Page 4 of 12 Why Choose Native Fibre Channel Backup? July 2001 Why do we do this? We continue to put up with backup nightmares because server-attached backup has been the only effective option for years.  SCSI-based backup devices have served us well in server-attached configurations because SCSI is ideal for transferring data between two devices over short distances.  SCSI supports large data transfers and offers extremely fast transfer rates (currently up to 160 MB/second).  These capabilities are exactly what is needed for server-attached backup. However, businesses are finding that data has reached a critical mass that threatens to bring down the network unless a new approach is found.   As server-attached storage gives way to SANs, backup strategies must also evolve to keep pace with the benefits provided by the SAN. Businesses are turning to SANs Over the past few years, SANs have evolved from a concept promising great benefits to a rapidly-maturing technology embraced by many businesses.  SANs offer businesses a way to solve their data storage, management, delivery, and backup problems. Some of the dramatic benefits of SANs are: Quicker data delivery.  Data transfers take place on the Fibre Channel SAN rather than the production network.  Fibre Channel currently transfers data at 100 MB/ second.  In the near future, speeds of 200 and 400 MB/second will be common.  In comparison, widely used 100BaseT Ethernet transfers data at approximately 10 MB/ second. Better network performance.  Network slowdowns are eliminated because the SAN frees the production network from the task of transferring huge amounts of data. More efficient use of storage.  Storage is not tied to specific servers, so it becomes a pooled resource.  Storage can be allocated as needed, resulting in less under-use or over-use of individual storage devices. Increased data accessibility.  Data can be shared among all servers attached to the SAN.  Fibre Channel allows multiple devices to access the same data, regardless of platform, physical interface, operating system, or data protocol. Easier scalability of storage.  An administrator can hot-plug additional storage into the SAN as needed, without having to bring down the network or reconfigure servers. SANs offer businesses a way to solve their data storage, management, delivery, and backup problems. p1   p2   p3   p4   p5   p6   p7   p8   p9   p10   p11   p12