Data protection, backup and archiving

Block vs file for Hyper-V and VMware storage: Which is better?

Is block- or file-based storage better for Hyper-V and VMware virtual server environments? The answer depends on the precise needs of your virtual server environment. Continue Reading

By

• Chris Evans

Backing up virtual servers vs physical servers

Find out about the differences between backing up virtual servers vs physical servers, best practices in virtual server backup and how to avoid crash-consistent database backups. Continue Reading

Backup appliance: Backup software and hardware in one box

A backup appliance provides the backup app, processing power and disk to give all you need for SMB or branch office backup pre-packaged into one easy-to-manage box. Continue Reading

By

• Chris Evans

Synchronous vs asynchronous replication: Order of events during data writes

Learn about the order of events during data writes in synchronous vs asynchronous replication. Continue Reading

By

• Steve Pinder, GlassHouse Technologies

Remote replication: Comparing data replication methods

Learn how remote replication fits into a disaster recovery plan, as well as the various data replication methods available, such as host-based, array-based and network-based replication. Continue Reading

How virtual machine backup differs from traditional backup

Virtual machine backup can be accomplished with traditional backup tools but can be better effected with snapshots and dedicated virtual server backup products. Continue Reading

Snapshot technology: The role of snapshots in today's backup environments

We've collected our top resources on snapshot technology. Gain more insight on snapshots before you decide to use them in place of your data backup system. Continue Reading

HDS and EMC's unified plans ridiculed by 3Par, Pillar, NetApp labelled "NotApp"

The storage blogosphere has adopted some wonderfully plain speech to describe the current mania for "unified storage" as EMC, HDS, NetApp, Pillar and 3Par sound off. Continue Reading

By

• Simon Sharwood

Managing enterprise data storage more efficiently: Part 1

Storage managers must learn to improve storage efficiency though smarter spending, while taking steps to reduce operating expenditures during budget crunches. Continue Reading

By

• Beth Pariseau, Senior News Writer

NAS Backup: What are my options?

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By

• Brian Sakovitch, Symantec

Incremental vs. differential backup: A comparison

In this Storage Basics on incremental vs differential backup, we explore the benefits and drawbacks of each of these backup strategies Continue Reading

By

• Antony Adshead, Storage Editor

Podcast: Data deduplication on primary storage

What should a storage administrator know before using data deduplication on primary storage? Eric Burgener, senior analyst and consultant at the Taneja Group, discusses the impact data deduplication on primary storage will have and the things to consider before using it. Continue Reading

NetApp dedupes data on rivals' primary storage

NetApp extends its free data deduplication to its V-Series gateways, making it possible for its customers to dedupe their primary storage. But users say what's missing is a GUI and data dedupe for VTLs. Continue Reading

By

• Beth Pariseau, Senior News Writer

SNW Roundup: Sun adds data deduplication to VTL

Sun comes out with VTL Prime, a virtual tape library with FalconStor's data deduplication; Attune gets into file archiving; and SGI, Fujitsu and Dot Hill launch storage systems. Continue Reading

By

• Dave Raffo

Disk-based backup vs. tape

Get advice on choosing disk versus tape for small businesses. Continue Reading

By

• W. Curtis Preston

CDP platform purchase considerations

Busy IT organizations are employing continuous data protection (CDP) technologies to guard data on the fly, essentially eliminating the backup window and allowing granular file and system restoration -- sometimes down to the individual disk write operation. Several CDP appliances are available, but many are implemented in software, and all require careful consideration before purchase. This article focuses on the specific purchase considerations for CDP products. Continue Reading

Gartner: Existing business continuity plans will fail in a pandemic

Existing business continuity plans will not protect a company during an avian flu pandemic, says a Gartner analyst. Business continuity plans assume a geographically specific disaster, while a pandemic will strike everywhere nearly simultaneously. Continue Reading

By

• Shamus McGillicuddy, Enterprise Management Associates

CDP overview

Storage volumes are growing at an alarming pace, and tape-based backups are not always possible within an available backup window. Today's businesses are increasingly focused on tighter RTO and RPO. Faster restorations and more recent recovery points that minimize the threat of lost data. Disk storage technologies are systematically replacing tape, spawning specialized storage systems that bring better performance and reliability to the backup process. One emerging data protection technology that has attracted significant attention is CDP. Continue Reading

By

• Stephen J. Bigelow, Senior Technology Editor

CDP: Super snapshots -- eventually

This tip details two different definitions of CDP, the offerings from vendors in each camp and how continuous data protection differs from snapshots. Continue Reading

By

• Rick Cook

How to create a business continuity plan

In today's business environment, the only acceptable data loss is none at all. Find out how to create a business continuity plan that really works. Continue Reading

By

• Doug Owens, ScaleMatrix

Pros and cons of remote mirroring for DR

Remote mirroring takes place over MAN or WAN distances. It's usually between storage arrays or storage appliances, and can be synchronous or asynchronous. Continue Reading

By

• Marc Staimer, Dragon Slayer Consulting

Pros and cons of disk-to-disk backup

Some of the characteristics of disk-to-disk can make it a poor choice for your only form of backup. Continue Reading

By

• Rick Cook