ViTAL® 2.0 is a state-of-the-art backup storage virtualization solution architected and designed to satisfy the most demanding operational tape requirements for lights-out and multi-platform enterprise computing environments.

Virtual Integrated Tape and Library (ViTAL) is now in its second generation. It offers a state-of-the-art backup storage consolidation platform which can handle requirements from even the most complex environments. ViTAL implements a wide variety of data protection schemes and tape library consolidation, thus eliminating the need to dedicate devices for specific backup purposes.

Fully Automated Backup and Restore Operations

The technology within ViTAL brings a scalable, flexible, and high-throughput solution to backup and restore operations. No longer do operations staff need to monitor data movement. ViTAL provides dynamic drive sharing, customer defined virtual tape policies, backup to local and remote sites, and a performance improvement over current backup methods.

Multi-Platform Heterogeneous Environments

ViTAL emulates several standard front-end interfaces in which existing backup servers and applications can connect and control. Because ViTAL adheres to using standard interfaces, backup servers can reside on nearly any platform and operating system in the market today. This includes IBM® iSeries (AS400), IBM Power Systems, HP NonStop™, Sun® SPARC, blade systems, and of course, x86 Intel® or AMD based systems all running backup applications on Microsoft® Windows®, Linux, Unix and more.

Remote Site Backup and Disaster Recovery

Offsite data storage is often a prerequisite in satisfying complete data backup and security. This can be accomplished by writing data to physical tape and then storing the tapes in an offsite vault. A better and more cost effective approach is to configure ViTAL to electronically transfer encrypted data to and from a remote site. Since the data is readily available at the remote site, restoring using ViTAL at the remote site is an integral part in any disaster recovery plan.

Tape Library Distribution and Consolidation

Existing backup servers can utilize the multiple front-end virtual libraries presented by ViTAL. These backup servers view each connected front-end virtual library as dedicated to its’ needs. ViTAL, in turn, can consolidate these virtual libraries into one or more physical back end devices – typically a tape library with drives. The result is a reduction in the number of tape libraries and drives needed as well as reduced maintenance costs.

 
Customized Configurations

ViTAL will meet the needs of large data center customers as well as small entry level customers. It is available in three models: Enterprise, Mid-Range, and Entry Level. ViTAL Enterprise offers a multi-node, large disk cache, and highly available solution for the most demanding enterprise computing environments. Designed for smaller storage environments and at a lower cost, ViTAL Entry Level is based on the same robust core and can migrate to larger configurations while preserving your existing infrastructure. Backup sizes, throughput requirements, tape retention policies, availability requirements, as well as future growth rates will determine which model best fits a customer’s needs.

Scalable and Expandable

As backup requirements change, so too can ViTAL. Additional virtual libraries, drives, and tapes are easily added through a client GUI. Additional disk cache enclosures can be introduced into the system and throughput performance and higher availability can be achieved through the multi-node architecture.