News

Blue Hill and SecureAgent Software Showcase the Tape Migration Engine — IBM Systems Magazine Press Release

November 16, 2020

Blue Hill Successfully Partners with SecureAgent Using the Tape Migration Engine

The Tape Migration Engine migrates tapes from current libraries without impacting the Mainframe host

SecureAgent Software, a global provider of Mainframe security, automation and virtual tape solutions has introduced the Tape Migration Engine, a game-changing Mainframe tape and virtual tape migration methodology.  Their long-time technology partner Blue Hill Data Services is pleased to announce the successful migrations of four different customers, utilizing SecureAgent’s Tape Migration Engine. Additionally, each customer’s existing Virtual Tape Subsystem (STK/Oracle ATL, IBM 7740/20, Flex-ES, EMC DLM) was migrated and then replaced with the SecureAgent Virtual Tape Solution. 

The challenge was in selecting a proven migration tool and virtual tape solution that would accommodate these disparate tape systems, by replacing each customer’s existing virtual tape system/subsystem with one solution.

The results included improving the security of the data, providing encryption for data at rest and data in transit, providing compression and thereby utilizing less storage and not interrupting current processing, using one technology rather than four, and attaining significant cost efficiencies. 

SecureAgent’s Tape Migration Engine represents a new approach for implementing mainframe tape and tape library migrations. Traditional tape library migrations are labor intensive and require monitoring of the system and monitoring of the third-party software. 

Utilizing the SecureAgent Tape Migration Engine is simple and straight-forward and the automated processes can be left to run unattended.

It eliminates any involvement from the mainframe host, uses no expensive Mainframe cycles, does not require expensive third-party tape copy software nor expensive migration management. 

Compatible with All Mainframe Tape Libraries

The Tape Migration Engine is a host-free, transparent tape migration strategy, moving data directly from any existing Mainframe Tape Library (either virtual, physical or both) to the Tape Migration Engine without requiring any impact to the Mainframe host or existing Mainframe operations.   The host system continues with normal production while the Tape Migration Engine  directly controls the current VTL and copies and encrypts all of its data.

Server Based Mainframe Tape Commands

The Tape Migration Engine is directly FICON attached to the target library as an additional LPAR and appears to the library as a Mainframe host.   The Tape Migration Engine issues tape mount commands and directly reads VOLSER tape ranges, simultaneously copying them to attached fiber channel storage.

  • Import any existing tape VOLSERs directly to ATL format
  • No more 3rd Party Software tape copy programs
  • No costly host cycles
  • Data encrypted at rest and in transit

Transparent to the Host

The Mainframe host has no awareness of the Tape Migration Engine and continues with its normal operations. At the completion of the migration import, the Tape Migration Engine is FICON attached to the Mainframe host and becomes the new Virtual Tape Library, and the original tape infrastructure can then be decommissioned.

All Mainframe tape data read by the Tape Migration Engine is simultaneously compressed and encrypted before being stored on disk.

If protecting redundant copies of data at various geographic locations is a requirement, the Migration Engine will also immediately begin securely replicating the newly migrated data to a remote SecureAgent VTL.

The Tape Migration Engine provides the fastest, most efficient and most secure method of moving your data out of an existing Tape Library and into a new State-of-the-Art SecureAgent VTL.

Cloud Enablement

Want to extend the life of your existing Tape Libraries? Or eliminate the need for costly upgrades by instead using an inexpensive method to modernize your tape storage and archiving capabilities?

SecureAgent has an additional module within the Tape Migration Engine which will extend the life of your existing Tape Libraries by providing an interface to the Cloud. The Tape Migration Engine can read any tape volumes from the Tape Library based on a variety of specified criteria, and automatically convert them to Encrypted Cloud Objects and store them at any remote Cloud archive provider.

About SecureAgent Software

SecureAgent Software has been helping customers protect and manage sensitive data for nearly 30 years. Many of the largest companies across the United States and throughout Europe use SecureAgent products in mission critical areas of their daily operations. The company plays an integral role in secure remote console access, data backup and recovery, advanced automation, integrated tape management, and disaster recovery.

SecureAgent Software is revolutionizing the efficient migration of Mainframe, open systems, and IBMi backup data from legacy backup solutions to state-of-the-art secure virtual tape subsystems. The technology is in use by the government sector and commercial companies.

Among the companies using SecureAgent Software are three of the four largest US banks, the two largest credit card processing companies, the nation’s two largest communications companies, some of the largest US airlines in North America.

Contact: info@secureagent.com, John Sawyer 918.691.9000
Website: http://www.secureagent.com/ATL/Migration.html

About Blue Hill Data Services

Blue Hill Data Services consistently achieves 100% client satisfaction by providing Private Cloud and fully managed 24/7 data center hosting solutions, and a full array of complementary IT support services.

We deliver all services from On-Shore, USA, and since 1994 we have supported government and commercial clients; helping them reduce their operating expense, eliminate capital expense, mitigate the risk of a retiring workforce, meet all regulatory compliance and audit requirements, and achieve 100% client success.

Blue Hill specializes in mainframe, and also provides multi-platform services and infrastructure solutions. We have successfully carved out a niche in supporting Mainframe mission-critical applications. Acting as our Clients’ partner, we can support their environments either indefinitely or until they choose to get off the Mainframe, providing flexibility in reducing costs as utilization decreases.

Our differentiation is providing customized solutions, flexibility both in contract and solutions, cost effectiveness, and personalized attention. Our client’s data center environment can be hosted within Blue Hills’ private cloud facilities, or Blue Hill support services can be provided remotely to the Client’s site.

IT Managed Delivery Services and Solutions:

  • Mainframe-as-a-Service (MFaaS)
  • AS/400 – iSeries-as-a-Service
  • Client-Server Systems Support
  • Applications Development and Maintenance Support Services
  • Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity
  • Colocation Services
  • Remote Support
  • Consulting Assistance

Our deep technical skills and longstanding experience enable us to support our clients’ legacy environments as well as implement new technology solutions.

We do not force clients to upgrade or change the way they are used to doing business. This enables seamless transitions, minimizes risk, and completes migrations in shorter timeframes.

We are proud of our 100% client satisfaction.