Disk-based backup
Disk-based backup technology is popular for data backup and recovery applications. Explore resources on disk backup, including tips on migrating to disk and putting together a disk-based backup and recovery plan. Read about how disk backup can help you meet your backup recovery objectives and learn about how to choose a disk backup vendor.
Top Stories
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Tip
11 Oct 2024
RAID 5 vs. RAID 10
RAID is a staple for backup and storage administrators who want to create redundancy and protect data. RAID 5 and RAID 10 offer similar benefits, but is one better than the other? Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Oct 2024
RAID 1 vs. RAID 5
Neither RAID 1 nor RAID 5 is clearly better than the other, but there are several areas to compare the two to find the right option for your organization. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Aug 2024
Backup strategy for small businesses 101
Small businesses must review data protection needs and choose a backup strategy accordingly. This ensures that they meet requirements without going over budget. Continue Reading
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Answer
07 Aug 2024
What's the best way to protect against HDD failure?
Whatever the reason for failure, HDDs are hard to repair. Admins need to get out in front of potential issues, like the four described here, to prevent prolonged downtime. Continue Reading
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Definition
01 Aug 2024
What is a partition in computers?
A partition is a logical division of a hard disk drive (HDD) that's treated as a separate unit by operating systems (OSes) and file systems. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Jul 2024
12 common virtual machine backup mistakes
Despite an administrator's best efforts, virtual machine backups can fail. Determine the cause of the failure and modify the VM backup strategy to prevent future mistakes. Continue Reading
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Definition
12 Jul 2024
SCSI (Small Computer System Interface)
SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) is an electronic interface that enables PCs and servers to communicate with peripheral hardware, such as storage devices, printers and scanners, faster and more flexibly than previous parallel data transfer interfaces. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Jul 2024
7 data backup strategies and best practices you need to know
This comprehensive guide explains backup basics, the issues affecting risk and the seven critical backup strategies you need to keep data safe. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Jul 2024
Types of backup explained: Full, incremental, differential, etc.
There are several different types of backup. Here's how to choose the best way to safeguard your data and recover appropriately in the event of an incident. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
01 Jul 2024
How to create Group Policy backups in Windows Server
Group Policy Objects represent a significant time investment and an important configuration management tool. Follow these simple steps to protect them. Continue Reading
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Definition
20 Jun 2024
SATA Express (SATAe)
SATA Express (SATAe or Serial ATA Express) is a bus interface to connect storage devices to a computer motherboard, supporting SATA and PCI Express protocols simultaneously. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
04 Jun 2024
How to use the Windows Server Backup tool
In this tutorial you'll learn how to install, schedule and test Windows Server Backup utility. Readers will also find out which environments the tool is best suited to. Continue Reading
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Definition
04 Jun 2024
differential backup
A differential backup is a data backup that copies all the files that have changed since the last full backup was performed. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 May 2024
Agent vs. agentless backup: Which is the best option?
In the debate between agent-based and agentless backups, agentless tends to win out. However, factors such as environment and hypervisor capabilities can impact that decision. Continue Reading
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Definition
07 May 2024
purpose-built backup appliance (PBBA)
A purpose-built backup appliance (PBBA) is a standalone disk-based storage device that is configured and optimized for storing backup data. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 May 2024
AHCI vs. RAID: Features, differences and applications
AHCI and RAID are fundamental concepts for running an efficient data management and storage infrastructure. Learn the AHCI and RAID basics, as well as how SATA and IDE compare. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Apr 2024
software redundant array of independent disk (software RAID)
Software RAID, also known as virtual RAID, is a form of RAID (software redundant array of independent disk) performed on an internal server. Continue Reading
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Definition
09 Apr 2024
What is data backup? An in-depth guide
Data backup is the process of copying data in an IT system to another location so it can be recovered if the original data is lost. Continue Reading
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Definition
08 Apr 2024
backup storage device
A backup storage device is a hardware component for storing copies of data. Continue Reading
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Definition
27 Mar 2024
RAID 3 (redundant array of independent disks 3)
RAID 3 (redundant array of independent disks 3) is a RAID configuration that uses a parity disk to store the information generated by a RAID controller and uses striping to store the data. Continue Reading
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Definition
20 Mar 2024
removable media
Removable media is any type of storage device that can be removed from a computer while the system is running. Removable media makes it easy for a user to move data from one computer to another. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Mar 2024
RAID 50 (RAID 5+0)
RAID 50, also known as RAID 5+0, combines distributed parity (RAID 5) with striping (RAID 0). It requires a minimum of six drives. Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2024
VergeIO's IOguardian protects VM data loss with syncing tech
The IOguardian capability for VergeIO's OS enables virtual machine replication and data syncing without the continuity lag common with disaster recovery software. Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Mar 2024
ghost imaging (disk imaging)
In computing, ghost imaging, also called disk imaging, is a data backup process that creates an image of a computer's hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD) or one of the drive's partitions. Continue Reading
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News
27 Feb 2024
Cohesity CEO on customer choice following Veritas merger
Sanjay Poonen, CEO of Cohesity, talks about his company's recent purchase of Veritas, what customers should expect in the year ahead and if other mergers are possible. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Feb 2024
4 long-term data backup options
Data backups ensure copies of critical data are available in the event of a crisis or failure. When backing up long-term data, cost and capacity are vital considerations. Continue Reading
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Definition
13 Feb 2024
disk array
A disk array, also called a storage array, is a data storage system used for block-based storage, file-based storage or object storage. Continue Reading
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Definition
02 Feb 2024
disk mirroring (RAID 1)
Disk mirroring, also known as RAID 1, is the replication of data across two or more disks. Continue Reading
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Definition
12 Jan 2024
shingled magnetic recording (SMR)
Shingled magnetic recording (SMR) is a technique for writing data to a hard disk drive (HDD) whereby the data tracks partially overlap to increase the areal density and overall storage capacity per disk. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
13 Dec 2023
Dump and restore: Helpful backup utilities for Linux users
Dump and restore are two Linux utilities that help ensure reliable backups. From utility installation to restoring file systems, this tutorial is for Linux users of all levels. Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Dec 2023
hardware RAID (hardware redundant array of independent disk)
Hardware RAID is a form of RAID (redundant array of independent disks) where processing is done on the motherboard or a separate RAID card. Continue Reading
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News
17 Oct 2023
StorPool adds fast erasure coding to block storage
Latest release of StorPool Storage enables high-performance data protection for block storage using erasure coding on standard SSDs for fast recovery of demanding applications. Continue Reading
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Definition
02 Oct 2023
RAID controller
A RAID controller is a hardware device or software program used to manage hard disk drives or solid-state drives in a computer or storage array so they work as a logical unit. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Sep 2023
RAID 4 (redundant array of independent disks)
RAID 4 (redundant array of independent disks) is a RAID configuration that uses a dedicated parity disk and block-level striping across multiple disks. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Aug 2023
How to configure shadow copies on file servers
When you enable the shadow copies service on your shared folders, you give your end users the flexibility to restore deleted files or revert a file to an earlier version. Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Aug 2023
RAID 6
RAID 6, also known as double-parity RAID, is one of several RAID schemes that work by placing data on multiple disks and enabling I/O operations to overlap in a balanced way, improving performance. Continue Reading
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Definition
26 Jul 2023
floating gate transistor (FGT)
A floating gate transistor (FGT) is a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology capable of holding an electrical charge in a memory device that is used to store data. Continue Reading
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Definition
29 Jun 2023
disk image
A disk image is a compressed file that contains a copy of the entire contents of a computer's hard drive or other storage media, such as optical discs or solid-state drives. Continue Reading
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Definition
10 May 2023
network drive
A network drive is a shared storage device on a local area network (LAN) within a business or home. Continue Reading
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Definition
13 Apr 2023
RAID 0 (disk striping)
RAID 0 (disk striping) is the process of dividing a body of data into blocks and spreading the data blocks across multiple storage devices, such as hard disks or solid-state drives (SSDs), in a redundant array of independent disks group. Continue Reading
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Definition
27 Feb 2023
compact disc (CD)
A compact disc is a portable storage medium that can record, store and play back audio, video and other data in digital form. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Feb 2023
What are the pros and cons of cloud backup?
Know which type of cloud backup you want to use and the advantages and disadvantages that come with cloud backups before you trust your data to a third-party provider. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Jan 2023
Cloud backup vs. traditional backup: Advantages, disadvantages
Cloud backup vs. traditional backup is an important discussion. Although the cloud backup market is soaring, traditional backup players also have much to offer your organization. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Jan 2023
Data backup failure: Top 5 causes and tips for prevention
What can you do to prevent data backup failure? Learn how using the 3-2-1 rule, turning to cloud backup and following other practical steps can help protect your data. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Oct 2022
The ins and outs of unstructured data protection
Protecting unstructured data requires a few extra considerations for backup admins. Growing storage capacity requirements and regulatory compliance are critical. Continue Reading
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Quiz
30 Sep 2022
RAID data protection quiz: Test your knowledge
How well do you know RAID? It may be time to test your know-how. Find out how much you know about RAID levels, origins and their relationship to data backup with this quiz. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Aug 2022
Continuous data protection advantages and disadvantages
Continuous data protection can eliminate your backup window. However, there are many issues to consider, including application and operating system compatibility. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Aug 2022
RAID 1 vs. RAID 0: Which level is best for data protection?
RAID 1 and RAID 0 are two of the most basic RAID levels. While one offers better performance, backup admins may choose the level that provides redundancy to better protect data. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Aug 2022
Craft a secure and reliable backup redundancy strategy
Backup and redundancy are not interchangeable. By using both, backup admins can avoid critical data loss and help ensure recovery. However, watch out for some common missteps. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jun 2022
Storage media showdown: The benefits of tape vs. disk backup
Tape and disk are established as reliable backup storage, but which one is best for your organization? Consider factors such as cost, performance and security in your decision. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Jun 2022
RAID 6 vs. RAID 10: Which is better to prevent data loss?
There are numerous RAID configurations to choose from, but navigating the nuances of each can take a lot of work. In the case of RAID 6 and 10, both have distinct pros and cons. Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2022
Infinidat adds cyber resilience software to InfiniGuard appliance
Infinidat upgraded its purpose-built backup appliance, InfiniGuard, with anti-ransomware software and boosted its DRAM to provide faster recovery times. Continue Reading
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Definition
09 Feb 2022
unzipping
Unzipping is the act of extracting the files from a zipped single file or similar file archive. Continue Reading
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Definition
09 Feb 2022
HD-DVD (high-definition DVD)
HD-DVD (high-definition DVD) is a defunct high-capacity optical storage medium that was once seen as the successor to the DVD. Continue Reading
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Definition
29 Dec 2021
content-addressed storage (CAS)
Content-addressed storage (CAS) -- also called content-addressable storage -- is a method for storing fixed content as objects and providing fast access to that content. Continue Reading
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Definition
06 Dec 2021
hard disk drive (HDD)
A computer hard disk drive (HDD) is a non-volatile data storage device. Continue Reading
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Definition
12 Nov 2021
storage medium (storage media)
In computers, a storage medium is a physical device that receives and retains electronic data for applications and users and makes the data available for retrieval. Continue Reading
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Definition
02 Nov 2021
IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics)
IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) is an electronic interface standard that defines the connection between a bus on a computer's motherboard and the computer's disk storage devices. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Oct 2021
optical disk
An optical disk is an electronic data storage medium that can be written to and read from using a low-powered laser beam. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Sep 2021
optical storage
Optical storage is any storage type in which data is written and read with a laser. Continue Reading
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Definition
20 Sep 2021
JBOD (just a bunch of disks)
JBOD, which stands for 'just a bunch of disks,' is a type of multilevel configuration for disks. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Aug 2021
RAID (redundant array of independent disks)
RAID (redundant array of independent disks) is a way of storing the same data in different places on multiple hard disks or solid-state drives (SSDs) to protect data in the case of a drive failure. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Aug 2021
RAID 5 vs. RAID 6: Capacity, performance, durability
RAID 5 and RAID 6 provide solid data protection, but both have their pros and cons. Find out what to compare when deciding between RAID 5 vs. RAID 6 in this tip. Continue Reading
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Definition
09 Jul 2021
RAID 10 (RAID 1+0)
RAID 10, also known as RAID 1+0, is a RAID configuration that combines disk mirroring and disk striping to protect data. Continue Reading
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Definition
08 Jul 2021
Serial ATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment or SATA)
Serial ATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment or SATA) is a command and transport protocol that defines how data is transferred between a computer's motherboard and mass storage devices, such as hard disk drives (HDDs), optical drives and solid-state drives (SSDs). Continue Reading
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News
27 Jan 2021
Veritas NetBackup 9 adds Flex Scale scale-out architecture
NetBackup 9 offers a new scale-out deployment aimed at software-defined, hyper-converged data centers, allowing customers to add storage nodes as they see fit. Continue Reading
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News
27 Jan 2021
Candy-maker sweetens IT setup with VxRail, PowerProtect
Warrell Corp. treated itself to a new IT infrastructure to drive its candy manufacturing, adding hyper-converged backup appliances and cloud DR from Dell EMC. Continue Reading
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News
17 Dec 2020
X Series Arcserve backup appliances have built-in security
Arcserve X Series appliances have Sophos Intercept X Advanced built in and can scale to three petabytes. All Arcserve backup appliances now ship with Sophos software. Continue Reading
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News
18 Nov 2020
Rivals Dell EMC, Unitrends refresh backup appliance lineups
When upgrading their backup appliance portfolios, Dell EMC and Unitrends addressed continued demand for backup hardware. Both also rolled out new unified management interfaces. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Nov 2020
RAID vs. backup: Learn the differences and benefits of both
In a battle of RAID vs. backup, both could win. While RAID offers disk failure protection, it falls short in other areas where backup comes in handy. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Sep 2020
Law firm makes compelling case for Pure Storage all-flash
CSK Legal first used Pure Storage all-flash arrays to move VMs to VMware vSphere. Primary Pure FlashArray replicates VMs to second target used exclusively for backups. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Jul 2020
Modern HDD technologies that are bringing hard disks back
Don't write off HDDs just yet. Energy-assisted technologies such as MAMR and HAMR may keep hard disk drives competitive in an evolving secondary storage market. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Jul 2020
HAMR vs. MAMR, and the future of high-capacity hard drives
Energy-assisted hard drive technology is here, and heat-assisted and microwave-assisted magnetic recording technologies are about to bring even more changes to the HDD market. Continue Reading
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Opinion
07 May 2020
SMR, HAMR and other HDD technologies you can build on
Hard disk drives could make a comeback in 2020, as new technologies such as SMR, HAMR, MAMR and dual actuators provide more capacity and speed for secondary storage. Continue Reading
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News
16 Apr 2020
SaaS-based Unitrends Helix automates tedious backup tasks
Unitrends Helix automates the tasks of monitoring, remediating and maintaining backup servers. While tedious, they are necessary to prevent failed backups. Continue Reading
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News
05 Feb 2020
Quantum object storage expands with ActiveScale purchase
Quantum object storage will be used in conjunction with StorNext file system technologies to tackle unstructured data associated with streaming video and surveillance. Continue Reading
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News
25 Nov 2019
With Time on its hands, Meredith drives storage consolidation
Following an acquisition of Time Inc., Meredith Corp. dumped most of its traditional IT gear and added newer technology developed around virtualization, convergence and the cloud. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Oct 2019
Archive vs. backup and why you need to know the differences
Archiving and data backup are both key pieces of data protection. They can complement each other, but both provide distinct and important capabilities. Continue Reading
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News
28 Oct 2019
IBM Spectrum Protect supports container backups
IBM focuses on data protection with backup support for container volumes in Kubernetes, Red Hat OpenShift environments, VMs in VMware Cloud on AWS; adds new Virtual Tape Library. Continue Reading
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Guide
15 Oct 2019
Backup deduplication: A complete guide
Backup deduplication has moved from cutting-edge technology to mainstream staple. Learn about the different types, benefits and challenges of deduplication. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Sep 2019
RAID 50: How to select the right RAID level
RAID 50 combines striping with distributed parity for reduced data loss and better performance. Is RAID 50 the right configuration for your organization? Continue Reading
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News
30 Jul 2019
Oscar-winning studio tames file data with Oracle, Igneous
Making movies is a file-intensive business, and Hollywood studios must give their artists the right storage technologies to store, manage and protect business-critical data. Continue Reading
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Answer
15 Jul 2019
Erasure coding vs. RAID: Pros and cons for hyper-convergence
Hyper-converged systems, like any other, require data protection. We describe using RAID and erasure coding for hyper-convergence to help you pick the best option for your HCI. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jun 2019
7 rules for effective data backup procedures
If you're responsible for data backups on multiple systems, strong policies are highly recommended. This tip gives you seven rules to follow for effective data backup procedures. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 May 2019
How to make the most of secondary data storage workloads
You get more out of your data when you use secondary storage effectively. Taking advantage of disk-based and hyper-converged backups -- and copy data management -- will help. Continue Reading
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News
25 Apr 2019
How EHT's black hole image data is stored and protected
The Event Horizon Telescope team had to find a way to capture, store, process and back up petabytes of radio signal data to create the world's first black hole image. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Apr 2019
Top 4 NAS backup strategies for your data protection
Whether justified or simply because the technology was misunderstood, backing up NAS devices was once considered a challenge. Now, you have several options for proper NAS backup. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Feb 2019
Unitrends Recovery Series Gen 8 backup appliances
Unitrends has updated its Recovery Series backup appliance to Gen 8, with added features like machine learning-based ransomware protection and automatic recovery testing. Continue Reading
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News
14 Jan 2019
Quantum backup appliance portfolio grows by two
The Quantum backup appliance lineup gets refreshed with the addition of the DXi4800 and DXi9000 series. But the vendor is staying away from integrated appliances at the moment. Continue Reading
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News
14 Jan 2019
Backup hardware devices: 2018 Products of the Year finalists
Some finalists in the 2018 Products of the Year backup hardware category aim to entice data-rich SMBs, or carve their niche by branching out beyond backup and recovery. Continue Reading
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News
19 Nov 2018
In-vehicle mobile data storage is Quantum's next target
Quantum Mobile Storage is designed to capture vehicle data from self-driving cars and easily offload it to a Quantum StorNext appliance. It's built to handle harsh, mobile environments. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Oct 2018
Compression, deduplication and encryption: What's the difference?
Learn the distinctions and similarities among data compression, dedupe and encryption as these data protection methods gain importance in everyday storage. Continue Reading
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News
11 Oct 2018
Commvault appliance lineup expands by two
Commvault moves its HyperScale appliance platform into the enterprise with the HS3300 and into remote and branch offices with the Remote Office Appliance. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
09 Oct 2018
Inline deduplication vs. post-processing: Data dedupe best practices
Will inline or post-processing deduplication work better for your data protection platform? There are several products on the market that offer these capabilities. Continue Reading
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News
02 Oct 2018
HPE StoreOnce backup adds capacity, protection capabilities
Hewlett Packard Enterprise spruces up StoreOnce secondary storage with federated management of up to 100 appliances. HPE also deepened the StoreOnce integration with Commvault. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Aug 2018
Create a backup image in 7 easy steps
Learn how to generate an image-based backup using our step-by-step instructions. Just remember to perform this activity in a test system to avoid wiping out source data. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Jul 2018
5D data storage and the future of optical technology
Researchers say revolutionary 5D optical storage could protect hundreds of terabytes of data for billions of years, far beyond the capabilities of current storage media. Continue Reading
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Answer
16 Jul 2018
How have disk backups changed in recent years?
Disk-based backup provides newer features that can speed and ease recovery. IT should take advantage of instant recovery and virtual lab capabilities. Continue Reading
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News
05 Jul 2018
Cohesity backup replaces legacy EMC at Piedmont HealthCare
A healthcare firm doesn't take full advantage of Cohesity secondary storage capabilities, but finds its backup and recovery features simpler and faster. Continue Reading
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Definition
12 Apr 2018
disk backup or disk-based backup
Disk backup, or disk-based backup, is a data backup and recovery method that backs data up to hard disk storage. Continue Reading
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News
05 Feb 2018
Dell EMC unveils the DD3300, its latest Data Domain appliance
Dell EMC's latest addition to the Data Domain line targets SMBs and enterprises with remote offices. The system includes Data Domain Boost technology and cloud tiering software. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Jan 2018
Build data storage reliability into a backup infrastructure
In today's market, there are a variety of data backup options. Here's how to make sure your organization's essential data will always be there when it is needed. Continue Reading