Installation Virtual Tape Library

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This article describes how to install and configure a Virtual Tape Library. A Virtual Tape Library offers different advantages compared to a usual Tape Library, for example the possibility to outsource the Tape backups to the cloud or a higher writing and reading performance due to emulated tapes.

This article shows the installation and configuration of a VTL based on QUADStor as well as StarWind.

Prerequisites:

QUADStor:

  • VM with installed Debian 12.X, it is recommended to not operate any further services on this VM and only use it as VTL
  • VM with at least 8GB RAM (16GB when a lot of traffic is planned, 64GB if Dedup should be used)
  • VM with at least 4 cores
  • also possible as hardware-system alternatively
  • valid subscription, QUADStor revises their license model currently

StarWind:

  • VM with installed Windows or Linux
  • at least 4 vCPU with 1.7GHz (VM), at least 8 vCPU with 1,7GHz (VM + ZFS), at least 1 CPU with 1.7GHz (Bare-Metal)
  • at least 8GB RAM; at least 16GB RAM for ZFS
  • separate data carrier or partition for VTL; capacity depending on usage
  • also available as a hardware system alternatively

VTL with QUADStor

Installation QUADStor VTL

First, some packages need to be reinstalled, which will be required for the operation of QUADStor VTL:

apt update

apt install uuid-runtime build-essential sg3-utils apache2 gzip xz-utils postgresql libpq-dev psmisc linux-headers-`uname -r`

a2enmod cgi

After this, the webserver must be started:

systemctl restart apache2


In addition, the installation package for QUADStor will be uploaded on the server. Go to the official QUADStor website and search the suitable version depending on OS and version.

In this example, the package for Debian 12.X is used and the selected package can now be uploaded to the VM and installed with wget:

wget https://www.quadstor.com/vtldownloads/quadstor-vtl-ext-3.0.79.21-debian12-x86_64.deb
apt install ./quadstor-vtl-ext-3.0.79.21-debian12-x86_64.deb

Perform the following command to activate the service:

systemctl enable --now quadstorvtl.service

Finally, the service can be checked if it is active and functional. If that is the case, the VM must be restarted:

root@np-vtl-01:~# systemctl status quadstorvtl.service
● quadstorvtl.service - QUADStor Virtual Tape Library
     Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/quadstorvtl.service; enabled; preset: enabled)
     Active: active (running) since Wed 2024-08-21 08:43:28 CEST; 34min ago
      Tasks: 1724
     Memory: 241.4M
        CPU: 4.031s
     CGroup: /system.slice/quadstorvtl.service
             ├─637 /quadstorvtl/sbin/coredev
             ├─660 /quadstorvtl/sbin/ietd
             └─663 /quadstorvtl/sbin/vtmdaemon

Aug 21 08:43:28 np-vtl-01 vtmdaemon[663]: tl_server_load_conf:3933 ioctl qload
Aug 21 08:43:28 np-vtl-01 vtmdaemon[663]: tl_server_load_conf:3939 restart export jobs
Aug 21 08:43:28 np-vtl-01 vtmdaemon[663]: tl_server_load_conf:3942 reply to client
Aug 21 08:43:28 np-vtl-01 vtmdaemon[663]: tl_server_restart_export_jobs:6641 start
Aug 21 08:43:28 np-vtl-01 vtmdaemon[663]: tl_server_load_conf:3944 end
Aug 21 08:43:28 np-vtl-01 vtmdaemon[663]: tl_server_restart_export_jobs:6704 end
Aug 21 08:43:28 np-vtl-01 systemd[1]: Started quadstorvtl.service - QUADStor Virtual Tape Library.

root@np-vtl-01:~# reboot

Now, you can connect to the websurface of QUADStor with the IP of your VM http://your.server.ip/

Configuration QUADStor VTL

Hint: You can also use Import-Files from QUADStor for the definition of the Changer and Drives. This can be found here:Definition Files

  • Here, you can see the webinterface from QUADStor. To start the configuration, click on [Physical Storage].
    Here, you can see the webinterface from QUADStor. To start the configuration, click on [Physical Storage].
  • Here, the unassigned disks can be assigned to the respective storage pool by clicking on [Add]. Execute this for all disks.
    Here, the unassigned disks can be assigned to the respective storage pool by clicking on [Add]. Execute this for all disks.
  • Select the Default Pool and click on [Submit]. The assignment should only be visible in the overview.
    Select the Default Pool and click on [Submit]. The assignment should only be visible in the overview.
  • If you do not want to use the Default Pool, you can create a new pool under [Storage Pools]. Alternatively, you can also adjust the Default Pool as desired in this tab. For this, click on [View].
    If you do not want to use the Default Pool, you can create a new pool under [Storage Pools]. Alternatively, you can also adjust the Default Pool as desired in this tab. For this, click on [View].
  • Now, the [Drive Definition] must be adjusted under [Device Definitions]. Click on [Add Drive Definition] and adjust the parameters. An explanation of the parameter can be found in the table below. Click on [Submit].
    Now, the [Drive Definition] must be adjusted under [Device Definitions]. Click on [Add Drive Definition] and adjust the parameters. An explanation of the parameter can be found in the table below. Click on [Submit].
  • The changers must also be created under the same tab. To do this, click on [Add Changer Definitions] and adjust the values. Apply the configuration by clicking on [Submit].
    The changers must also be created under the same tab. To do this, click on [Add Changer Definitions] and adjust the values. Apply the configuration by clicking on [Submit].
  • After this, the definitions should look similar to this.
    After this, the definitions should look similar to this.
  • Click on [Virtual Libraries] to create the VTL and click on [Add VTL].You can then assign a name, VDrives, VSlots, and the definitions from earlier. An explanation for this can be found below.
    Click on [Virtual Libraries] to create the VTL and click on [Add VTL].You can then assign a name, VDrives, VSlots, and the definitions from earlier. An explanation for this can be found below.
  • The configuration should look similar to this. Go to [Add VCartridge] to conclude the configuration.
    The configuration should look similar to this. Go to [Add VCartridge] to conclude the configuration.
  • Here, under [Number of VCartridge], you can define how many tapes should be integrated into the VSlots. In addition, a label/prefix must also be assigned. This must consist of 6 characters and a 0 for automatic numbering.
    Here, under [Number of VCartridge], you can define how many tapes should be integrated into the VSlots. In addition, a label/prefix must also be assigned. This must consist of 6 characters and a 0 for automatic numbering.


Definition of Changer Definitions:

Term Definition
Name Unique name for Changer Definition. Only contains numbers and letters.
Vendor Replicated manufacturer name. Only contains numbers and letters.
Product Replicated product name. Contains numbers, letters as well as blank spaces.
Revision Replicated firmware status. May contain numbers, letters, spaces, and periods.
Serial Prefix Prefix for automatic generated serial number. Placed before the serial number.
Serial Suffix Suffix for automatic generated serial number. Placed before the serial number.
Serial Length Length of automatic generated serial numbers (usually between 10 - 12)
Inquiry Length Length of the SCSI query response (usually 56)
Drive Start Address States starting address for drives (leave as Default)
IE Start Address States the IE starting address for drives (leave as Default)
Slot Start Address States the slot starting address for drives (leave as Default)
AVoltag Determines whether the changer reports its virtual drive serial number in response to a SCSI read element

Definition Drive Definitons:

Term Definition
Name Unique name for drive definition. Only contains numbers and letters.
Vendor Replicated manufacturer name. Only contains numbers and letters.
Product Replicated product name. Contains numbers, letters and blank spaces.
Revision Replicated firmware-status. Contains numbers, letters blank spaces and dots.
Serial Suffix Suffix for automatic generated serial number. Attached to the serial number.
Serial Prefix Prefix for automatic generated serial number. Placed before the serial number.
Serial Length Length of automatic generated serial number ( usually between 10 - 12)
Inquiry Length Length of SCSI-query response (usually 56)
Media Type Defines which type of tape is emulated, such as LTO8, LTO7, etc.

VTL with StarWind

Installation StarWind

This installation is made on a Windows server 2022. To start the installation, execute the downloaded EXE-file.

Hint: To test StarWind VTL, you need a license key for the trial version. The free version offers only a very limited range of functions.

  • At the beginning, you can see installation nodes.
    At the beginning, you can see installation nodes.
  • Select the installation path.
    Select the installation path.
  • Check all required packages. Alternatively, you can also select [Full], so that all dependencies can be considered.
    Check all required packages. Alternatively, you can also select [Full], so that all dependencies can be considered.
  • Enter now a path for the starting menu.
    Enter now a path for the starting menu.
  • If necessary, you can also create a desktop icon.
    If necessary, you can also create a desktop icon.
  • After this, you have to state if you already have a License-Key or not. If this is not the case, the StarWind opens and you can request a key.
    After this, you have to state if you already have a License-Key or not. If this is not the case, the StarWind opens and you can request a key.
  • The path to the License-key must be entered.
    The path to the License-key must be entered.
  • Now, you can see a short summary of the licenses.
    Now, you can see a short summary of the licenses.
  • After this, you have to accept the EULA.
    After this, you have to accept the EULA.
  • Here you can see an overview of the configured parameters. If these meet your requirements, click on [Install].
    Here you can see an overview of the configured parameters. If these meet your requirements, click on [Install].
  • In the following, you can adjust different parameters such as ports or passwords. By clicking on [OK], the installation will be concluded.
    In the following, you can adjust different parameters such as ports or passwords. By clicking on [OK], the installation will be concluded.

Configuration StarWind

After successful installation, some configurations must be performed, so that the VTL can be integrated into your system:

  • You can open the StarWind Management console. It will be displayed in the beginning that no pool has been configured yet.
    You can open the StarWind Management console. It will be displayed in the beginning that no pool has been configured yet.
  • To configure this, go to your server on the left side under [Server] and click on [Connect], then you can select the respective drive for the pool.
    To configure this, go to your server on the left side under [Server] and click on [Connect], then you can select the respective drive for the pool.
  • After this, click "Add VTL Device". Here, you can create a new VTL or add an existing one. For this, enter the respective path.
    After this, click "Add VTL Device". Here, you can create a new VTL or add an existing one. For this, enter the respective path.
  • Select an additional model that should be emulated and click on [Next].
    Select an additional model that should be emulated and click on [Next].
  • You can state an Alias for the VTL Target. For this, state a name and select [Create new Target]. In addition, you can also allow the connection of multiple iSCSI endpoints. Click on [Next].
    You can state an Alias for the VTL Target. For this, state a name and select [Create new Target]. In addition, you can also allow the connection of multiple iSCSI endpoints. Click on [Next].
  • The VTL will be now created and configured.
    The VTL will be now created and configured.
  • Finally, you will see the target name again, with which you can connect the VTL to your system. Finally, click on [Close].
    Finally, you will see the target name again, with which you can connect the VTL to your system. Finally, click on [Close].

You can then connect your respective VTL to your backup infrastructure and start backing up.

More information

Installing a Virtual Tape Library
Installation on RHEL CentOS SLES Debian


Author: Niklas Pauli

Niklas Pauli works in the product management team at Thomas-Krenn. He completed his general university entrance qualification at Freyung High School and then his training as an IT specialist for system integration at Thomas-Krenn.AG. After completing his training, he continued to work in the areas of Proxmox VE incl. Ceph, backup (Proxmox, Veeam, SEP). He is also a regular writer for the Thomas-Krenn-Wiki.

Translator: Alina Ranzinger

Alina has been working at Thomas-Krenn.AG since 2024. After her training as multilingual business assistant, she got her job as assistant of the Product Management and is responsible for the translation of texts and for the organisation of the department.


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