Our solutions and services help companies tap into
the power of their tape assets efficiently and effectively
the power of their tape assets efficiently and effectively
Delivering unparalleled tape optimization and performance to TSM environments
Intelligent Tape Has Arrived
Enterprise DistribuTape (EDT) - Tapping into Tape Intelligently
Improving backup and archive performance; Unleashing the value of virtual and physical tape for TSM users
Delivering Tape Optimization for TSM
Enterprise DistribuTape
Enterprise DistribuTape (EDT) allows Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) users to:
- achieve optimal tape resource utilization
- minimize tape asset access times
- create highly resilient tape environments
- eliminate performance bottlenecks
- maximize data throughput
EDT achieves this via its HBA load balancing, data path failover and library virtualization features combined with intimate knowledge of the capabilities of a user’s chosen tape hardware. EDT enables organizations to better control CAPEX and OPEX within their tape environment and take full advantage of tape by making smarter use of tape assets, while reducing their total cost of tape ownership.
What does EDT REALLY do? Why should I care?
Simplifies configurationAllows for easier sharing of drive and scratch volume resources
Secures your TSM environment
Presents multiple tape libraries to TSM as a single tape library
Proactively resolves errors
Knows the layout of the library
Supports multi-path failover
Provides persistent device paths
Centralized DRM management
Tape media housekeeping
Key Features
HBA Load BalancingEDT’s host bus adapter (HBA) load balancing feature allows customers to achieve optimal data throughput by directing TSM to use a data path on an HBA with the least activity at the time of a tape volume mount request. Engineered to be 100% compatible with any tape drive and HBA, EDT’s HBA load balancing functionality eliminates performance bottlenecks, maximizes throughput and makes best use of available tape drive connections.
Data Path Failover
EDT’s data path failover feature protects customers from host bus adapter (HBA), storage area network (SAN) and tape drive port failures creating a highly resilient, highly-available tape environment. EDT’s data path failover functionality can be used in any SAN configuration – from a single zone containing all tape resources to any variation thereof. Automatic configuration and support for an unlimited number of tape drive connections to a single server removes the need for complex SAN zone management and burdensome server administration.
Library Virtualization
EDT abstracts tape library, tape drive and tape media assets from TSM. EDT presents TSM with an infinite amount of storage at all times by giving it access to a user-defined tape container. Limitations associated with physical tape libraries such as maximum slot count are eliminated. User defined policies control all aspects of how tape resources are used.
EDT gives users unparalleled flexibility in the allocation of tape assets through the creation of tape containers. Tape containers are pools of tape resources that include a tape library (or libraries), tape drives and tape media that can change over time – growing or shrinking – in response to customer’s data storage requirements. EDT’s tape containers lower the total costs of ownership (TCO) of tape assets by ensuring tape resources are fully utilized.
EDT’s library consolidation feature allows multiple tape libraries to be presented to TSM as a single tape resource. This greatly reduces the complexity associated with introducing new hardware and the need to make time consuming changes in TSM is eliminated.
EDT’s library partitioning capabilities allow a single tape library to be split into multiple logical libraries. EDT’s approach is far more flexible than hardware based partitioning allowing users to restructure partitions dynamically without reconfiguring the tape library or making time consuming changes in TSM.
EDT allows users to create a single tape media SCRATCH pool. SCRATCH media is allocated to tape containers on demand. EDT’s on demand provisioning of tape media reduces OPEX by simplifying tape media management. Tape media OPEX is further reduced by more effectively aligning tape media purchases with actual tape media usage.
Access Time Minimization
EDT knows where tape drives are located within a tape library and is able to choose tape media and / or tape drives that are in the closest proximity to one another. This minimizes the time it takes to mount tape media and gain access to data thereby significantly increasing operational efficiency.
Tape Volume Management
EDT knows where tape drives are located within a tape library and is able to choose tape media and / or tape drives that are in the closest proximity to one another. This minimizes the time it takes to mount tape media and gain access to data thereby significantly increasing operational efficiency.
EDT’s tape tracking feature provides quick and easy reporting on the location of tape media. EDT records when tape volumes are removed from a tape library and, for tape volumes that are in a tape library, a user can see if the tape volume has been provisioned, to which tape container and its last access date. This information makes auditing the tape library environment simple and gives users certainty around the location and state of their tape media.
EDT’s tape volume management capabilities ensure that the tape library media and TSM tape media catalogs remain consistent. This eliminates the risks associated with catalog mismatches that undermine TSM’s ability to perform successful data recovery operations.
EDT allows users to regularly audit Oracle’s Automated Cartridge System Library Software (ACSLS) to detect conflicts in ownership between ACSLS and TSM. This prevents critical data loss as tapes containing active backup / archive data can be made available for reuse through administrator error. EDT reconciles these errors and resets tape volume ownership appropriately thereby protecting data.
API Driven
EDT can deliver tape connectivity optimization services to any application, although EDT is used predominantly in TSM environments today. EDT is accessible through a very simple API. There are six (6) main functions applications must implement to use EDT:
- INITIALIZE
- MOUNT
- DISMOUNT
- QUERY
- RELEASE
- EJECT
EDT’s lightweight API makes it quick and easy for applications to take advantage of EDT’s tape connectivity optimization capabilities.
EDT Collateral
