Different Types of Enterprise Data Storage Systems

The ever-growing data and the need of secure databases are top concerns of business enterprises now. Choosing the right data storage system for the enterprises can also be difficult, especially when the business is unsure about the future requirements. Business data storage architecture usually consist more than one device and the storage architecture can be classified in to 3 categories as follows.

1. Direct Attached Storage or DAS: As name implies, DAS is a storage infrastructure consisting of secondary storage systems attached to the computer or server. The storage is block level. DAS can be fast because the data is stored and retrieved from directly attached devices and do not involve any networks.
2. Network Attached Storage or NAS: As sounds, NAS is a storage infrastructure in which the storage devices like computers, servers and RAIDs are connected to a network and have specific IP addresses. There is also a supporting operating system or software program is utilized to monitor and manage the storage architecture.
3. Storage Area Network or SAN: This is highly dedicated and scalable data storage architecture in which different storage devices and architectures are interconnected. SAN architecture supports monitoring, data sharing, backup and archiving.

This blog is written for SWAN Solutions, an Indian data storage system dealer offering top quality IBM data storage systems for businesses.

Need of Data Backup & Archive Systems in India

As all of you know, India is a fast growing economy especially with increasing number of technology driven businesses, increasing company branches and business automation processes. Now most business owners know the importance of storing their company and business data. In fact, more dependence on digital systems made data storage mandatory for most enterprises. Otherwise you may be out-of-the business one day you don't expect.

Business now implement a variety of different data storage and backups systems ranging from the simple CD drives and USB pen drives to high-end data storage systems and online backup systems.  Although the current backup solution can fulfill your task for the present you should be always ready to cover the future requirements.

Many entrepreneurs do not differentiate between backup and archiving.These are two different procedures. Data backup is creating the exact mirror copy of the data. The process is usually very fast and needed to be performed at least once per day. Generally the data is stored in comparatively cheap backup systems like DVDs and Flash drives or hard-disk drives. Some companies working online use servers and integrated database systems for centralized access. Actually the data is not needed until any emergency and the database recovery process usually replaces the existing data with the backup data. Some times the retrieving process can be time consuming and expensive.

Data archiving is the practice of storing the data that is likely to be needed again. The process involve proper naming, arrangement and classification of data. The data is properly screened and funneled to reduce duplication and to free valuable the storage space. Usually the process is managed by archiving software. Archiving systems can be a little bit expensive as the data may be needed to be stored for month or years and should be retrieved easily whenever you want.

Know more about SWAN Data Backup and Archiving products & services.