Using Server-to-Server Synchronization with Snap Servers for Near-line Backup

Challenge

Is Your Backup Data Available For Quick and Easy Retrieval?
Using tape for near-line backup does not provide quick data access in the event of a server crash. Restores from tape are time-consuming, leading to delays and reduced productivity among users.
Solution
Use Snap Servers for Near-line Backup of Your Data
  • Snap Servers used in conjunction with Server-to-Server Synchronization (S2S) SnapExtension software provide an alternative solution for near-line backup that will allow you to retrieve your data quickly in the event of a server failure
  • The S2S software allows one backup Snap Server to synchronize its contents to one or more source Snap Servers
  • Should one source server ever fail, users can directly access the data on the synchronized backup server until a replacement server is installed, which helps minimize delays and lost productivity

Benefit

Provides Time-to-Data Advantage in the Event of a Server Failure
  • Data is retrievable from any networked client over the Internet
  • Quick restore times—little downtime or loss of productivity
  • Synchronizations performed behind a switch reduce network traffic

Equipment

  • Two or more Snap Servers
  • Two or more licensed copies of S2S

How It Works

  • The S2S SnapExtension allows one Snap Server to sync its contents to one or more other Snap Servers. The S2S SnapExtension utilizes the Java™ technology in the optional Jeode™ Application Environment for Snap Server Products. The Snap Server 12000, Snap Server 4100, Snap Server 2200 and Snap Server 2000 support the S2S SnapExtension. Each copy of the S2S SnapExtension requires a unique license.
  • Synchronizations can be done immediately or on a scheduled basis. The initial synchronization creates a share level copy of all files and directories on the destination Snap Server(s). Subsequent synchronizations will copy only those files that have been modified since the last synchronization. Since some third party applications may lock file access, synchronizations should be scheduled during off hours. The S2S SnapExtension is strictly a one-way sync with a designated source and destination. Any files that are deleted on the source server will be deleted from the destination server(s) during subsequent synchronizations.

Disaster Recovery

Q. Do you have a disaster recovery strategy for your business critical data in case of a disaster such as a flood, fire or earthquake?
A. Using the S2S SnapExtension software to backup data to a Snap Server could be the solution for you. The copy of your data can be located on or off site for disaster recovery. Should the source server fail, data on the destination server can be accessed directly until a replacement server becomes available.

Evaluating the Alternatives

Q. What about performance/network traffic?
A.  Snap performance is comparable to an NT file server. To ensure optimal performance, it is preferable to locate the Snap Servers behind a switch. After the initial synchronization, subsequent synchronizations only copy new or changed files that results in reduced network traffic.

Q. Why not backup to tape?
A.  S2S synchronizations are less time consuming than tape backups:

  • Tape is slower and data retrieval is sequential
  • Tape does not allow for quick data access
  • Snap Servers are more cost-efficient