EMC announces new EMC Disk Library for Mainframe

The latest version of EMC DLm systems provide IBM zSeries mainframe environments with a high-performance disk-based tape replacement solution.

The EMC DLm provides a fully integrated, tapeless alternative to mainframe tape and tape-based VTLs. This enables customers to process and retrieve information at disk speed and scale their tape infrastructure as workloads increase without the need for additional subsystems, tape libraries, or specialized network adapters.

The new EMC DLm systems leverage new virtual tape engines and EMC Celerra unified storage systems. Customers can now receive support of up to six virtual tape engines with the ability to scale up to 1.2 PB (petabytes) of usable capacity (approximately 3 PB of tape information) in only 13 cabinets - twice the usable capacity of previous systems. In addition, the new system offers double throughput up to 1.2 GB per second.

New software in the DLm further simplifies management, strengthens online customer support capabilities, delivers unique internal log management and expands reporting for improved recoverability:


• Enhanced Administrator Support with EMC Customer Service - With EMC Secure Remote Services (ESRS), EMC Customer Service can directly connect to customer's DLm systems through a secure IP connection for the highest levels of support. In addition, ConnectEMC enables customers to send email alerts to their tape administrator for failures and the sending of log files, alerts and activities directly to the EMC support center for faster problem resolution.

• Unique Internal Log Management for Efficient Disaster Recovery Procedures - The latest version of DLm software tracks the status of every tape volume in the system and makes that information available within each system. These logs can be replicated to off-site DLm systems, enabling customers to know which tape volumes are usable for their disaster recovery procedures. This feature is unique to the industry, providing a key competitive advantage over other mainframe virtual tape libraries.

• Expanded Reporting and Additional Security - New detailed reporting capabilities include system throughput rates and the highlighting the slowest tape mounts. In addition, customers now receive authenticated administrator log-ins for added security.

Walid Yehia, Pre-Sales Manager - Middle East, North West Africa and Turkey region, EMC, said:

"Mainframe environments are some of the most demanding in all of IT and for years EMC has been a trusted partner to customers with some of the largest mainframe environments in the world. When it comes to protection, EMC has led the mainframe backup and recovery market since we introduced the industry's first 'tapeless' virtual tape library for IBM zSeries mainframes in 2008. Mainframe customers consistently push the envelope and we continue to innovate by helping them scale out their tape environments while providing greater management, speed and recovery of their systems."