Virtual Tape Libraries (not virtual tape image catalogs)

Time for the annual budget wish list. Boss is again asking about Virtual
Tape Libraries. Last time he was floored by the quote and tabled it. I
told him I know of a few shops locally that are using it and I didn't
think they were real spendthrifts. And my boss is not an uber tightwad.
So I was wondering what we did wrong to get such a stunning.

First of all, we want something that is BRMS compatible
We do not want something that uses it's own save and restore commands and
software.
We're thinking of one unit in one office where there's our main production
servers. This location only gets a save done once a quarter. In between
is done through Mimix or Domino clustering to our backup location.
The other unit would be in our backup location.
Then perhaps the cloud as an Iron Mountain replacement. (IDK if the
savings from Iron Mountain have ever been factored in.)
Some replication between units would be nice also. If we have to do a DR
restore of production, and it's VTL was gone also, I would be concerned
about the download speed of a whole system restore from the cloud. If we
could generate a tape and run it over that might be better. I may be off
base in my thinking.

What say ye?

I think I had one VTL guy emailing me so much I think I've sent his stuff
to my junk folder. I'll keep an eye on that.


Rob Berendt