This new NAS-based technology performs at the block level where the actual digital 1s and 0s are captured from the hard drive, essentially eliminating failures related to open files. Because block-level data is raw information that’s independent of file structure formatting, it’s the most efficient way to backup a disk.

Our NAS device can be configured to backup multiple Windows based servers by partition or by logical drives. There are no file or folder-level exclusions, because a snapshot of the entire partition is taken at the block level on the hard drive.

Also, database applications such as Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Exchange Server transfer data in blocks without having to worry if files are open or if they are in use.

Key Components Of The Device’s Technology Are:

Base Image

The first backup taken of a server is the base image - an exact copy of the currently used space on the server. The base image is taken for each volume (or partition) on the server. Once the base image is set all future backups are incrementals.

Remote Storage and Base Remote Backup Image Creation

Your data is stored (in encrypted form) in multiple secure online data backup centres, located hundreds of miles apart from each other. We will create the base image and upload it to our data centres as part of the installation service. Incremental back ups will occur in the meantime and they will collapse into the base image when the transfer is complete.

Incrementals

Incrementals take place at the frequency that you ask us to schedule. If you select 24/7 backups at 15 minute incrementals 96 incremental files will be created each day. If you selected one-hour incrementals, 24 incremental files will be created each day.

Incremental Forever Methodology

Incremental Forever Methodology differs from regular incrementals in that only one full backup or base image is required. This greatly reduces the time it takes to perform subsequent backups as each incremental takes only seconds to complete.

Synthetic Incrementals

Incremental files are collapsed into synthetic incrementals (basically one larger incremental file). This is done to ensure chain integrity and to speed up restorations. The fewer hops from the current point-in-time back to the base image, the faster your restoration will be.

Recovery Options

Recovering files and folders is a simple process where the entire image is mounted as a volume on the NAS device. Files can then be copied to the destination server over the network. We also provide utilities enabling us to restore files, folders, Exchange mailboxes or messages and SQL tables and databases.

Virtualization (Physical to Virtual) Standby Server Functionality

The NAS device can “virtualize” failed servers while keeping the system in the same state as it was before the problem arose. No configurations are necessary. Once virtualized, the NAS will resume the backup schedule that was in effect before the failure.

Bare Metal Restore (Virtual to Physical)

When it comes time to restore the virtualized server back to physical hardware, our bare metal restore process allows restorations to dissimilar hardware.

On-site and Off-site Solution with Multiple Restore Points

Multiple NAS devices can be placed on a LAN. Each NAS device, depending on the model, can be configured to backup a single server or multiple servers.

Everything comes together in our NAS device to produce 15-minute incremental snapshots that safely reside within the device and are ready to be used to restore a file, a file folder, an email, or a database… all within five minutes.

With its fast virtualization capabilities, our NAS device can be configured to function as a replacement server if needed. This unique device can also replace management intensive, error-prone tape backups while providing much more…starting with peace of mind.

Protect Valuable Informational Assets & Keep Downtime To A Minimum

Our NAS device is a comprehensive Backup and Disaster Recovery solution (BDR) for Windows servers. This low cost, all-encompassing solution for small-to-midsize businesses provides:

• Very frequent backups (as frequent as every 15 minutes) with an onsite NAS Device.
• Off-site data storage at our data centres.
• The ability to restore downed servers in less than 30 minutes!
• Advanced restoration (file and folder levels) with Exchange message and mailbox recovery.
• Bare-metal restorations to dissimilar hardware.
• Low cost.

NAS vs. Tape

Though tape backup is common, it’s far from being an ideal solution. Analysts have said that over half of tape backups fail, so chances are that if you need to restore from tape, you may not be able to retrieve your data. But assuming all goes well with tape backup, how does it compare with Data Angel?

	TAPE	NAS
Backup Window	A significant backup window is required to complete a full backup - time lost for access to vital systems.	There is no backup window...your critical business systems remain up and running.
Recovery Point	Systems are typically backed up every 24 hours. Are you ready to lose a day's worth of work?	Data snapshots take place every 15 minutes...about the same length of time as a coffee break.
Recovery Time	There's nothing automatic about restoring with tape. The process is time-consuming and labour intensive.	Recovery is as simple as pushing a few buttons (or clicking a mouse). Systems are restored in less than a half hour.

What Happens If My Server Crashes?

Now let’s look at how Data Angel keeps your business running if, for instance, an e-mail server goes down.

Because the device takes snap shots every 15 minutes, we can choose a point in time shortly before the problem occurred and with just a few clicks of the mouse, we can activate it as a virtual server to keep business processes up and running while we diagnose the problem and plan a course of action for the failed email server.

In the event of a catastrophic server failure, our solution also includes a boot CD that allows us to perform a bare metal restore on new hardware in a fraction of the time of a typical server rebuild. This restoration will allow us to eliminate the hardware abstraction layer during the restore process so that the new drivers can be loaded on the replacement server, no matter which server brand is used — giving us speedy recovery options in times of crisis.