IBM TS7700 Overview

High-End Virtual Tape: 

IBM Leaps Ahead with a New 

Grid Architecture 

Summary 

IBM has invented virtual tape again and far for the better.  

Introduction 

©2007 The Tod Point Group 

www.TheTodPointGroup.com  

 Page  1 

IBM invented virtual tape in 1996

beating StorageTek, to the market by 

two years. (Note that Sun acquired 

StorageTek and all subsequent 

references will be to Sun in this 

document).  

IBM and Sun dominate the high-end 

virtual tape market, which has 

previously been mostly a game of 

performance leapfrog. 

However, IBM recently introduced a 

dramatically improved architecture and 

products, while Sun continues to plod along with an old architecture. 

Points to Remember 

•  IBM invented virtual tape. 

•  IBM’s new virtual tape grid architecture lets virtual 

tape data reside anywhere on a virtual tape grid. 

•  New gigabit IP links are easier to use and cost 

less

. 

•  IBM’s new policy management features make it 

easy to meet recovery objectives.

•  IBM’s new hardware outperforms Sun’s in most 

cases. 

•  IBM has fulfilled on its goal to facilitate migration 

from its older architecture products. 

•  Sun has lagged behind IBM in replication and 

FICON support  

•  IBM is much more open than Sun.