Advanced Edition

Description:

XenData Archive Series Software manages RAID and an attached tape library on a Windows file server to create a highly scalable digital archive. RAID and the managed tapes appear as a standard Windows logical drive. A typical network configuration is shown in the diagram below.

Files are always initially written to RAID. Immediately after the file is written to disk, it goes into a queue to be written to the primary tape cartridge. This provides continuous data protection without any backup window! It overcomes the scalability limits of conventional backup.

Administrator defined policies support hierarchical storage management and automatic tape cartridge replication. They define file retention times on RAID, the specific group of tapes to which the file will be written, scheduling of replica tape cartridge updates, etc. A single server may have many different policies, tailored to the needs of the different file types that are being archived. In all cases, when a file is written to tape, it is first written to magnetic disk and then immediately written to tape once the file is closed. A typical file management cycle is illustrated below:

This example illustrates how physical file storage is driven by administrator defined policies. Note the automatic generation of multiple file copies for high data integrity. At all times the file is available to be read over the network.

The software supports both rewritable and Write-Once-Read-Many (WORM) tape cartridges. WORM tape provides an unalterable record of the data written to it and provides best practice when authenticity of the digital content is important. XenData Software supports the simultaneous use of WORM and rewritable media within the library.

In summary, XenData Archive Series Software provides the following key functionality:

• Standard File System.  An archive server managed by XenData software works with standard applications because the RAID and managed tapes are presented as a standard drive letter that is shared over the network.

• HSM.  Online, nearline and offline files are supported. 

• Continuous Data Protection. Two physical instances of each are created typically within a minute. This approach to data protection avoids the major limitations of conventional backup including the need for a backup window.

• Automatic Update of Tape Cartridge Replicas.   Additional data protection is provided by the automatic generation of tape cartridge replicas.

• WORM Tape Support.   The software provides a full audit trail of the file system. When WORM tape is used, the system meets the most stringent legal requirements for digital document retention.