IBM TS7700 (VTL) Virtual tape library

The IBM TS7700 family is IBM's virtual tape storage solution, purpose-built for IBM Z mainframe environments. It combines high-performance disk cache with tape technologies to virtualise, manage and optimise mainframe storage workflows — helping organisations protect and manage ever-expanding volumes of business-critical information on-premises, in the cloud, or across hybrid infrastructure.

Key Features

• Massive scale — supports up to 1.5PB (1,572TB) of disk cache per system, and up to 100PB of total storage with tape and/or cloud attachment.
• Automated tiering — moves data automatically between disk, tape and cloud, balancing performance against long-term retention cost.
• Mainframe-native compatibility — fully compatible with IBM z/OS, z/VM, z/VSE and DS8900 Storage.
• Flexible attachment — connects to IBM and third-party tape libraries, cloud storage, and next-generation disk.
• Cyber resilience — WORM, replication and true tape air-gap options help protect mission-critical mainframe data against ransomware and data loss.
• Seamless disaster recovery — extends storage to public or private cloud for flexible DR and near-infinite scalability.

Why Choose the TS7700

Mainframe environments carry some of the most demanding backup and retention requirements in enterprise IT, and the TS7700 is built specifically for that workload. By virtualising tape through a high-performance disk cache, it gives you the speed of disk for active backup and restore operations while retaining the cost-efficiency and long-term durability of tape for retention — without your applications needing to know the difference. That combination makes it a core part of a resilient, compliant mainframe data strategy, rather than a bolt-on backup target.

Its air-gap and WORM capabilities mean it also functions as a genuine cyber-resilience layer, not just a capacity tier — an offline, immutable copy that ransomware and insider threats can't reach, sitting alongside your primary mainframe storage.

Common Use Cases

• Mainframe backup and restore — lightning-fast backups with virtual tape caching, and rapid restores for compliance or disaster recovery.
• Long-term data retention — store high volumes of regulated or archival data securely and cost-effectively with automated movement between disk, tape and cloud.
• Cyber resilience — WORM, replication and true tape air-gap options to protect mission-critical assets.
• Hybrid cloud integration — extend mainframe storage to public or private cloud for flexible disaster recovery.

Not sure whether the TS7700 or a different IBM tape solution fits your mainframe environment? Talk to Fortuna Data. As an IBM Silver Partner we can help you scope the right configuration for your retention strategy and budget.