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StarWind VTL

StarWind VTL

Overview

What is StarWind VTL?

StarWind Virtual Tape Library (VTL) resolves the issue of Enterprise ROBO being stuck with expensive tapes for data backup, while allowing users to stick to regulatory archival requirements. One can’t be sure that data stored on the tapes in archives…

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Learn from top reviewers

StarWind VTL Review

Rating: 10 out of 10
June 16, 2022
Vetted ReviewVerified User
We were looking for physical tape backups to protect against DR situations but were concerned about the fact that it would require the manual intervention of changing the tape...
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Indeep Gill
Consultant - Finance and Accounting
IT Consultant
Prism
StarWind Virtual Tape Library1 year of experience

StarWind works great with Veeam

Rating: 10 out of 10
November 2, 2019
Vetted ReviewVerified User
We are using Starwind's VTL to Backblaze cloud solution which works with Veeam's ability to offload existing backups to a tape library. This allows for easy de-duplication and...
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Verified user
Administrator
StarWind Virtual Tape Library2 years of experience

Sneakernet backups with Pelican cases is terrible! StarWind VTL to Backblaze B2 FTW.

Rating: 10 out of 10
February 18, 2019
Vetted ReviewVerified User
We are using Starwind's VTL to Backblaze B2 software which augments Veeam's ability to offload existing backups to a tape library. This allows for easy de-duplication and comp...
Continue reading
Kevin Sipma
Professional - Information Technology
Chief Technology Officer, Founder | We Help SMB Businesses Leverage Technology & Reduce Risk
Neuron Computer Services, LLC
StarWind Virtual Tape Library1 year of experience
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Product Details

What is StarWind VTL?

StarWind Virtual Tape Library (VTL) resolves the issue of Enterprise ROBO being stuck with expensive tapes for data backup, while allowing users to stick to regulatory archival requirements. One can’t be sure that data stored on the tapes in archives will always be retrievable. StarWind VTL takes advantage of the already existing tape backup infrastructure and virtualizes the data for easy access and storage.

Using on-prem VTLs with cloud and object storage tiering, the solution allows customers to use StarWind VTL to protect their data from ransomware or other threats. Users can also replicate and tier backups in the public cloud and scale with any necessary standard storage arrays. StarWind helps with VTL configuration and integration, and the product is designed to be easily managed.

StarWind VTL:

  • Enables users to use your disk/cloud storage as virtual tapes
  • Integrates into an existing backup and archival processes without disruption
  • Allows customizing data management policies as per necessary regulations
  • Switches users from disk-to-tape to disk-to-disk-to-tape/cloud backup strategies
  • Ensures versatile scalability, maximum performance and secure automated migration

StarWind Virtual Tape Library provides the ability to offload existing data stored on tapes to cloud storage and forget about investing in physical tapes anymore while keeping that data “airlocked” and secure as the respective official regulations call for it.

StarWind VTL Competitors

StarWind VTL Technical Details

Operating SystemsUnspecified
Mobile ApplicationNo
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Comparisons

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Reviews From Top Reviewers

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(1-2 of 2)

Sneakernet backups with Pelican cases is terrible! StarWind VTL to Backblaze B2 FTW.

Rating: 10 out of 10
February 18, 2019
KS
Kevin Sipma
Chief Technology Officer, Founder | We Help SMB Businesses Leverage Technology & Reduce Risk
Neuron Computer Services, LLC (Computer Networking, 11-50 employees)
Vetted Review
Verified User
StarWind Virtual Tape Library
1 year of experience
View profile
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
We are using Starwind's VTL to Backblaze B2 software which augments Veeam's ability to offload existing backups to a tape library. This allows for easy de-duplication and compression of backups to a virtual tape library. Starwind's software basically makes a bridge between Veeam and B2 storage by acting as a VTL middleware. It's very effective. We were able to get rid of costly and headache-inducing sneakernet backups of shipping hard drives on a rotating basis in Pelican cases. We have lost drives and the reliability wasn't very reassuring - especially since shipping drives can result in losses, damages, and all sorts of issues. Something had to change and we are so glad to start using Backblaze B2 for our Veeam offsite/GFS requirements.
Pros
  • Allows you to use Veeam and other software that uses Virtual Tape Libraries while getting rid of actual tape drives and tapes
  • Backblaze B2 implementation is great - keeps storage costs low while automating backups to the cloud storage
  • Low cost and great support by the Starwind technical team
  • Feature-rich and in constant development
Cons
  • Implementation and deployment is highly technical - could be easier & faster
  • Backups Management is somewhat tricky - could be refined further
Likelihood to Recommend
We are only using the Veeam to StarWind VTL for Backblaze B2 functionality but for what it is intended for, it does the job well and we are very pleased with how time and money saving this solution is. Be prepared to spend a good amount of time going over the implementation documentation and reading the manual several times to get it right. We received top-notch support during the implementation and deployment process though, so that made the process a little easier.
StarWind VTL Feature Ratings
Return on Investment
  • ROI was immediate as we got rid of expensive sneakernet backups with hard drives in a Pelican case
  • One-time cost of the product is very cost-effective
  • Support contracts are reasonable and we received excellent support throughout
  • We have much better peace-of-mind with our data being protected better
Other Software Used

StarWind VTL Review

Rating: 10 out of 10
June 16, 2022
IG
Indeep Gill
IT Consultant
Prism (Financial Services, 1-10 employees)
Vetted Review
Verified User
StarWind Virtual Tape Library
1 year of experience
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
We were looking for physical tape backups to protect against DR situations but were concerned about the fact that it would require the manual intervention of changing the tapes and sending them offsite as we could easily forget. Luckily, I came across Starwind VTL, which is the same as having a physical tape library without the hassle of changing tapes. The whole process is automated and we have the option of choosing between multiple cloud storage providers such as Amazon, Wasabi, Azure, etc.
Pros
  • We can leverage our existing Veeam Infrastructure.
  • We can upload to multiple different cloud providers simultaneously.
  • Works the same as physical tapes at as lower cost.
Cons
  • There needs to be an estimated time of completion to determine how long the upload will take.
  • Needs to have an option to backup to the same cloud provider simultaneously.
Likelihood to Recommend
Starwind VTL is a great solution for customers that want the benefits of a physical tape library without the hefty price tag and the manual intervention required when changing tapes as it is automated. In addition, Starwind VTL virtual tapes are "air-gapped" as they are in LTO format.
Most Important Features
  • Replication to the Cloud
  • Secure Air Gap offline storage
StarWind VTL Feature Ratings
Return on Investment
  • We saved a few thousands dollars by not going with physical tape drives.
Alternatives Considered
We've looked at physical tape backups, however, the infrastructure is too costly compared to Starwind VTL and it also requires manual changing of tapes that users will not want to do or forget to do. With VTL, it works exactly like a physical tape library with the same benefits and full automation.
Other Software Used
Veeam Backup & Replication, IDrive
Business Processes Supported
  • Cloud Replication
  • Backup Retention
Likelihood to Renew
9
Their support is great and the interface is not as user friendly
Products Replaced
No
Key Differentiators
  • Price
  • Product Features
  • Product Usability
Support Rating
8
The Technical team was very helpful in answering all of my questions, including how I wanted to setup the tape backup jobs in our existing infrastructure to configure simultaneous uploads to the cloud from two different cloud storage providers.
Premium Support
I purchased premium support and the reason is because the process is somewhat complicated however their support makes it easy.
Bug Resolution
No
Exceptional Examples of StarWind VTL Support
I had noticed that the virtual tapes taking up large amount of storage to a point where I had only a few GB's of storage left. I had called Starwind support and they spent the time with me clearing up space rather than just telling me what to do.
Usability
9
The initial setup took some time, however, with the help of the Starwind technical team, we were able to set it up from start to finish including seamlessly adding it to our existing backup solution. After that, there was no need for any additional setup or troubleshooting.
Easy Tasks
  • Setting up Cloud Replication
Difficult Tasks
  • Can't search by tape barcode
  • there is no visibility for creation/modification of tapes at the moment
Mobile Interface Availability and Impressions
No
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