StarWind VTL seamlessly integrates into existing infrastructure due to the ability to emulate most libraries and drives from leading vendors. A typical system administrator who deals with backup will install, configure and run it in a matter of minutes. StarWind Virtual Tape Library is as easy to manage as “just a bunch of disks” it is. Having gone through countless tests, it is proven to work, is obviously less error-prone and does exactly what it was designed for. All code is in-house developed, using our at least 10-year matured codebase.
Unlike open-source VTL, StarWind offers support with SLAs behind every hardware and software product. Client OS is irrelevant – only iSCSI initiator is required on the client and any incompatibilities are removed with virtualization means. The physical or virtual VTL appliance and actual tape backup application can be located miles away from each other.
Unlike VTL drivers that only work on the same hardware simultaneously with the backup application, StarWind VTL works over iSCSI. StarWind VTL licenses are perpetual and capacity-unlimited. The customer can take the software, commodity server of choice new or repurposed, put as many spindles in as needed, throw in spare Windows Server license or a free Hyper-V Server and have a full-blown VTL appliance. Unlike similar appliances, StarWind VTL offers flexibility, allowing the customer two options to choose from: a full-fledged hardware appliance or a software version, which is essentially part of StarWind Virtual SAN and runs on customer’s existing hardware. In case the goal is just virtualizing tape backup or creating a stretched backup infrastructure, StarWind Tape Redirector will come in handy. StarWind VTL targets those, who need to replace existing tape backup infrastructure or accelerate it if regulatory requirements prohibit replacement. It is also available in a software-only form, as part of StarWind VSAN functionality. Optionally, it creates additional copy of backup data for better safety. It is an appliance that eliminates the need in physical tape and “pretends” to be a supported tape drive or autoloader, keeping all data on inexpensive, fast and high-capacity spinning disks.Įven with explosive data growth, StarWind VTL fits the backup into backup window by accelerating it, so the process does not overlap with production time. For SMB and Enterprises, who either look to get rid of backup tapes completely, or are willing to accelerate backup process and add an extra level of protection, our solution is StarWind Virtual Tape Library (VTL).