Sepaton has upgraded its virtual tape library (VTL), adding performance and
features to keep up with its competitors.
The startup’s S2100-ES2 is an appliance that has a VTL as its primary
application. VTL lets disks emulate tape by creating separate libraries for
each host while sharing the same physical tape library. This allows users to
share a tape library among incompatible backup applications.
The systems are becoming popular among customers who want reliable data
backup without the hassle of unreliable tape systems. VTLs are basically
disk-based systems that function the way tape systems do, but they back up
data faster without the regular breakdowns.
S2100-ES2 differs from rival products, such as FalconStor or
Alacritus, which was recently targeted for acquisition by Network Appliance
, said Paul Feresten, Sepaton vice president.
Feresten said Sepaton builds a complete system with hardware and software,
whereas these competitors are software only. With software-only systems, end users or systems integrators are responsible for building the system.
“We find the best way to go to market is with something that is
self-contained and helps the company get up and running more quickly,” Feresten said.
To wit, the S2100-ES2 picks up where the San Francisco startup’s first
system left off, emulating 64 tape libraries from vendors, including IBM,
StorageTek, Quantum, ADIC, while shortening backup window times.
The new system can now scale from 3 terabytes (TB)
petabyte (PB)
The original ES only scaled to 200 TB. Feresten said the company’s capacity
increase is reflective of the growing glut of data in enterprises.
The new system also offers a way for administrators to ferry data from one
VTL to another without letting the data be overwritten. Data may then be
automatically compressed according to custom backup policies.
The gadget features a new browser-based graphical user interface
device management detail-for-detail with the familiar tape library.
Sepaton will support the S2100-ES2 with its ReadyRestore data protection
applications, providing synthetic and remote site backup, content
compression and other perks to obviate forklift upgrades.
The S2100-ES2 is for sale now, starting at fewer than $60,000 for a
configured appliance.
