Dell DR4300 DR Series System Administrator Guide - Page 141

Configuring and Using VTL, Understanding VTL, Terminology, Supported Virtual Tape Library Access

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12 Configuring and Using VTL This topic introduces Virtual Tape Libraries (VTLs) and related concepts and tasks. Refer to the subsequent topics and procedures in this section for more information. Understanding VTL A Virtual Tape Library (VTL) is an emulation of a physical tape library on a disk-based deduplication and compression system such as the DR Series system. The tape library is exposed to a Data Management Application (DMA) as if it is a physical library with tape drives and cartridges, which the application uses for backup. Because a VTL completely emulates a standard library, the introduction of virtual tape is seamless and transparent to existing tape backup/ recovery applications. The management of the library, including the drives and tapes, is done by the DMA using SCSI commands. For details on the applications supported, see the Dell DR Series System Interoperability Guide. Terminology This topic introduces and briefly defines some basic VTL terminology used throughout the DR Series system documentation. Term Description Library A library is an emulation of a physical tape library and shares the same characteristics such as media changer, tape drives, and slots (cartridge slots). Tape Drive A Tape drive is a logical unit which is part of the emulated library. The media or cartridge is loaded in the Tape drives to be accessed by the Data Management application. Tapes/Media/Cartridges Tapes are represented as files and are units within the VTL where data is actually written. Tapes are loaded into a Tape Drive before being accessed. Slots Tapes are parked in Slots before they are retrieved by the data management application for access. Supported Virtual Tape Library Access Protocols The DR Series system supports the following virtual tape library (VTL) tape access protocols. • Network Data Management Protocol (NDMP) • Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) 141

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12
Configuring and Using VTL
This topic introduces Virtual Tape Libraries (VTLs) and related concepts and tasks. Refer to the subsequent topics and
procedures in this section for more information.
Understanding VTL
A Virtual Tape Library (VTL) is an emulation of a physical tape library on a disk-based deduplication and compression
system such as the DR Series system. The tape library is exposed to a Data Management Application (DMA) as if it is a
physical library with tape drives and cartridges, which the application uses for backup. Because a VTL completely
emulates a standard library, the introduction of virtual tape is seamless and transparent to existing tape backup/
recovery applications. The management of the library, including the drives and tapes, is done by the DMA using SCSI
commands. For details on the applications supported, see the
Dell DR Series System Interoperability Guide
.
Terminology
This topic introduces and briefly defines some basic VTL terminology used throughout the DR Series system
documentation.
Term
Description
Library
A library is an emulation of a physical tape library and shares the same
characteristics such as media changer, tape drives, and slots (cartridge
slots).
Tape Drive
A Tape drive is a logical unit which is part of the emulated library. The
media or cartridge is loaded in the Tape drives to be accessed by the
Data Management application.
Tapes/Media/Cartridges
Tapes are represented as files and are units within the VTL where data
is actually written. Tapes are loaded into a Tape Drive before being
accessed.
Slots
Tapes are parked in Slots before they are retrieved by the data
management application for access.
Supported Virtual Tape Library Access Protocols
The DR Series system supports the following virtual tape library (VTL) tape access protocols.
•
Network Data Management Protocol (NDMP)
•
Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI)
141