IBM Mainframe • ESCON • MVS & VSE

VTA — Virtual Tape for IBM Mainframe

End-to-end ESCON-connected virtual tape that emulates up to 16 × IBM 3490 tape drives. Delivered turnkey with a Barr Systems ESCON adapter and our VTA software for reliable, high-throughput operations.

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VTA product illustration with mainframe and virtual tape

What’s included

ESCON Channel Connectivity

Includes a Barr Systems ESCON channel adapter for direct connection to your IBM mainframe via fiber-optic ESCON. Suitable for MVS/VSE environments.

VTA Software (3490 Emulation)

License to emulate up to 16 IBM 3490 tape devices with robust device mapping, logging, and operations monitoring.

NX581-T70 Platform

Mini-tower system with legacy expansion to host the ESCON adapter and VTA software. Optimized for stability in data center deployments.

Services & Support

Installation assistance, configuration guidance, and ongoing support from engineers with decades of mainframe connectivity experience.

Host Platform — NIXSYS NX581-T70

  • CPU support: Intel® 2nd & 3rd Gen Core i3/i5/i7 (LGA1155)
  • Form factor: Mini Tower (Micro-ATX motherboard)
  • Chipset: Intel® B75 (Micro-ATX-581)
  • Motherboard size: 244 mm × 244 mm (9.6″ × 9.6″)
  • Expansion: 2 × legacy PCI (32-bit), 2 × PCI-Express
  • Ports: 2 × Serial (COM), 1 × Parallel (LPT), 8 × USB 2.0
  • Operating systems: Compatible offerings include Windows 10 and legacy Windows (e.g., XP) for specialized use cases

Notes: Final CPU, RAM, storage, and I/O configuration are set to meet ESCON and VTA throughput requirements. Equivalent hardware may be supplied if the exact model is unavailable.

Pricing

VTA (16× 3490 Emulation) with Barr Systems ESCON Adapter

$39,999 (USD)

  • Includes hardware platform, ESCON adapter, and VTA software license (up to 16 devices)
  • Onsite/remote install assistance available
  • Maintenance & support plans available
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Connectivity & Compatibility

  • Mainframe link: ESCON channel-in via Barr Systems ESCON PCI adapter
  • Host environment: Windows-based host for VTA services and management
  • Emulation: Up to 16 logical IBM 3490 tape devices

Need FICON or more than 16 devices? Contact us to discuss options.

About Universal Software, Inc.

Universal Software, Inc.
Brookfield Office Park, Brookfield, CT 06804 • Phone: (203) 792-5100