IBM Offers EchoLeaf Archive Technology for SDS

IBM offers EchoLeaf Archive technology for software-defined storage

EchoLeaf Archive software is a single software-defined approach that makes it possible to manage rapid data expansion, easily recover from cyberattacks, and keep data secure but accessible, all with cost-effective, standard-based tape technology.

It provides following benefits:

• Rapid restoration
• Media reliability and online-offline options
• Low cost and sustainable low-energy consumption
• Enhanced data isolation capabilities that support forensic analysis, numerous encryption options, and multiple redundancy modes allowing for on- and off-premises duplicate file copies

Even smaller organizations and workgroups can leverage big system capabilities and benefits at an affordable price.

Organizations of every size are facing the growing challenges of data growth, malware, and ransomware threats. Connected data-management systems expose organizations of all sizes to cyber risks, resulting in unpredictable rising costs. A single software-defined approach makes it possible to manage rapid data expansion, easily recover from cyberattacks, and keep data secure but accessible, all with cost-effective standards-based technology.

EchoLeaf Archiving System is delivered as a server plus tape-library solution, built on top of IBM Spectrum Archive Library Edition (LE) and IBM Linear Tape File System (LTFS) performing as active archive storage. It can be used as primary or tertiary backup storage, as on-premise backup to cloud storage, or a combination of both. It can also be used as a deep archive capable of migrating data to newer and more dense tapes through a simple media upgrade, rather than interrupting storage services or data hierarchies. EchoLeaf will work with both IBM enterprise tapes and LTO media, including LTO-9.

Designed for organizations or workgroups managing hundreds of terabytes and up to several petabytes, EchoLeaf virtualization technology provides a network target for host applications like backup and archive software. It can be used to meet both data recovery and data retention requirements, and can be deployed as a fully managed service that includes maintenance, upgrades, and system monitoring. For added recovery resilience post-breach, it stores information needed for system restoration on its own air-gapped backup tapes, including EchoLeaf software, database indices, the entire file system cache, and all backed-up data and archive files.

EchoLeaf provides advantages of tape:

• Low cost, secure air-gapped cartridges
• Sustainable low-energy consumption
• Media reliability and online-offline options
• Software-enhanced, intuitive SSD-based front end

EchoLeaf acts in harmony with both disk-based or flash on-premises systems and cloud data retention strategies. This low-cost storage tier, air-gapped against ransomware encryption threats, provides much needed resilience to organizations and workgroups of all sizes. It solves multiple problems with one simple solution, providing a seamless user experience, affordability to the client, and better data security, along with the added benefit of environmental sustainability for the growing amount of data every organization is required to gather and preserve. Everyone should have the opportunity to keep everything forever, safely and affordably. EchoLeaf is a data-management software that lets our clients do that.

Key requirements

• x86_64 Server
• 16GB memory server storage commensurate to the amount of data (12TB, 24TB, 36TB)
• FC HBA for attachment to up to 4 tape drives
• KVM switch or standard interface connectivity
• IBM TotalStorage series tape automation and tape drives:
  • TS2900
  • TS4300
  • TS4500 drives (Linear Tape-Open or TS1160)
• HDD or SSD
• Ethernet connectivity

Planned availability date: November 12, 2021
Availability within a country is subject to local legal requirements.