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IT and Data Center Infrastructure energy and environmental topics are at the forefront for IT professionals across the globe. From power and cooling to performance and availability there are countless metrics used to analyze the data center and server closest to maximize value and minimize costs.
Do you have a unique story or special insight into the green movement in the IT world? Visit www.greeendatastorage.com to learn more and share your own success stories with the rest of the IT industry.
Do you have a solution or technology or a success story that you would like to share with us pertaining to data storage and server I/O energy optimization strategies? Do you need assistance in developing, validating or reviewing your strategy or story?
Send an email to: green@storageio.com or call 651-275-1563 to learn more about green data storage and server I/O or to schedule a briefing to tell us about your energy efficiency and effectiveness story pertaining to IT data centers and data infrastructures.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Inside Look at the New DR Kit from ioSafe
We've just got the inside look at the disaster recovery kit from ioSafe hardware. Enclosed in one of the toughest (read; military spec.) and durable black pelican case enclosures you can get your hands on you can rest assured that your data recovery procedures and operations can withstand any punishment you can dish out.
With spare hard drives that are waterproof, recovery tools and a complete RAID array to get your server data up and running in no time flat these Disaster Recovery kits are definitely made for enterprise recovery. For more details you can visit www.iosafe.com or www.hddfiresafe.com
USB Drives
One of the best features of an ioSafe USB External Hard Drive devices is that you can simply plug and play with USB 2.0 directly into your computer or server. It is also possible to mirror this backup system to all of your workstations and share the fire resistant hard drive amongst all of your computers. With ioSafe you can easily add another dimension to your existing data backup plan. Most people are getting better at making backup copies of client information, accounting records and customer databases, however the idea of a fireproof hard drive is somewhat of a new concept in the world of storage. You'll find that these drives are the perfect external storage solution with the best in functionality and adaptability.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Disaster Recovery Tool Kits
No matter if you are recovering data from a crashed server, PC computer hard drive or serious disaster such as fire or flood, it's important to have a contingency plan for reducing the amount of time your hardware or servers are down. Proper planning means redundant data locations (off site and on-site) to prevent data loss that is critical to your business operations.Most on site businesses data backup plans mean that data is stored in more than one location on the individual computer workstation. This includes redundancy on file servers, email servers and external hard drives. A solid plan for knowing where data is located and how to restore both software applications, client information and financial records can mean the difference between a few hours of downtime and a few days. Take time today to consider how your business would function without your computer systems and you'll be happy you have invested in a business continuity plan.
Field Replacement DR Kits - Tools of the Trade
Disaster recovery kits with internal computer hardware components enable the IT engineer and technician to quickly upgrade or replace failed components to network attached storage servers and USB RAID drives in the field. The ability to quickly react and correct downed servers, computers or data centers is a very important part of business continuity. Minimizing the recovery time is of great importance for large enterprise businesses with multiple locations. E.g. Retail chain with several stores across one or more cities.
A mobile Disaster Recovery kit will minimize downtime and enable far better recovery time objectives. Again, proper planning and outfitting service vehicles with tools, spare parts and data recovery equipment is a business critical element that should be considered by every CTO and CIO.
To learn more about disaster recovery and business continuity planning please visit the following websites;
http://www.entrepreneur.com/technology/gear/article174670.html
http://www.iosafe.com
http://www.seagate.com
http://www.infrant.com
Friday, January 11, 2008
Off Site Tape Backup Strategies
Tape backup planning and strategies are a very important part of business continuity and data disaster recovery. From an archival standpoint, tapes offer a convenient method of storage and small footprint for storing offsite or in a fire resistant media safe.
While tape backup does have advantages, there are many cons to tape backup drives and removable media that should be taken into consideration when planning your strategy.
Disadvantages
First of all, tape backup includes a variety of security risks including employee theft, loss, broken tapes due to operator error. Mitigating these data security risks by automating the backup process is a common approach, often using disk based backup to automate the process.
Secondly, the operational recovery from tape has long been in debate. Several research studies suggest that recovery from tapes is not as easy as it seems. Testing tapes to verify that data is recoverable often causes damage to the tape itself rendering it useless for recovery.
The costs associate with a daily, weekly and even monthly tape backup strategy approach $60,000 per business location, per year. While these costs are often unavoidable (especially for large enterprises) there are several new hardware solutions that will both mitigate the data security risks as well as strengthen disaster recovery plans.
New Methods and Approaches
Supplementing or augmenting an off site tape backup strategy with a hard disk or NAS storage server system is quickly becoming the standard. For companies that have already invested heavily into their tape drive systems, replacing new hardware and equipment is usually not feasible in the short term. However, supplementing the tape drive backup with a fire resistant and waterproof hard drive or NAS storage system provides several advantages to a single backup approach.
Deploying ioSafe hardware in an off site or on site tape backup environment provides immediate advantages over traditional tape backup.
Tape and Disk Backup Advantages
Mitigating data security risks - installing ioSafe hardware means you will now be able to automate the backup process and remove the human element from your backup strategy. Human error accounts for more data loss than any other risk. Tape backup means that your IT staff, or other employees must rotate, change, and store backup tapes.
Data recovery and verification from disk has proven time and again that RPO and RTO can be achieved to an "up to the point of disaster." With ioSafe data storage hardware you'll be able to recover your data from today, not last night's tape or last week's data.
When it comes to ROI (return on investment) and overall costs associated with data backup, combining a disk based system means you'll save more money. Even if you still need to do a tape archive of your data, you can now reduce from a daily tape rotation to a weekly - reducing costs of staff as well as equipment.
This belts and suspenders approach to off site tape backup has many advantages for both small and large businesses. As you reevaluate your on site backup plan and your offsite strategy, consider deploying ioSafe technology. After all, data backup is like an insurance policy... how much coverage do you need??
While tape backup does have advantages, there are many cons to tape backup drives and removable media that should be taken into consideration when planning your strategy.
Disadvantages
First of all, tape backup includes a variety of security risks including employee theft, loss, broken tapes due to operator error. Mitigating these data security risks by automating the backup process is a common approach, often using disk based backup to automate the process.
Secondly, the operational recovery from tape has long been in debate. Several research studies suggest that recovery from tapes is not as easy as it seems. Testing tapes to verify that data is recoverable often causes damage to the tape itself rendering it useless for recovery.
The costs associate with a daily, weekly and even monthly tape backup strategy approach $60,000 per business location, per year. While these costs are often unavoidable (especially for large enterprises) there are several new hardware solutions that will both mitigate the data security risks as well as strengthen disaster recovery plans.
New Methods and Approaches
Supplementing or augmenting an off site tape backup strategy with a hard disk or NAS storage server system is quickly becoming the standard. For companies that have already invested heavily into their tape drive systems, replacing new hardware and equipment is usually not feasible in the short term. However, supplementing the tape drive backup with a fire resistant and waterproof hard drive or NAS storage system provides several advantages to a single backup approach.
Deploying ioSafe hardware in an off site or on site tape backup environment provides immediate advantages over traditional tape backup.
Tape and Disk Backup Advantages
Mitigating data security risks - installing ioSafe hardware means you will now be able to automate the backup process and remove the human element from your backup strategy. Human error accounts for more data loss than any other risk. Tape backup means that your IT staff, or other employees must rotate, change, and store backup tapes.
Data recovery and verification from disk has proven time and again that RPO and RTO can be achieved to an "up to the point of disaster." With ioSafe data storage hardware you'll be able to recover your data from today, not last night's tape or last week's data.
When it comes to ROI (return on investment) and overall costs associated with data backup, combining a disk based system means you'll save more money. Even if you still need to do a tape archive of your data, you can now reduce from a daily tape rotation to a weekly - reducing costs of staff as well as equipment.
This belts and suspenders approach to off site tape backup has many advantages for both small and large businesses. As you reevaluate your on site backup plan and your offsite strategy, consider deploying ioSafe technology. After all, data backup is like an insurance policy... how much coverage do you need??
Monday, January 7, 2008
Best Wishes for 2008 Data Storage
As the new year blooms here at our office I am thankful for many things. I have a great job, work with some very great people and have the opportunity to grow with this business. All of my efforts here benefit the entire company, which in turn creates a better future for myself and those around me. For 2008 I created a list that includes some of my favorite pieces of hardware / software and several "wish list" items that I think every technology lover would like to have :)
1) Sophisticated design elements to otherwise bland data storage. Lacie continues to lead the pack and push the envelope of product design when it comes to hard disk drives. From the new Neil Poulton designed USB external drive to the golden disk and lego blocks, business and home digital data storage has never looked so good!
2) Email spam blocker that is easy on the wallet!
Google offers a great spam filtering service for your personal or business email accounts and so does FuseMail.com
3) For the growing enterprise business that needs a belt and suspenders data backup device I like the Disk to Disk to Tape devices from Breece Hill. If you have never heard of this company, they are certainly worth the consideration as you make your storage plans for this new year.
4) Small business Internal or External RAID systems from Accordance Systems
I recently learned about Accordance RAID storage controllers while researching the web for a cost effective solution for a small business client. The ARAID provides small office and home office (SOHO) users with the same level of data protection traditionally only available in large enterprise environments at a fraction of the cost!
5) Off site tape backup supplement from ioSafe data storage hardware.
For business data that needs the best data recovery protection an ioSafe solution installed at your off site or on site facility will ensure broader business continuity protection in the event of a data disaster.
6) Xbox 360 or Nintendo Wii with Guitar Hero III
Okay, this has nothing to do with data storage, but in your spare time away from the office it's great fun to let your inner rock star shine! If you have never played this game before you should at least try the demo at your local retailer - so much fun!
1) Sophisticated design elements to otherwise bland data storage. Lacie continues to lead the pack and push the envelope of product design when it comes to hard disk drives. From the new Neil Poulton designed USB external drive to the golden disk and lego blocks, business and home digital data storage has never looked so good!
2) Email spam blocker that is easy on the wallet!
Google offers a great spam filtering service for your personal or business email accounts and so does FuseMail.com
3) For the growing enterprise business that needs a belt and suspenders data backup device I like the Disk to Disk to Tape devices from Breece Hill. If you have never heard of this company, they are certainly worth the consideration as you make your storage plans for this new year.
4) Small business Internal or External RAID systems from Accordance Systems
I recently learned about Accordance RAID storage controllers while researching the web for a cost effective solution for a small business client. The ARAID provides small office and home office (SOHO) users with the same level of data protection traditionally only available in large enterprise environments at a fraction of the cost!
5) Off site tape backup supplement from ioSafe data storage hardware.
For business data that needs the best data recovery protection an ioSafe solution installed at your off site or on site facility will ensure broader business continuity protection in the event of a data disaster.
6) Xbox 360 or Nintendo Wii with Guitar Hero III
Okay, this has nothing to do with data storage, but in your spare time away from the office it's great fun to let your inner rock star shine! If you have never played this game before you should at least try the demo at your local retailer - so much fun!
Digital Asset Storage for your business
The storage and easy access of digital data and intellectual property for businesses is a crucial element to daily operations and business longevity. Long term digital asset storage on hard disk drives is increasingly popular as storage requirements for even the smallest business are on the increase, while the cost of storage continues to drop.
Maintaining a solid backup plan and strategy for recovery are key elements for any business. One often overlooked aspect is recovery from fire, flood and water damage. ioSafe hardware is unique in that you can backup and storage your digital data into a fireproof USB drive or network attached storage device with the same ease as any other external hardware.
While the costs for fire proof protection are much greater than traditional data storage you will rest assured that your data can be recovered even if the unthinkable happens - a real world fire or flood disaster.
Maintaining a solid backup plan and strategy for recovery are key elements for any business. One often overlooked aspect is recovery from fire, flood and water damage. ioSafe hardware is unique in that you can backup and storage your digital data into a fireproof USB drive or network attached storage device with the same ease as any other external hardware.
While the costs for fire proof protection are much greater than traditional data storage you will rest assured that your data can be recovered even if the unthinkable happens - a real world fire or flood disaster.
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