VTL Software for Windows by Cristalink

Based in Auckland, New Zealand, Cristalink Limited, in application and device driver development for Microsoft Windows, announced the availability of Firestreamer 4.0.

Completely redesigned, the new version of the software provides support for up to 8 virtual tape libraries with up to 255 tape drives and 60,000 storage slots per library. Firestreamer seamlessly integrates with the existing tape-based backup software and enables it to access a wide range of non-tape storage media, making possible long-term and off-site retention of data without the need for tape drives.

Supported storage media include files on any accessible storage devices, external hard disk drives, NAS, SAN, RDX removable disks, Blu-ray, Iomega REV, HD DVD, DVD, and more. Firestreamer operates on Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2003, 2008 and 2008 R2, and is compatible with Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager 2007 and 2010.

Firestreamer’s ability to emulate hundreds of tape drives and thousands of tapes can help customers avoid or minimize investments in expensive hardware, optimize utilization of their existing data storage systems, and reduce operational costs.

"We are delighted to offer the low-cost virtualization solution that can easily scale from a small business to a large enterprise," said Nikolai Repine, director of Cristalink Limited. "Firestreamer’s ability to emulate hundreds of tape drives and thousands of tapes can help customers avoid or minimize investments in expensive hardware, optimize utilization of their existing data storage systems, and reduce operational costs."

"Customers face a diversity of compliance and audit requirements, and central to these requirements is protecting data residing in email, databases and collaboration tools," said JD Marymee, director of strategic alliances, Management and Services Division, Microsoft Corporation. "System Center Data Protection Manager and Firestreamer work together to broaden customers’ choices of backup media, while also simplifying the process of backup and recovery."

Firestreamer is licensed on a per-installation basis and can be ordered securely online. A fully functional version of the software is available for download for a free 30-day trial.