Unylogix's dual channel Mirroring controller supports creating 2 "EXACT" original tape copies simultaneously on two libraries/autoloaders. Productivity is increased for applications that require duplicating original master tapes since 2 tapes are created in parallel at the same time. Note that this is completely transparent from the backup server and the backup software's point of view. Also, this does not require additionnal CPU cycle, and does not affect the backup server in any way - all the processing and work is performed by the intelligent tape array controller which mirrors the data.
Unylogix's Tape Library Mirroring system appears to the host server as a single tape library with one or more tape drives ("Logical Drive Sets"). A "Logical Drive Set" consists of an array of up to 5 tape drives and is seen by the host as a single logical tape device ("Virtual Tape Drive"). The system, which also features Data Striping, supports creating up to 5 "EXACT" original tape copies simultaneously. Productivity is increased tremendously for applications that require duplicating original master tapes.
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| 5 channel, create five copies simultaneously |
How Does Unylogix's Tape Library Mirroring system Work?
Unylogix's Library Tape RAID solutions are designed to be plug and play compatible with all operating systems and hardware platforms. Unylogix's Tape Library Mirroring system adds value to your tape library investment by providing data protection and fault tolerance at a level that no single tape library can provide. A description of how the system transparently applies Tape RAID enhancements to conventional tape libraries is detailed below.
Robotics
The operating mode of the system determines the size of a "Logical Drive Set" (2, 3, 4 or 5 tape drives). This controls how many tape libraries can be attached to the tape mirroring system.
The size of a logical tape volume set is equal to the "Logical Drive Set" size as shown below when using the mirroring option:
| Operating Mode |
Logical Tape Volume Size |
Logical Drive Set Size |
| Mirroring 2 |
2 Tapes |
2 Drives |
| Mirroring 3 |
3 Tapes |
3 Libraries |
| Mirroring 4 |
4 Tapes |
4 Libraries |
| Mirroring 5 |
5 Tapes |
5 Libraries |
As mentionned earlier, our system can also function in Striping mode, to provide additionnal versatility.
The size of a logical tape volume set is equal to the "Logical Drive Set" size as shown below when using the striping option:
| Operating Mode |
Logical Tape Volume Size |
Logical Drive Set Size |
| Striping 2+0 |
2 Tapes |
2 Libraries |
| Striping 2+1 |
3 Tapes |
3 Libraries |
| Striping 4+0 |
4 Tapes |
4 Libraries |
| Striping 4+1 |
5 Tapes |
5 Libraries |
The tape mirroring system presents to the host backup management software the same inventory, number of drives and number of import/export slots as if it was a single tape library.
Inventory
The system presents each logical tape volume set to the host computer as a single media cartridge and transparently loads and unloads a complete physical set of tape media cartridges for each logical mount/dismount request from the backup management software.
Starting with the lowest slot number, a logical tape volume set occupies the same slot number in each library. For example, five independent tape libraries can be attached to the system with a logical drive set size equal to 5. This would mean the system is set to a Mirroring 5 (or a Striping 4+1) operating mode and data is either striped or mirrored across the tape libraries to the appropriate drive set.
Drives
The host software views each logical drive set as a single tape drive via the tape mirroring system. The system's primary controller attach to a robot and the lowest drive element address in each tape library. Additional controllers may be added to operate the next set of available drives (1 per tape library).
Import/Export
The tape mirroring system presents the same number of door slots that exist in a single tape library. When a logical tape volume set is imported/exported, the system's controller moves an entire logical tape set in parallel to the door or from the door as one logical move operation.
Multiple Library Virtualization with Multiple Drive Sets
One interesting option of our mirroring solution is the capability to define multiple drive sets over up to five tape libraries.
This solution will let you write to multiple drive sets (or virtual tape drives) instead of only one drive-set as in the configurations above. This enables you to mirror more than one "virtual tape drive" - for example you can make up to 5 copies of a tape, and repeat this multiple times. See below for examples.
| One additional controller added to operate 2 drive sets, with 2 tape drives per set |
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| Create four copies simultaneously OR create two copies of 2 tapes each. |
| One additional controller added to operate 2 drive sets, with 5 tape drives per set |
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| Create ten copies simultaneously OR
create two copies of 5 tapes each. |
The number of configurations and possibilities are nearly endless. For more details and information, contact our sales department at the telephone number or email at the bottom of the page.
