Module 5: Manage a VTL

Introduction
In this module you learn about VTL & capacity
planning.

Objectives
Describe a VTL

Describe VTL planning

Perform VTL planning

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Data Domain VTL Overview

backup

retention/
restore

VTL

disaster recovery/
archive/
offsite storage

VTL

application/
media backup
server

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Configuration Terms
Barcode

CAP

Library

Pool

Unique ID assigned to virtual tape when you create it

aka: label, tape label
Cartridge access port (CAP), emulated tape enter/eject point for moving
tape to/from a library
aka: mail slot
Emulates physical tape library with tape drives, changer, CAPs, & slots
(cartridge slots)
aka: autoloader, tape silo, tape mount, tape jukebox, vault
Collection of tapes that map to a directory on a file system, used to
replicate tapes to a destination

Tapes

Vault

Unused tapes stored in vault, tapes are in library/vault

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Represented in a system as files, you can export/import from a vault to

a library, move within a library across drives, slots, & CAPs
aka: cartridge

VTL Planning
256 virtual tape
drives
(DD880 only)

up to 100,000 tape
cartridges in virtual
vault

128 virtual LTO-1,

LTO-2, LTO-3 tape
drives
(all other models)

64 virtual libraries

32,000 slots per library

100 CAPs per library

2000 CAPs per system

800 GiB per tape

robot loads\
changes
tape cartridge
VTL

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Capacity Planning
More planning needed at installation

Expired tapes NOT deleted, space not reclaimed till

tape is overwritten/deleted

Always create more slots that you need

Load tapes when you need them

Stop loading tapes once retention requirements are

met

Turn off multiplexing on backup software

Turn off Oracle multiplexing

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Create Tapes

You can create a

tape from a library
or a pool
A VTL supports up
to 100,000 tapes

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Tape capacity up to 4 TiB

VTL Barcode Definition

Barcodes are 8-character tape identifiers

When you specify a barcode, you specify

1st tape number

Total number of tapes

Tape capacity
example

identifier

tape capacity

ABC100LA
1st tape number is 100 can go up to 999 tapes

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Configure VTL Barcode

Start with 6 alpha-numeric (0-9 or A-Z)

Number to left of L set number for 1st tape &
total number of tapes
1st tape number is 0

tape capacity

AA0000LA
up to 10,000 tapes (0000-9999)

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Configure VTL Barcode (Continued)

End with a 2-character tag that specifies the

tape capacity in gigabytes

50 GB capacity

AA0000LA

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2-Character Tag

Capacity

L1

100 GB

L2

200 GB

L3

400 GB

LA

50 GB

LB

30 GB

LC

10 GB

Configure VTL Barcode (Continued)

If you specify the tape capacity when you

create a tape you override the 2-character tag

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Module Review
A VTL provides interface between backup software so
that it can work with a Data Domain system as if it
were working with a physical tape library

More planning needed at installation

Expired tapes NOT deleted, space not reclaimed till

tape is overwritten/deleted

Always create more slots that you need

Monitor space closely, run cleaning frequently

When creating tapes you must provide a starting

barcode

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