Bus-Tech Updates Mainframe VTL With MDL-100S

Bus-Tech, Inc. announced enhancements to the Mainframe Data Library (MDL) model 100S.



The MDL-100S is designed to provide mainframe Virtual Tape Library (VTL) functionality to small to medium mainframe environments; it boasts self-contained storage and multiple data protection options which provide a complete and turnkey solution for mainframe tape replacement.
 
"Gartner estimates that there are approximately 10,000 mainframes currently in operation, with nearly half of those being smaller z/OS environments where lower cost, easier to deploy and manage storage solutions should receive marketplace interest," stated Gartner Research Storage Analyst Dave Russell.
 
Storage capacity of the MDL-100S was doubled to 9 TB of usable RAID storage. The updated MDL-100S implements the new features of Virtuent release 7 - z/OS master console support, phone home capabilities, encryption with RSA key management support and more.
 
The MDL-100S is built on the technology of the MDL product family and the Virtuent software engine. Assuming a 3 to 1 compression ratio the MDL-100S presents over 25 TB of storage for tape data. This is the equivalent of over 12,500 fully-utilized 3490E cartridges.
 
"The new release of the MDL-100S builds upon the success of the previous model and introduces new functionality," stated Bus-Tech’s VP of Product Management, Ralph Armstrong. "With the upgrade of the MDL-100S we give small and medium IBM mainframe installations a cost effective alternative to traditional tape infrastructure."
 
For disaster recovery purposes, Virtuent Replicator provides scheduled or mainframe-initiated asynchronous replication to secondary and tertiary sites via Internet Protocol while Virtuent Tape Backup gives users the option to backup the internal disks to IBM LTO-4 tape autoloader. Bus-Tech has partners with IBM’s Business Continuity Recovery Services to support MDL in their recovery sites.
 
The Mainframe Data Library (MDL) is a modular, scalable family of VTL controllers for IBM, IBM compatible and Fujitsu mainframes. An MDL solution provides enterprise data centers with lower tape processing costs, improved end-user service levels and innovative disaster recovery alternatives for the mainframe environment. The MDL uses distributed system disk storage to store and retrieve tape data. The result is a solution that incorporates the advantages of distributed system storage and networking technologies into the mainframe data center.
 
Performance improvements can be realized with the MDL, including accelerated batch processing, data facility hierarchical storage management (DFHSM), backup and restore processes to help meet shrinking data processing windows and growing service level requirements.
 
The MDL-100S is available in either FICON or ESCON configurations and emulates up to 32 tape drives (3480/90 and 3590) on the mainframe. Pricing for the MDL-100S starts at $37,500 and is available immediately.