Enterprise tape library designed to provide reliability, scalability and manageability with robust data protection and investment protection in heterogeneous storage area networks (SAN) environments.
What level of encryption does the HP StorageWorks LTO-4 Ultrium 1840 Tape Drive configuration offer?
A1.
LTO-4 uses the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with the longest and most secure keys, 256 bits. AES-256 is implemented within Galois Counter Mode (GCM). This is a method of increasing AES security by efficiently adding Message Authentication Codes to ensure the integrity of the backup data stored on tape. The HP LTO-4 Ultrium 1840 Tape Drive is designed to be compliant with the emerging standard for tape drive security, IEEE 1619.1.
Q2.
What are the benefits of hardware based encryption at the ASIC level of the tape drive?
A2.
The main benefit is performance. At normal block lengths (say 10KBytes and above), there will be no discernable performance loss due to encryption. This is in stark contrast to software encryption, where performance is significantly reduced. Also, LTO-4 tape drives implement hardware compression before encryption. Encrypted data cannot be compression. With software encryption, compression is not done causing significant capacity loss. Alternatively, at an even greater cost to performance, compression could be done in software. It is possible to buy “black box appliances” to do hardware encryption between computer and tape drive, but these significantly add to system complexity and cost, even if they are able to match tape drive encryption speeds.
Q3.
Can I encrypt LTO-3 tapes with the HP StorageWorks LTO-4 Ultrium 1840 Tape Drive configuration?
A3.
No, encryption is only supported in the LTO-4 format. The LTO-3 format does not support encryption. This is the same for all tape drive manufacturers. However, you can write unencrypted LTO-3 tapes with the HP LTO-4 Ultrium 1840 Tape Drive configuration.
Q4.
When are the various controllers used?
A4.
A library with LTO-4 Ultrium 1840 tape drives requires one e2400-FC 2Gb interface card to control the robotics and one HP EML LTO-4 Internal Network Kit to manage the drives. (If the customer has an existing e2400-FC 4Gb interface card, it can be used in place of the e2400-FC 2Gb interface card.)
For all other configurations, the rules that have applied in the past, still apply. (For example, one e2400-FC 4Gb interface card for every 4 LTO-3 Ultrium 960 drives.)
Q5.
What is the purpose of the EML Internal Network Kit?
A5.
The purpose of the EML Internal Network Kit is to provide a private management network inside the library to connect the Interface Manager (IM) to the LTO-4 drives.
Q6.
Can the HP StorageWorks Enterprise Modular Library (EML) be put in my existing rack?
A6.
The rack-ready EML71e configuration provides for installation in HP 10000 and 10000 G2 series racks at the customer site. For maximum convenience and faster install time the EML Base Library is factory installed.
Q7.
Can other components be loaded into an EML rack?
A7.
Yes. However, in order to scale the EML, that space will be needed. Future upgrades may require relocation of any devices loaded into the EML rack.
Q8.
Can the EML71e rack-mount configuration be upgraded to larger EML configurations?
A8.
Yes, the EML71e can be upgraded to an EML103e configuration with the AH063A HP EML 71e Licensed Capacity Upgrade. The AH063A provides electronic capacity expansion to 103 slots by enabling the remaining pre-installed slots. The upgrade also bundles in the required permanent license for Command View Tape Library Software. The unit can be further upgraded to other valid EML platform configurations.
Q9.
What are the basic EML specifications?
A9.
The EML library is built on a modular structure that includes several factory integrated configurations using a Capacity Expansion Module. The number of drives and slots may be increased by the purchase of expansion modules bringing the library to 16 drives and 442 slots for maximum performance or 8 drives and 505 slots for maximum capacity. The EML provides rack-ready and factory rack configurations.
Q10.
Is Ultrium a reliable, robust technology with a future?
A10.
HP offers an entire product lineup of Ultrium products from media and drives to libraries. Reliability is quoted at 250,000 hrs at 100% duty cycle and substantiated by: Adaptive tape speed innovations reducing media start and stop Low heat dissipation 100,000 load/unload specification Ultrium’s future is certain, backed by HP, IBM, and Quantum, three of the largest names in the tape storage industry Robust six-generation roadmap being executed to schedule
Q11.
Which media should I use?
A11.
HP recommends either the HP Ultrium 800GB Data Cartridges or the HP 800GB WORM Data Cartridges which have been tested together to ensure the optimum performance of the complete HP Ultrium solution. The HP product specifications for HP Ultrium media is unique and covers several areas, like start/stop and load/unload, which are relevant to EML automation customers but excluded from industry standard tests. HP applies quality control testing on every single batch of media to ensure that it meets the HP product specifications.
Q12.
Does the HP StorageWorks EML tape library replace the HP StorageWorks MSL or ESL tape libraries?
A12.
No. The EML tape library does not replace either the MSL or the ESL tape library families. MSL tape libraries will continue to serve the needs of smaller environments and the ESL tape library will serve the needs of the largest enterprise accounts. The EML provides the best solution for data protection needs that fall between the MSL and ESL platforms.
Q13.
What are the ways to manage encryption keys for enterprise libraries with LTO-4?
A13.
HP StorageWorks Secure Key Manager or ISV backup applications.
Reviews dated from 9/1/09 – 10/15/09 may have been part of a sweepstakes submission.
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