More than a VTL. Compass seamlessly integrates tape into a complete backup platform.
A traditional VTL emulates tape on top of an erector set of parts. You still buy and maintain the compute, the storage, the software, the networking, the backup software around it, and all the maintenance, administration, and operations of the VTL. Compass includes the most flexible IBM-approved VTL inside a complete enterprise backup platform, so IBM i, Power, x86, VMware, and cloud are protected from one console.
The value Compass brings for IBM i backup
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The most flexible IBM-approved VTLCompass Tape Gateway™ is built into the platform and IBM-tested for iSCSI, on-premises and on Power VS.
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Recovery you can count onFull-system restore, a daily view of recovery readiness, and disaster recovery into Power Virtual Server.
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BRMS works unchangedVirtual tape presents to BRMS, SAV, and RST with zero command, media-policy, or workflow changes.
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No Fiber Channel to wrangleConnects over iSCSI: no Fiber Channel costs, adapters, zoning, or dedicated ports to plan around.
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One platform for enterprise workloadsIBM i, AIX, and Linux on Power alongside x86, VMware, and cloud, protected from a single console.
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Pay for what you storePriced on post-deduplicated, post-compressed data, not raw appliance capacity or the front-end volume you send.
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Secure by designZero Access® architecture removes the logins attackers target. Immutable and isolated copies plus anomaly alerts protect your recovery point.
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Deployed fast, kept currentAvailable worldwide including from the IBM Cloud Catalog and all delivered as SaaS. Updates, upgrades, and patches are automated through Compass, including any local Compass Vault.
Replacing tape shouldn't create new problems
A traditional VTL solves one problem: getting rid of physical tape. For many IBM i teams, it brings new ones.
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Recovery takes extra systems and manual steps
Full-system and DR restores can require temporary systems, alternate boot sources, separate procedures, or steps the vendor won't fully support.
With Compass: Full-system restore on supported IBM i and firmware levels, a daily view of recovery readiness, and DR into Power and Power Virtual Server.
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Another hardware stack to manage
Appliances or servers to buy, size, patch, upgrade, and eventually replace, with firmware, operating system, and VTL software on separate cycles.
With Compass: Updates, upgrades, and patches are automated through Compass, including any local Compass Vault.
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Fragile Fiber Channel plumbing
Adding drives or slots can break IBM i device discovery and force adapter resets. Fiber Channel ports often must be dedicated to the VTL.
With Compass: Connects over iSCSI, with no Fiber Channel adapters or zoning to maintain.
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Cloud as an afterthought
Cloud tiers bolted on as export targets, with manual retrieval, restores that require the same vendor's VTL, or no Power VS option at all.
With Compass: Available from the IBM Cloud Catalog, deployed on Power VS in under 15 minutes, with DR into Power Virtual Server.
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BRMS housekeeping that never ends
Expired media that doesn't free space, inventory mismatches after tape moves, and jobs that must run in exactly the right order.
With Compass: BRMS works unchanged, with automated daily backup administration.
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Ransomware protection with gaps
Retention locks that can be reverted and subverted, frequent critical security patches, and multiple consoles and logins to secure.
With Compass: Zero Access® architecture, immutable copies with anomaly alerts all from an isolated fault domain: the Compass Vault
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Costs that grow in steps
Capacity bought up front, licensed by capacity, plus separate backup software and periodic hardware refreshes.
With Compass: Priced on post-deduplicated, post-compressed data you actually store.
Side by side
| Criterion | Cobalt Iron Compass | Traditional VTL |
|---|---|---|
| Product scope | ✓ Full enterprise backup platform with VTL included | ✗ VTL only; other workloads need separate backup software and tools and skills |
| IBM support | ✓ Compass Tape Gateway: the most flexible IBM-approved VTL, IBM-tested for iSCSI on-premises and on Power VS | ✗ Varies by vendor; IBM states OEM support claims are the vendor's own |
| Recovery | ✓ Full-system restore, daily recovery readiness, DR into Power VS | ✗ Often multi-step, with extra systems and manual cloud retrieval |
| Pricing basis | ✓ Post-deduplication, post-compression: pay for what's stored | ✗ Appliance capacity bought up front and licensed by capacity, plus hardware refreshes |
| Security | ✓ Zero Access® architecture; immutable and isolated copies; anomaly alerts | ✗ Customer-secured appliance, consoles, and logins; retention protection varies |
| BRMS compatibility | ✓ Zero changes to BRMS, SAV, RST and all operations transparent and automated | ✗ Tape emulation for BRMS; media and space housekeeping often manual including volume retrieval |
| x86, VMware & cloud workloads | ✓ Protected by the same platform and console | ✗ Protection not included, separate software and costs required |
| Deployment | ✓ Automated; under 15 minutes on Power VS | ✗ Appliance procurement, installation, and configuration |
| Operations | ✓ SaaS: updates, upgrades, and patches automated; automated daily backup administration | ✗ Customer-run hardware and software lifecycle, including version end-of-life |
Total cost, not just the VTL line item
A traditional VTL quote covers the appliance and its capacity license. Running one for IBM i costs more than that. Compare everything it takes to protect your environment.
| Cost line | Compass | Traditional VTL |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Simple, clear pricing on post-deduplicated, post-compressed data you actually store | Bought up front, sized for peak, licensed by capacity |
| VTL lifecycle | Updates, upgrades, and patches automated through Compass | Appliance or server refreshes, plus firmware, OS, and VTL software upgrades on separate cycles |
| Other workloads | Included: one platform, one console | Separate backup products for x86, VMware, and cloud |
| Admin time | Automated daily backup administration for always-on data protection | Media housekeeping, Fiber Channel changes, multi-step DR procedures |
Migration made simple with Compass Tape Migrator
Switching doesn't mean a disruptive cutover. Compass Tape Migrator will bring your entire history of backup data from physical to virtual tapes into your Compass solution.
- Choose your tapes. Select the tapes you want to bring into Compass.
- Connect the migrator. Link the temporary Compass Tape Migrator system to your existing tapes and your Compass Vault.
- Start the move. Launch Compass Tape Migrator and track progress as your data moves into Compass.
- Retire your tape libraries. Shut down your physical or virtual tape libraries without leaving any data behind.
Compass Tape Migrator
Compass Tape Migrator lets you retire physical tape without leaving your backup history behind. It moves cartridges from your existing physical or virtual tape library into Compass Tape Gateway on IBM i, AIX, and Linux on Power, so you can get to a modern VTL with less effort and less risk.
- No catalog rework. Every cartridge keeps its volume serial (volser), so your backup application's catalog stays valid and there's nothing to rebuild.
- Your data arrives exactly as written. Data is copied block for block, including file boundaries, whichever backup application wrote it.
- Your originals stay safe. The migrator only reads your existing library and never changes it, so your source tapes stay untouched until you're ready to retire them.
- Less time spent on migration. Cartridges migrate in parallel, one per pair of drives. Adding drives or faster links shortens the job.
- Proof that every cartridge made it. Each cartridge can be checked against the source with checksums and gets a report of what was copied, its size, and whether it verified. That gives you a clear record for sign-off.
- Your schedule, with help where needed. You run the migration in a window that suits your operations. Where needed, Cobalt Iron engineers can assist with planning, setup, and early migrations.