FalconStor will release version 3 of its VTL (virtual tape library) software later this month, and I couldn’t resist an early peek. You may have already seen VTL, though likely behind OEM camouflage: This flexible backup solution was adopted on many vendors’ hardware, including the Maxxan switches we reviewed last year.Version 3 expands VTL’s already extensive interoperability matrix, works with just about any disk array or tape library, and supports all major backup applications. Instead of buying a prepackaged solution, you can also license VTL for your existing hardware and quickly attain faster and more manageable backups with minimal changes to existing procedures.VTL 3 also introduces the ability to connect a virtual tape to hosts that are not media servers, a setup achieved with a few easy steps on the VTL console and installation of an agent on each host. This saves money on software licenses and makes for more granular and targeted backups. Creating a similar configuration with a real tape library — even if possible — would be much more disruptive. Another intriguing new feature goes beyond the traditional backup paradigm by creating mirror images of server disks that application-aware host agents keep constantly up-to-date. The most exciting benefit of this continuous data-protection scheme is the nearly unrestricted number of restore points, compared to the scarce few available with traditional backups.Finally, if you have spare iSCSI bandwidth and a datacenter serving multiple IT teams, VTL 3 will let single heterogeneous servers initiate their own backups and restores while maintaining centralized policies and administration on the VTL. If running backups is getting the best of you, don’t miss FalconStor VTL 3. Virtual Tape Library 3 falconstor.com Cost: Starts at $10,000 (bundled with an appliance) Available: Late April Data Management