Bus-Tech Mainframe VTL Working With HP XP and EVA

Bus-Tech, Inc., a leading provider of Virtual Tape solutions for mainframe environments recently announced the interoperability of Bus-Tech’s Mainframe Data Library (MDL) with HP StorageWorks XP and Enterprise Virtual Array (EVA) storage products. Interoperability was confirmed based on testing at HP’s laboratory in Roseville, CA.

The Mainframe Data Library (MDL) is a modular, scalable family of Virtual Tape Library controllers for IBM and compatible mainframes. An MDL solution provides enterprise data centers with lower tape processing costs, improved end-user service levels and innovative disaster recovery alternatives for their mainframe environment. The MDL that uses open system disk storage to store and retrieve tape data. The result is a modular, scalable solution that incorporates the advantages of open system storage and networking technologies into the mainframe data center. Significant performance improvements can be realized with the MDL. It accelerates batch, data facility hierarchical storage management (DFHSM), backup, and restore processes to help meet shrinking data processing windows and growing service level requirements.

"Successfully completing interoperability testing between MDL and the XP and EVA products provides customers with assurance of smooth integration," stated Bus-Tech President, Al Brandt. "By partnering with HP, Bus-Tech is once again enabling mainframe customers’ access to the benefits of leading edge technology from the open systems storage market."

As part of the certification process for the XP and EVA, the MDL was tested in a dual node FICON configuration and attached via Fibre Channel to the XP and EVA storage. Bus-Tech’s clustering software, Shared SAN Support, was used to manage file sharing between the two nodes and provide failover if a node failed. The combined solution underwent stress and functionality tests to help ensure users can perform normal tape processing without any changes to their existing applications or JCL. The MDL is available in combination with the XP and EVA to provide a cost effective VTL solution for using disk for mainframe backup and enhanced tape processing.

"Customers continue to look for ways to improve their data center tape-processing efficiencies and lower costs," said Bob Wilson, vice president, Storage Platforms Group, HP. "The interoperability of Bus-Tech’s MDL with HP’s enterprise-class disk arrays allows customers to extend their existing HP storage investments to their mainframe VTL environments while receiving improved data protection and disaster recovery capabilities."