data corruption.
9. Adaptability to Changing Workloads:
   • Virtual tape solutions can adapt to changing workloads more dynamically, adjusting resources as needed. This flexibility is particularly beneficial in environments with fluctuating data processing requirements.
10. Environmental Impact:
    • Virtual tape solutions contribute to a reduced environmental impact compared to physical tapes, as they eliminate the need for manufacturing, transporting, and disposing of physical tape cartridges. This aligns with sustainability goals and reduces the carbon footprint associated with backup and recovery processes.

Conclusion:

Integrating virtual tape is essential for enhancing backup and recovery operations, whether the aim is to speed up backups, simplify management, or minimize the risk of data loss. The integration process can be implemented with minimal disruption to daily operations, making it one of the simplest yet most critical improvements. Virtual tape technology immediately reduces data risks and offers considerable time savings.

TheLaserVault ViTLsolution delivers these benefits specifically for IBM Power System environments. For more detailed information, visit our website atwww.laservault.com. To receive a quote or schedule a complimentary custom demonstration, please contact us via email atinfo@laservault.com.

LaserVault solutions are developed and supported by Electronic Storage Corporation, which has been providing innovative software solutions for IBM Power System environments for over 35 years.