Storage Methods That Prepare You for the Worst (Continued)

Step 3: Accommodating data replication in heterogeneous storage environments

Heterogeneous operating environments have historically caused problems in effective data backup processes. In such environments, host- or appliance-based data replication involves movement of data between one vendor's primary storage and another vendor's secondary storage (think: the accounts receivable of one business and the invoices received of another). Solutions used for heterogeneous data replication typically involve multiple data copying processes, in which the software converts block data to files for transport over IP networks.

Using new storage over IP technologies, you can combine disk-to-disk and disk-to-tape copying to achieve a successful backup. Key protocols used in this process include Fibre Channel over IP (FCIP), which tunnels data replication traffic within a WAN link, and Internet Fibre Channel Protocol (iFCP), which routes storage in a native IP format. This latter protocol also enables fault isolation between connected SANs to ensure that no data is lost in the backup over longer distances.

There are features you will need to ensure the full optimization of available WAN bandwidth to perform data replication via a Storage over IP setup. These include optimized buffering, data compression, support for jumbo frames, and the use of technologies such as Nishan Systems' Fast Write Algorithm. These will allow for disaster recovery to be extended up to hundreds or thousands of miles, making null and void the 10-kilometer limit that used to be imposed by Fibre Channel extensions.

And if your budget is limited because of your status as a small- or medium-sized business, the use of affordable and available IP network services will allow you to take advantage of a disaster recovery strategy using Storage over IP.

Plan to Play It Safe
According to Contingency Planning Research, retail brokerage and credit card firms will lose an estimated $6.45 million and $2.6 million per hour, respectively, in the event of a disaster. Even if you operate a small business, the numbers can be just as astounding and damaging, and you could be put out of business if you don't develop a sound disaster recovery strategy, and follow through with the right architecture and solutions that will best serve your business.

Using storage virtualization, mirroring, and replication techniques should be the nucleus of your plan, but you should also follow the other suggestions outlined here to ensure that business downtime never occurs, even in the event of a catastrophic disaster.

About the Author
Nils Odhner is a Senior Editor and Analyst at Faulkner Information Services, an IT analysis and advisory firm, and a freelance technical writer, analyst, and contributing author to .NET Magazine's Security Strategies Column. Please e-mail him at nils_odhner@yahoo.com for feedback to this article or related topics.

Tactics for DR Plan Implementation

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