The explosion of data in the enterprise over the last few years has created huge problems for enterprises. Not only must all this data be stored, but increasingly strict compliance regulations dictate that files must also be easily retrievable.
But theres a problem: conventional servers and network attached storage (NAS) devices are inherently inflexible. They have fixed performance and capacity limits so that when demand grows beyond those limits, an additional server or NAS device has to be installed. This ultimately leads to multiple, isolated islands of storage, each of which must be individually managed, backed up and maintained. The resulting costs in terms of additional software, hardware and personnel can be excessive.
The ONStor SAN Filer simplifies enterprise-wide file management by eliminating islands of storage. It pools the storage and processing resources, which allows capacity and performance to grow independently in response to changing requirements.
The SAN Filer offers the freedom of flexible, multi-device open storage. Like conventional NAS, the SAN Filer serves data to Windows, Linux and Unix clients and servers on the LAN. But ONStor goes beyond NAS by letting users choose the storage thats right for them. Storage can be deployed from a variety of vendors, including IBM, EMC, Hitachi, 3PAR and HP/Compaq. Further, users can make the most of their existing SAN, or directly connect to the storage that best meets their needs.
Enterprise-wide file storage consolidation naturally demands the highest level of reliability, and the SAN Filer architecture addresses this with several technologies that enhance availability. SAN Filer Pooling for example allows workload to be easily migrated among Filers, either automatically or under administrator control, ensuring continuous uptime.
The SAN Filer also incorporates data protection and availability features such as DataSnap, a standard feature that generates point-in-time images at administrator-defined intervals for easy roll-back in time. For data redundancy, the optional Data Mirror application software replicates selected data, including DataSnap images, between multiple arrays for continuous data backup and instant data restore. ONStors combination of high system availability and comprehensive data protection delivers continuous data availability.
Main elements of the ONStor solution:
ONStor SF4400 SAN Filer: Provides file-level services to Windows and UNIX clients and servers on the LAN, while maintaining block-level data on the SAN.
ONStor High Availability application software: Provides automated failover for continuous system availability. Multiple levels of redundancy make 99.999% uptime a reality.
ONStor SAN Filer Manager application software: Provides a single point of management to view SAN Filer configurations, storage utilisation statistics, throughput analysis, and backup status reports.
Storage Area Network: Industry-standard SAN-attached disk arrays, tape libraries, and switch infrastructure provide storage for SAN Filers. SAN Filers boost overall return by making the most out of existing SAN investments.
Industry standard backup software: SAN filers are NDMP compliant, and are proven compatible with most backup software applications.
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