Proper Data Management: ebackup Inc. Newsletter

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Working with Tiered Backup Systems

By properly prioritizing business data, companies can tier their backup and recovery technologies in much the same way primary storage is presently tiered. This method complies with the storage strategy known as information lifecycle management (ILM). The purpose of ILM is essentially to maximize the ROI of anything technology you invest in by avoiding wasteful practices, such as taking up time by backing up low-value data on a high-end device, and implanting more efficient models.

Exhibit A: CDP

For example, one powerful model involves the installation of continuous data protection (CDP) technology to be used in conjunction with a traditional disk-to-disk-to-tape setup in order to tier data according to business priority. CDP provides a rolling, time stamped database of every modification to a company's data resulting in near instantaneous data recovery.

CDP allows IT managers to know in advance how certain data will be protected based in its business value. Critical data is sent to the CDP module while more operational data is channelled through to traditional backup technology. This tiered approach to data protection is primarily based on different classes of backup services, and is but one of several methods currently being developed.

Exhibit B: NLB

More a concept than a strict technology, near-line backup (NLB) technology sits at the crossroads of online access and offline storage (e.g. tape). Data backed up near-line might be on a serial ATA drive -- slower to access than high-end disk, but infinitely faster than tape. The primary goal of NLB is to improve restore time. For example, by backing up data near-line for a few weeks, then making tapes to move offsite (planning for a more historical type disaster), allows quicker time to restore.

Exhibit C: VTL

Software that runs tape-based backup is not geared toward the use of native formats. Layering virtual tape library (VTL) software between disk and traditional backup software fools it into thinking a disk drive is actually tape, thereby allowing companies to install disk-based backup without having to overhaul current backup infrastructure, potentially costing millions.

Exhibit D: CF

Also known as coalescence of de-duplication, commonality factoring (CF) technology seeks to reduce the amount of data backed up from the start, in order to speed backup and recovery times of the remaining data.

The concept works this way: say a colleague e-mails out a PowerPoint attachment to 10 co-workers. Most backup systems would back up all 10 instances of the attachment, even though the data is redundant. Software that uses commonality factoring, however, only saves the changes that have been made to each instance. So if only one slide was changed, that's what gets backed up out of that instance. Once an initial backup is completed, only new data needs to be written.

Remember, once initial backup system planning has been completed, IT managers can evaluate the technologies that can best help them reach their backup goals. For more information on various backup technologies, contact ebackup Inc.

The Best Backup Solution

ebackup's Rapid Recovery software provides a simple fully automated and fully scalable, cost effective, yet robust and secure data protection solution, supporting clients from small businesses to enterprise scale corporations. We can help you develop a solid Disaster Recovery Plan as well as provide you with the technology tools to make it happen as easily and securely as possible.

For further information or assistance, please contact an ebackup representative:

Address

ebackup Inc. Tel: (403) 259-3620

401 Forge Road SE Fax: (403) 259-3628

Calgary, Alberta, CANADA Toll Free: 1-877-259-3620

T2H 0S9

email: info@ebackupinc.com