EPJ Web of Conferences (Jan 2019)

The GridKa Tape System: status and outlook

  • Ressmann Doris,
  • Lobontu Dorin,
  • Beitzinger Martin,
  • Schaefer Karin,
  • Heiss Andreas,
  • Petzold Andreas,
  • Musheghyan Haykuhi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/201921404029
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 214
p. 04029

Abstract

Read online

Tape storage is still a cost effective way to keep large amounts of data over a long period of time and it is expected that this will continue in the future. The GridKa tape environment is a complex system of many hardware components and software layers. Configuring this system for optimal performance for all use cases is a non-trivial task and requires a lot of experience. We present the current status of the GridKa tape environment, report on recent upgrades and improvements and plans to further develop and enhance the system, especially with regard to the future requirements of the HEP experiments and their large data centers. The short-term planning mainly includes the transition from TSM to HPSS as the backend and the effects on the connection of dCache and xrootd. Recent changes of the vendor situation of certain tape technologies require a precise analysis of the impact and eventual adaptation of the mid-term planning, in particular with respect to scalability challenge that comes with HL-LHC on the horizon.