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Account Manager
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Exabyte StorageLoader LTO-2
Reduce administration hassles with an autoloader that can store up to 8 data cartridges, uses minimal power and delivers low total cost of ownership (TCO)
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CA XOsoft™ WANsync™HA Standard
Get high availability and automated failover from host-based, asynchronous, real-time replication that transfers changes to data as they occur
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Imation LTO Ultrium 2 tape cartridge with case
These tapes feature rugged construction, large capacity, fast transfer rates and a patented, 3-piece spool design for precision performance
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Be prepared to recover from any interruption, be it a power surge or a hurricane
When it comes to business continuity, it's critical to plan for quick data recovery. Because business interruptions come from different sources and can vary in length, you need to plan for access to data in both long-term and short-term scenarios. In the event of a disaster, you might even need to move your core operations to another location.
Clusters provide continuity and scalability
Clustering software gives you failover for short-term failures. Clustering allows you to collect and store data across multiple servers and also gives you the ability to segregate mission-critical processes from CPU-intensive analysis. This, in turn, ensures optimal resource allocation, prioritization and availability.
A clustered environment is highly available since there are at least two servers in your configuration. If one server goes down, clustering software seamlessly transfers the load from the downed server to the other server. And as you add more servers, you get the benefit of additional performance and availability. You also have investment protection since you don't have to design your initial configuration for peak capacity, which could leave a lot of computing power unutilized.
Restore to a specific point in time with continuous data protection (CDP)
Traditional backup methods go a long way to ensure business continuity. However, as businesses become more dependent on an ever-increasing amount of data, two things have changed. First, traditional tape equipment sometimes requires an unacceptable amount of time to perform backups. Second, the process of recovering data from tapes can take several hours or even days. After a server or electrical failure, the last thing you need is a lengthy data recovery period.
With the adoption of CDP, the window of potential loss can be reduced from the length of your current backup interval to less than one minute. The concept behind CDP is pretty straightforward. You run a CDP solution either in the form of software, hardware or a combination of both. CDP solutions capture and record every change to data in real time at the block or file level, depending on your solution. When a data restore is necessary, you can restore to any point in time prior to a disruption.
Near-CDP is for businesses that don’t need a backup of every data change but would lose significant amounts of data when on a daily backup schedule. Near-CDP storage can be configured to automatically conduct backups at specific intervals throughout the day.
CDP’s role in data backup
It's important to remember that CDP does not replace replication and mirroring solutions. It is an enhancement to your existing backup program. Tape and disk backups still have their place in your data storage and protection regimen. Data that is relatively static or non-mission critical doesn't benefit as much from CDP. And when it comes to offsite data storage, tape or disk solutions are still the best.
Backup sites protect you from long-term interruptions
If you are fortunate enough to already have a second site, you can better utilize it by spreading a portion of your server infrastructure to that site. By moving some of your existing equipment to the backup site, you can use it for failover purposes if the equipment at your main site gets damaged by a flood or fire, for instance.
The fact is that most businesses cannot afford to have two sites, one of which sits idle in anticipation of a disaster. If you cannot afford a second site for business continuity, you might consider purchasing a continuity service. Several vendors offer fee-based access to facilities they own, furnish and maintain with equipment. If you generate most of your revenue through IP-based systems, the cost of access to a continuity service's site could be insignificant compared to the losses you'd experience during a complete shutdown.
The benefit of using a third-party site is that you don't have to purchase and maintain the site and all its equipment. Depending on the level of failover you want, some vendors will provide instantaneous failover and management of your equipment as if it were their data center.
Experts recommend that your backup site be at least 100 miles away from your primary site. You should locate your backup site far enough away that it would never be affected by the same disaster as your primary site. Don't forget that wherever your backup site is, you will need a reliable link to it. In addition to a T1 line for heavy throughput, you will also want to make sure your site has backup power and remote management capability.
CDW can help you determine the specific mix of data recovery products and services while minimizing expense and the amount of time you spend managing equipment.
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Steps to choosing
a continuity service provider
1. Visit the provider's Web site to see if they list the addresses of all their data centers. This information should not be readily available to the public.
2. Be sure the provider's virtual tour is nothing more than a cursory glance at their operational design. Design schematics or space layouts shouldn't be on the Web for everyone to view.
3. Providers that own their facilities and don't share them with other tenants are generally more safe.
4. If the provider is located in a multi-tenant facility, be aware of who the other tenants are and whether your data will be sharing rack space with them.
5. Make sure the provider has their own security plan, policies and procedures, and that they monitor their own physical systems.
6. Ask for the opportunity to evaluate the provider's disaster recovery plan.
7. Consider hiring a security consultant to provide a one-time physical security risk assessment of the provider's facility.
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CDW Leasing
CDW offers four different leasing terms with three end-of-lease options. CDW leasing specialists are available to assist with quotes, account information or any questions that you have. To learn more, contact your CDW account manager today.
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