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Hybrid Cloud Backup for IBM i/AIX/Linux Systems

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Hybrid Cloud Backup for IBM i / AIX / Linux Systems

Protect IBM i, AIX, and Linux Systems On-Premises, then Replicate to PowerVS for Archive and DR

StorSafe VTL offers a hybrid cloud solution where customers leverage the cloud for long-term archival or disaster recovery with a secondary backup to IBM Power Systems Virtual Server (PowerVS).

For over 20 years, FalconStor has provided a virtual tape library (VTL) disk-based solution to IBM customers that reduces storage costs and now greatly simplifies migration to PowerVS. For Hybrid Cloud Backup, StorSafe VTL for On-Prem runs on-premises at each customer site to protect IBM i, AIX, and/or Linux workloads. A twin instance of StorSafe VTL can then run in IBM PowerVS. Continuous replication between StorSafe VTL instances ensures that data is safely protected offsite for archive or disaster recovery purposes.

KEY BENEFITS

Backup IBM i/AIX/Linux workloads on-premises at up to 40TB/hour to Cloud Object Storage, VTL, physical tape

  • Compatible with all leading backup software
  • Up to 95% deduplication of backups reduces the back end storage required over time

Easily scale by adding compute and storage as needs grow

  • Start at a Terabyte and scale to Petabytes
  • Share across multiple environments
  • Scale from just a single VM to several servers

Custom fit to meet IT requirements, with ability to use preferred hardware

  • Hardware choice so customers and MSPs can use their preferred brands
  • Offsite protection built-in to transmit a copy of each backup offsite

Disaster recovery and long-term retention for compliance requirements

  • Replicate backup data to a twin StorSafe VTL in PowerVS
  • Create offsite storage solution without the hassle of moving physical tapes and storing and managing them

Hybrid Cloud Backup
Below is an overview of the process for backup of workloads residing on-premises.

In this use case the IBM Power Systems at the customer sites directs its backups to a StorSafe VTL that also resides at the customer site. Because StorSafe VTL is software, it can be run on the appropriate number of compute servers, and it can be given the appropriate amount of block or object storage. The backup data is deduplicated by StorSafe VTL at the customer site and a copy is transmitted to PowerVS for secure offsite protection. StorSafe VTL is 100% compatible with enterprise backup and restore software from leading vendors including BRMS, Veeam, NetBackup, Commvault, Spectrum Protect, Arcserve, and more.

Is FalconStor software proven to work with IBM i, AIX, Linux, and Windows systems?

Yes. FalconStor StorSafe VTL has proven itself as the certified solution for IBM i systems that send their backup data to PowerVS, making it the perfect solution for today’s hybrid cloud environments. Because it emulates an industry standard VTL, StorSafe is 100% compatible with the backup software and operations that are in place today and works with multiple operating systems beyond IBM i, AIX, and Linux.
 
When it comes to IBM i systems, the administrator may be using the Save 21 command, BRMS, or other native IBM i backup tools. In the case of Linux systems or Windows systems, industry standard backup software from leaders such as Veeam, NetBackup, Commvault, Arcserve, Tivoli and other popular backup and restore software packages can be used.

StorSafe also works directly with Oracle RMAN, SAP HANA, and other native applications which can use NFS or CIFS on AIX, Power Linux and IBM i.

How does StorSafe help to protect hybrid cloud environments?

While on-premises data can be protected and backed up to the cloud, cloud data should be protected as well. Support for hybrid cloud environments includes the ability to protect on-premises and cloud data. As a certified solution by IBM, many installations have their IBM i data protected leveraging StorSafe VTL to protect data on PowerVS. In addition, PowerVS data is protected by leveraging StorSafe VTL to provide disaster recovery and protection of data on PowerVS.

Are there Managed Service Providers that can help me?

Yes. FalconStor or has been working with leading IBM i Managed Service Providers worldwide to protect mission critical IBM Power servers that reside within the MSP datacenter, the IBM cloud, or on-premises at customer sites.

How does StorSafe deduplication technology reduce storage costs by up to 95%?

When the backups are received by the StorSafe VTL it uses FalconStor’s patented deduplication technology to discover any redundant information which can be eliminated to reduce the size of the backups. Typically, every Friday the backup administrator does a full backup of the mission-critical application servers. Because the backup data received over time is highly redundant, StorSafe can deliver up to 95% deduplication rates.

What is the best way to manage instances of StorSafe across sites and clouds?

StorSight delivers management simplicity to StorSafe. Management of all the instances of StorSafe that are being run is easily achieved.

StorSight provides a central console across all copies of StorSafe and StorGuard that are running across sites and clouds.

StorSight provides real-time visibility into status health and the integrity of backup operations. StorSight provides smarter rules, analytics, reports, and forecasts.

Secure multi-tenancy ensures the highest level of security and Role-Based Administration allows teams to work together without everyone having full administrative power.

Each company or department that is using the StorSafe VTL can be charged for what they use, making StorSight and StorSafe perfect for MSPs wishing to offer migration services for IBM i systems to the MSP or IBM cloud.

What are all 5 use cases for FalconStor software and IBM i/AIX/Linux systems?

There are four other use cases for StorSafe VTL, besides for hybrid cloud:

  1. On-Premises Backup Optimization
    Enhance existing backup and recovery for IBM i/AIX/Linux or any other platform
  2. Migrate From On-premises to PowerVS
    Migrate workloads and legacy tapes to IBM PowerVS
  3. PowerVS-Resident Backup
    Back up IBM i, AIX, and Linux workloads in PowerVS via StorSafe VTL for PowerVS
  4. PowerVS Disaster Recovery
    Replicate workloads in PowerVS to another cloud location for recovery in the event of disaster
The figure above shows the entire FalconStor solution for IBM customers, from protecting data on-premises, migrating workloads to PowerVS, and then protecting them while resident on PowerVS. A single solution supporting on-prem to cloud greatly simplifies IT environments while increasing business continuity.
 

StorSafe VTL for Power and PowerVS are available from the IBM Cloud Catalog.

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StorSafe VTL migrates and protects Power Systems on-premises and PowerVS-Resident IBM i/AIX systems running mission-critical applications by providing a backup to disk target that looks like a standard tape library. StorSafe VTL has been the go-to virtual tape library for IBM i/AIX environments and has proven itself worldwide for over 20 years!

StorSafe VTL powers DSI appliances – so you may already be using it.

Contact us and we will have a representative explain the details of our solutions.