StarWind Tape Redirector is a free software solution that allows the backup application in use to transfer data to tapes over LAN or WAN using SCSI over TCP (iSCSI) protocol.
This software solves the situation where the cable length used to connect FC, SAS and SATA interfaces limits the distance between backup software and tape libraries as well as allowing to connect VMs to physical tape infrastructures.
How StarWind Tape Redirector works
In addition to the distance constraint, if the backup solution used to protect the production environment runs in a VM, the communication with tape hardware can't be established because the VM doesn't have a direct access. Changes to the backup infrastructure are then required to perform a correct backup to tape (pictures from StarWind).
Leveraging the StarWind Tape Redirector software installed on a server with the attached tape drive the backup application installed on a remote server can transfer the backup data to tapes over LAN or WAN using the iSCSI protocol.
The software acts as an iSCSI gateway establishing an iSCSI connection between backup server and tape drive transferring backup data over any IP network. Leveraging the iSCSI protocol, VMs can direct access tape libraries simplifying the backup management.
Benefits
StarWind Tape Redirector provides several benefits to the backup infrastructure:
- Distance limitations - the distance between the backup server and tape drive is no longer an issue since data can be transferred over any IP network using the iSCSI protocol.
- Virtual environments - VMs have direct access to the tape library via iSCSI making the tape backup management in virtual environments simpler.
- Backup infrastructure - no need to change the existing backup infrastructure for P2V migration making physical tape backup more virtualization-aware.
- Free of charge - the tool is completely free of charge with no additional licenses required and it is part of StarWind Virtual SAN Free functionality.
Note from StarWind "StarWind has made the Tape Redirector a part of StarWind Virtual SAN functionality. In order to continue successful work with tape backup software and hardware, download the free version of StarWind Virtual SAN ".
Install StarWind Tape Redirector
The software can be downloaded from StarWind website and deployed on OSs Windows Server 2016, 2019, or 2022.
To connect your backup application to the tape drive, you need to install StarWind Tape Redirector on the server with the attached tape drive to create an iSCSI gateway. Then you can launch the iSCSI Software Initiator on the server to connect the tape library to.
A detailed step-by-step procedure to install StarWind Tape Redirector is available on the StarWind website.
Tape drives and Medium Changer devices will appear in the remote server. Install missing drivers for Unknown Medium Changer devices then you are ready to go. The backup application installed on the remote server can now transfer data to the tape library over LAN or WAN using iSCSI protocol.
If the distance between the backup application server and the tape library is a constraint, StarWind Tape Redirector software allows the data transfer between the backup server and tape drive over any IP network using iSCSI. No changes to the backup infrastructure are required and VMs have direct access to the tape library via iSCSI simplifying the backup management for virtualized environments.
Virtual Tape Libray (VTL)
If the use of tape drives is limited due to distance issues in your infrastructure, in alternative to physical tape drives StarWind provides two solutions to eliminate the need for physical tapes improving the backup performance.
StarWind Tape Redirector is available to download as free-software.
