Resources
Features
  • No VTL required at the recovery site. VDR backups are created on native media in a non-proprietary format and can be used as the recovery source
     
  • Recover backups at the D/R site directly from native media to other tape media, virtual tape or directly to DASD
     
  • Reduce vaulted media and handling costs by stacking the backups to high density media
     
  • Eliminate physical tape drives used for application back-ups
     
  • A seamless approach to your current tape vaulting process
     
  • Exploit your current virtual tape data solution with application back-ups

Virtual Data Recovery (VDR)

Get the most ROI from your virtual tape investment

Virtual Data Recovery (VDR) is an automated process for creating and recovering cataloged backups of virtual tape backup data targeted for vaulting and storing the backups to any local or remote tape device. VDR will also provide automated data recovery capabilities regardless of where the back-ups are located. VDR works seamlessly with your current vaulting methodology and is easy to implement.
 

Which virtual tape datasets to back up?

VDR can select virtual dataset candidates for backup using a number of criteria including:
  • Vault code/Outcode
  • Dataset name or pattern
  • Creating job name/program
  • Creation date
  • Volser range or pattern

Duplex backup copies

VDR allows you to create one or two backups of the selected original datasets. One copy can be kept in the vault, and the other onsite for faster recovery or use in case of a lost original tape. Or both backups can be sent to separate vaults for safe-keeping.

Continuous auditing

VDR establishes a relationship between the original dataset and any backup copies created by VDR for that dataset. VDR monitors this relationship to ensure that all targeted datasets have a matching backup, and recognizes when an original dataset has expired so that the matching backup dataset can be expired as well.

Reduce backup window

Creating backups into your virtual tape library reduces the overall backup window. Multiple VDR backup jobs can be run simultaneously to ensure that your virtual tape data is backed up within the available window. VDR backup jobs are only limited by the number of output devices available. Because the VDR jobs can be managed by your job scheduling software, the entire backup process is automated and fast.

Stacked data co-location

VDR allows users to control which datasets are stacked together on the VDR backup tapes. This can allow users to stack datasets that will expire around the same time together so that the media is returned from the vault, or stack datasets together that are created by the same application to meet recovery priorities.

Vaulted Media Recycling

VDR provides the ability to “recycle” under utilized tape media without the risk of first returning the backup media to the data center. VDR can find the remaining, unexpired datasets on a backup tape and reselect the original dataset for backup. A new, better utilized backup tape is created and sent to the vault. The less-utilized tape is then expired and returned from the vault.

Robust recovery options

VDR allows you to recover automatically and quickly by restoring from the existing backup media (which requires no data movement), or copying the backup datasets to another virtual tape library or other tape media. If duplex VDR backups have been created, VDR can recover from either backup.

With VDR, users can also recover their backups directly to DASD from the VDR backup tape – saving a substantial amount of recovery time.