Spectra Logic T-Series Spectra T50e User Manual page 120

Chapter 6 — Partition Management
Helping Data Center Efficiency
In some environments, partitioning the library into multiple virtual
libraries is crucial to data center efficiency and growth. For example,
multiple partitions are extremely useful in the following situations:
Mixed Backup Software Packages. If groups within your company use
different backup software packages, each software package requires its
own dedicated library. Instead of maintaining multiple physical libraries—
one per backup package—the data center can use a single Spectra T50e
Library with multiple partitions, in which each partition appears to the
software as a dedicated library.
Multiple Databases. If your company use multiple databases, partitioning
the library preserves the backup processes associated with each type of
database. For example, if each department in the company must keep their
data segregated, partitioning the library supplies this segregation, as well
as the subsequent integrity of the data set. Each partition can only access
the tape drives and cartridge locations assigned to it. Data from other
partitions cannot become intermixed with the data stored on the media in
the partition's inventory.
Multiple Protocols. If your company uses multiple protocols, such as
Fibre Channel and SCSI, then each protocol is assigned to its own partition
within the same physical library.
Understanding the Advantages to Partitioning
Some of the advantages to running the library as a single partition include:
Increased Availability. Increased tape drive availability due to the fact that
all tape drives are available to all backup processes. For example, if a
library has four tape drives and one partition, data can be shared across all
tape drives, speeding data backup. If the same library is split into two
partitions, some tape drives may be left idle in one partition, while the
others are used for a backup process running in another partition.
Cost Savings. No extra costs incurred by software licensing, server
requirements, or cabling complexities.
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User Guide 90970015