Tape is the most ancient of storage life forms, yet it, too, is poised to have to learn a new trick: data de-duplication. Very likely, this will be the technology that demarcates a new generation of tape products, as tape vendors incorporate data de-duplication into a new class of tape solutions-- either as part of virtual tape libraries or possibly directly in controllers. Large enterprises will be first to pursue backup/restore strategies based on modern, evolving tape products. However, smaller shops that have been satisfying less-complex backup/restore requirements with older tape technologies should weigh a move to higher-end tape environments carefully against real options to use disk-based backup/restore technologies or 3rd-party backup/restore services. Ultimately, a move to higher-end tape technologies will be juxtaposed against the costs of devoting incremental network bandwidth to backup/restore and establishing "active" offsite storage space (i.e., space in which to run disk, as opposed to simply shelve tape.) In evaluating this option, users should consider carefully the full implications of such a move. There are clear advantages in automation and data recovery for high value data, but equally clear disadvantages in longer RPO's (more data lost in the case of a disaster) and higher costs.
If data duplication standards emerge, it will be good news for either option. Bandwidth requirements will be lower, and tape backups will be quicker and take less time.
Action Item: Tape vendors are likely to introduce a wave of new invention around technologies like data de-duplication in response both to real high-end customer requirements and revenue pressures. These will initially come in the form of integrated disk/tape virtual tape solutions. Rather than investing in a new round of tape technology, smaller IT organizations facing less complex backup/restore requirements should consider the pros and cons of alternative disk-based backup and 3rd-party approaches to handling remote backup/restore.
Footnotes:
Real Time Prediction of When the Top 4 Backup Vendors Incorporate Deduplication
Storagemarkets hosted a prediction market that is used to forecast when the top four backup vendors incorporate deduplication capabilities. Over 500 registered traders at Storage Markets participated.
