How to make consistent copies of *vtl files

[tbu]

How is it possible to create a consistent copy of a virtual tape *.vtl file to
removable media (e.g. RDX drives) from time to time.
So the clumsy way is to manually unload the *.vtl, making the copy and then reloading this image file.
Is there also a way to use Microsoft VSS or some backup utilities (WIN7) related to
VSS to make consistent copies without unloading and reloading the *.vtl. Is
Starwind aware of when shadow copies are made by VSS? It seems to me that the CDP
and Snapshot feature is not available with the VTL feature in Starwind
Enterprise software.

In our setup writing to the *.vtl is scheduled only for weekends (through
Microsoft DPM 2010 long term feature D2D2T). so we plan to copy *.vtl to
removable media somewhere in the middle of the week when no writing activities by
DPM 2010 occur. Some hint is welcome.

I appologize for that question but I'm new to Starwind. Maybe this topic has been covered before.

We just have purchased STARWIND 5.4.1608 Enterprise.

[Max (staff)]

Hello Tbu,
VSS maintains consistency of a disk which is performing writing operation in the moment.
Your disks remain completely idle in the time when VTL-Tape backup is performed so the risk of inconsistency is reduced to ~0 even if using non-VSS friendly backup tool.