HP B6960-96035 manual Smart media copying using VLS, What is smart media copying?

Smart media copying using VLS

What is smart media copying?

In smart media copying, the data is first backed up to a virtual tape library (VTL) configured on the Virtual Library System (VLS). Then, a copy of a virtual tape containing a backup is made to the physical library attached to the VLS in a process called automigration. Data Protector initiates the copy process, which is then performed by the VLS. The data is transferred to a physical library in a smart copy operation, which allows Data Protector to distinguish between the source and the target media thus enabling media management. The smart copy media follow the Data Protector format and can thus be inserted in any compatible tape drive and read by Data Protector. The result of smart copying is two identical sets of media, the source medium located on the VLS' virtual tape and the target medium (a smart copy) located on a physical tape library attached to the VLS. Either of these copies can be used for restore, thus increasing the security and availability of the backed up data. You can also keep smart media copies for archiving or vaulting purposes.

Data Protector offers two types of smart media copying: automated smart media copying and interactive smart media copying.

Automated smart media copying

You can create automated smart media copying of the following types:

•Post-backup smart media copying, which takes place after the completion of a backup session and copies the media used in that particular session.

•Scheduled smart media copying, which takes place at a specific time or at regular intervals.

Interactive smart media copying

Interactive smart media copying creates a copy of a medium containing the backed up data and can be started on demand at any point in time.

What happens after the backup?

After the backup data has been moved to a physical tape, it is still available for the Data Protector restore. However, since the destination library is not visible to Data Protector, the restore cannot be performed directly from this library but from any tape drive or library that is controlled by Data Protector.

For more information about VLS smart copies, see the online Help index: "smart media copying" and the VLS documentation.

124 Planning your backup strategy