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Easy to use, easy on the budget
For a complete system that can be used as a file server or home media server check out the bundled ioSafe internal hard drives with the Drobo or ReadyNAS network attached storage systems.
NAS Fire Safe Systems
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
NAS Drives vs. USB Hard Disk Drives
What are the differences between USB drives and Network storage drives? Which is the best hard drive for you?
On the most elemental level, the USB drive simply plugs into a USB 2.0 port on your computer, laptop or server and allows you to back up data directly to the device. This is often called a direct attached storage device. On the other hand a NAS system or drive plugs into your computer or router and can be seen as additional storage by all computers on the network, thus the name Network attached storage.
When it comes to data transfer speeds there are some significant differences between each type of drive and system. USB 2.0 systems average about a 60 - 80 mb/s data transfer rate. This depends on the true connection speed and whether you are in a read mode, write mode or a read/write mode. NAS drives can transfer data up to 1 GB minute. Most of these drives have a 10/100/1000 Mb Ethernet interface allowing for rapid transfer of data across the network. These speeds will of course slow down if you are using a wireless connection.
If you or your business has already invested into a file server then it may be best to attach a USB drive or system directly to the server. Using the fireproof USB from ioSafe will quickly give you extra redundancy and fire and waterproof protection. Another option would be to purchase fire resistant internal hard drives and simply install them inside your existing server or USB storage array.
Another option that offers the most data redundancy and protection would be to bundle a DROBO NAS system or Netgear ReadyNAS. These complete systems start at price points that are very attractive and offer the most bang for the buck when it comes to the small business budget.
For businesses that are looking for common sense answers to seemingly difficult storage questions, let the experts offer you some advice...ask questions, ask for options!
On the most elemental level, the USB drive simply plugs into a USB 2.0 port on your computer, laptop or server and allows you to back up data directly to the device. This is often called a direct attached storage device. On the other hand a NAS system or drive plugs into your computer or router and can be seen as additional storage by all computers on the network, thus the name Network attached storage.
When it comes to data transfer speeds there are some significant differences between each type of drive and system. USB 2.0 systems average about a 60 - 80 mb/s data transfer rate. This depends on the true connection speed and whether you are in a read mode, write mode or a read/write mode. NAS drives can transfer data up to 1 GB minute. Most of these drives have a 10/100/1000 Mb Ethernet interface allowing for rapid transfer of data across the network. These speeds will of course slow down if you are using a wireless connection.
If you or your business has already invested into a file server then it may be best to attach a USB drive or system directly to the server. Using the fireproof USB from ioSafe will quickly give you extra redundancy and fire and waterproof protection. Another option would be to purchase fire resistant internal hard drives and simply install them inside your existing server or USB storage array.
Another option that offers the most data redundancy and protection would be to bundle a DROBO NAS system or Netgear ReadyNAS. These complete systems start at price points that are very attractive and offer the most bang for the buck when it comes to the small business budget.
For businesses that are looking for common sense answers to seemingly difficult storage questions, let the experts offer you some advice...ask questions, ask for options!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Storage Server for Business
Business data backup and storage consists of several key components including storage capacity, budget, security and integrity of data, reliability of the storage device and digital asset growth.
In today's work office environment a storage server offers many benefits that can help you achieve your goals for smooth IT operations as well as a productive shared network environment. There are several options for putting together your network storage server to ensure low costs, a beneficial return on investment (ROI) as well as reliability and high availability of your vital digital data.
For the large enterprise one must first do a backup strategy cost analysis to compare removable tape backup media versus disk based systems. Key factors here include the risk for human error (the number one cause of data loss) and mitigating these risks by automating the backup process. Other important factors are data compliance issues (HIPAA, SOX, etc) and WAN congestion for off site backup. The ability to archive and the scalability of data must also be considered. If you are archiving hundreds of terabytes as part of your requirements, a boat load of DLT or LTO tapes is hard to beat. Even though disk-based archival costs are dropping rapidly, tape based options still represent probably your best archiving value.
An off site plan such as electronic vaulting online is considered by many to represent the worst solution for long-term archiving, especially if you're paying third-party monthly fees based on the amount of data stored. Online data backup strategies are very limited in archive and scalability due to high-speed connectivity costs and the cost per GB charged by third-party data centers. These costs continue to climb with each passing year.
Every company will face its own unique challenges to backup, store and protect its digital data assets. Make sure you take convenience, reliability, data transfer and backup speeds and the security of your data all into consideration.
In today's work office environment a storage server offers many benefits that can help you achieve your goals for smooth IT operations as well as a productive shared network environment. There are several options for putting together your network storage server to ensure low costs, a beneficial return on investment (ROI) as well as reliability and high availability of your vital digital data.
For the large enterprise one must first do a backup strategy cost analysis to compare removable tape backup media versus disk based systems. Key factors here include the risk for human error (the number one cause of data loss) and mitigating these risks by automating the backup process. Other important factors are data compliance issues (HIPAA, SOX, etc) and WAN congestion for off site backup. The ability to archive and the scalability of data must also be considered. If you are archiving hundreds of terabytes as part of your requirements, a boat load of DLT or LTO tapes is hard to beat. Even though disk-based archival costs are dropping rapidly, tape based options still represent probably your best archiving value.
An off site plan such as electronic vaulting online is considered by many to represent the worst solution for long-term archiving, especially if you're paying third-party monthly fees based on the amount of data stored. Online data backup strategies are very limited in archive and scalability due to high-speed connectivity costs and the cost per GB charged by third-party data centers. These costs continue to climb with each passing year.
Every company will face its own unique challenges to backup, store and protect its digital data assets. Make sure you take convenience, reliability, data transfer and backup speeds and the security of your data all into consideration.
Monday, June 9, 2008
ioSafe 3.5 Internal Hard Drives
ioSafe has released their fireproof hard drives for the internal storage market. Aptly named the ioSafe Pilot and ioSafe Squadron series, these 3.5" internal hard drives are waterproof and can be installed inside any Windows or Linux storage server or computer PC, Mac workstation or storage array.
Available as both SATA I or SATA II disk drives with 5400 rpm or 7200 rpm the 3.5" form factor can withstand a 1400 Degree F fire and complete immersion in water during a flood or fire sprinkler data disaster. Utilizing the patented FloSafe air cooled design these drives are engineered for maximum reliability to backup, store and protect your business data or digital media assets such as photos, video, mp3 or similar files. The patent pending MirrorGuard reflective coating also helps prevent damage to data on the internal hard disk.
Compatible with servers, desktop computers, storage arrays and external hard drive enclosures or USB RAID storage devices you can easily easily beef up your home media server, CCTV or DVR video system in no time flat.
The price tag for the ioSafe 3.5 drives start right at $329.00 and offer up to 320 GB of data storage. You can learn more online at http://www.hddfiresafe.com or www.iosafe.com
ioSafe 3.5 hard drive storage hardware is poised to make a huge impact on the storage market.
Monday, May 5, 2008
How to use a USB hard drive as a NAS device
Any external USB drive can be used as a network storage appliance. There are several advantages with regards to sharing on multiple computer workstations but there are many sacrifices in access speeds for reading and writing data that can make the USB drive difficult to use. Reading and writing speeds averaged between 10 - 13 Mbps. Patience is the key.
Linksys makes the NSLU2 which runs Linux. There are two USB 2.0 ports, and a wired ethernet port so that you can run two devices on your network. Simply load the installation CD and you'll be up and running in a matter of minutes.
The NSLU2 comes standard with a one-year warranty AND the Linksys Web site is full of support material, drivers, updates, and firmware.
My office used this Linksys device with our ioSafe fireproof USB external drive and had some great success for backing up data. We have since upgraded to a NAS appliance and no longer have the need for the Linksys device.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Hybrid Hard Drives
Many businesses need a backup hard drive that combines ease of use with data recovery features in one single "hybrid" product. ioSafe hardware delivers you the best in hybrid hard drive technology combining fire safe protection with waterproof and flood proof design, ensuring your data can be recovered no matter how simple or severe the disaster might be.
Using the best in standard hard drives from Seagate(R) technologies, ioSafe combines enterprise class 7200 rpm hard drives inside a fireproof safe with FloSAFE air cooled technology. This allows for the best reliability from the industry standard in hard drive engineering and technology.
The Importance of Air Cooling
The topic of air cooling of computer servers and hard drives probably doesn't need to beat into the ground more than it already has been...however there is still much education that needs to be done with respect to operating temperatures during normal day to day activities in the server room or closet.
The bottom line is, heat is the number one enemy of hard drives. Reliability is of the greatest importance when it comes to recovering data. With that said, choose a fireproof hard drive that allows for proper cooling of the hard drives and electronics, yet still maintains superior fire and flood protection.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
USB RAID Drive from ioSafe Hardware
ioSafe has just released their new USB RAID backup device called the S2. Capacities for this USB Hard Disk system is up to 2TB with a RAID 0/1. The storage capacity is far greater than your traditional external drive from the retail store shelf. In todays business world external drives are a necessary part of the modern office and easier to maintain than CD or DVD backup. Keep in mind that you can easily replace tape backup drives (LTO, DLT, VXG, 4mm) with an ioSafe system and become more efficient while saving money.The USB external drive features two removable hard drives that are also lockable for physical data security. If a hard drive fails on the unit an audible alarm will sound to notify you that a disk needs replaced. As with all ioSafe hardware you get a data storage device that is fireproof and waterproof like an aircraft black box. One of the most dynamic features of this USB RAID device is that it has airflow cooling (a key differentiator from similar products) to ensure true business class reliability.
Other standard features are a 3 year warranty and $5,000 per disk data recovery service. Getting an extra $10,000 insurance policy for your digital data is certainly priceless. It's been said before... 'You can be replaced, your data cannot.'
For more information visit http://www.hddfiresafe.com
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