Since the dawn of computing, businesses have used tape to backup their data. Although tape has limitations, it is much more affordable than other backup options, so its continued use was justified.
The situation is changing. Disk storage is much cheaper than tape and has superior performance, durability and usability. Many businesses are now looking to get rid of tape for disaster recovery and backup.
These are the key requirements for a perfect backup plan:
o It should be economically feasible. It is necessary to store large amounts of data (due to the necessity to keep multiple versions), but many times the data will not be accessible. The data's value to the bottom line of the company is only if it is required. Otherwise, it is an unnecessary expense.
o It should be reliable for the long-term. To meet business and regulatory requirements, some data needs must be kept for long periods of storage, sometimes even decades. It must be easily readable and available in case it is ever required. Tape that is left unutilized for long periods of time becomes brittle, which can lead to data loss and even breakage.
o It should be easy to set-up and use. As the data grows and backup windows shrink, the time frames for backing up are becoming shorter. It is therefore crucial to ensure that backups are performed quickly. Automating the backup process reduces human error and saves money.
o Data recovery, whether it is individual files or the whole system, should be fast, simple, and reliable. It can be difficult to retrieve tapes from off-site storage today. Access to particular records on tape can be difficult because data is stored in a sequential fashion. If the tape is damaged, old or brittle, it can make it difficult to read the tapes. This wastes valuable IT resources that could be used elsewhere. These are all issues that disk storage does not have.
The NAS Approach
Network Attached Storage systems (NAS) are quickly becoming the most cost-effective and efficient back-up option, with prices starting at $2 per GB.
Disk-to Disk data transfer speeds are far faster than those of writing to tape. This means that more data can be backed-up in a shorter time.
o Disk storage is more durable than tape so your data will always be available when you need it.
Random access to data on the disk saves time when trying and restoring specific files.
o NAS devices can be connected directly to your network, so they won't affect your other systems.
Tape rotation is possible with disk-based storage systems. More sophisticated systems can eliminate duplicate files and store more compactly.
Hot-swap enclosures are a good alternative to offsite storage for smaller data amounts.
Using a NAS system located in another office, and backing it up via the network to provide a quick, automated remote backup provides a fast, automatic backup. The backup system can be immediately activated in the event of an emergency to ensure business continuity and rapid recovery.
Businesses are adopting a staged approach where an onsite NAS provides quick backups and restores of servers and workstations. To prepare for a disaster in which the primary business location is destroyed or prevented from access, data can be automatically replicated to another NAS. The off-site and on-site systems can be configured to mirror one another, which allows for rapid changes and high-value data Qnap España
A NAS system can also be deployed for other reasons. The NAS system can be justified by multiple goals. Examples include:
o Additional storage for end users. It is much easier to backup data in centralized storage than on multiple end-user systems.
Designed for central repositories of workgroup and departmental data that needs to be shared.
o Compliance with Regulations, such as email retention requirements in HIPAA and Sarbannes-Oxley.
Even if tape backup is not abandoned completely, a NAS can be used as a quick staging server to quickly gather data from other systems during your backup window. You can then let the NAS send the data to the tape unit, without worrying about time limitations. This is known as disk-to–disk–to-tape back-up.
Network Attached Storage systems have quickly become the preferred method of data sharing, management, and backup for enterprise applications and databases.