With decline in data storage prices, companies are found to be increasingly deploying network backup software to protect their most precious asset � information. Today the market provides a lot of options and you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to picking an optimum backup solution. But the solution must integrate seamlessly into your IT infrastructure, or else you will encounter storage sprawl. Following network backup software usage best practices ensures efficient data storage management.
Network backup software usage types
Apparently buying more storage than what is actually necessary may not seem to be an unwise decision from the future requirement perspective. But in reality storage sprawl creates a lot of issues in the sense that storage managers find it difficult to meet the management overhead expenses and have to implement complex IT and business practices just to get to the stored data. It is therefore advisable to utilize network backup software to consolidate data to few selected locations on your network, thereby reducing network complexity.
Typically data is not stored in the same server that houses applications, which reside on their own physical or virtual machines. There are three main approaches to use this kind of backup software to control storage sprawl- network-attached storage (NAS), storage area network (SAN) and cloud storage.
NAS devices uses file system architecture to provide data storing by being attached to your existing network. However they are easy to deploy and can lead to rapid file storing growth. On the other hand SAN taps into a centralized infrastructure to provide block level data backup. But it can incur huge expenses and management overhead. Cloud storage is also quite useful in managing storage sprawl. The service provider virtualizes the resources to host data on the cloud or a virtual server. You can buy or lease storing capacity from the service vendor who will manage your data, depending on your level of trust and how much you want to pay.
Network backup software usage best practices
As your business expands, the data will also scale and therefore it is important to adhere to some policies to control storage sprawl. The best way to go about it is to use software tools to track your storing use, identify trouble spots or storage bottlenecks, and then implement improved procedures semi-annually. Simplify your backup infrastructure. Choose a single network location to store your entire backup, thereby reducing total amount of hardware and software needed for storing as well as administration costs.
Combine your file and block storage to bring down your overhead expenses. Use NAS gateway appliance or unified network backup storage devices to facilitate unified backup that reduces management requirements. Virtual NAS appliances that act virtual file servers for data backup can also be leveraged for combating storage sprawl.
Conclusion
Network backup software provides several options for data storage. The flexibility that network backup software provides in terms of the storage options should be utilized wisely to minimize administrative overhead and to handle storage sprawl to the advantage of your company.
