Disk-based data protection specialist FalconStor Software, Inc. has partnered with virtual tape library (VTL) supplier Bus-Tech, Inc. to provide interoperability between their flagship products, providing deduplication for mainframes. That means Bus-Tech’s channel partners have an easier way to minimize storage capacity in the data center and reduce the need for physical tape. Here’s the scoop.

From the technical perspective, the press release indicates the newly-certified interoperability means that the FalconStor File-interface Deduplication System(FDS), which touts its low-bandwidth, high-security approach to remote data retention, works with the Bus-Tech Mainframe Data Library (MDL), VTL controllers that attach directly to the IBM mainframe FICON or ESCON I/O channels to emulate legacy tape drives and store data directly to FDS.

In short: take a legacy mainframe, trick it into thinking its backing up to a tape drive when it’s really backing up to a remote site – and reducing storage required by deduplicating, to boot – means that those administering legacy systems should at least take a look at the FalconStor/BusTech solution.

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