The Economic Impact Of Zero Data Loss. White Paper

Transcription

1 The Economic Impact Of Zero Data Loss White Paper February,

2 Contents Executive Summary.. 3 Challenges The Solution...6 Economic Benefits Summary...9 2

3 0BExecutive Summary Disaster Recovery protection is much like insurance, you only need it when a disaster strikes. If you could get the same level of protection for more than half the cost, could you afford not to? Today, data storage disaster recovery architects have only two mirroring alternatives to choose from to protect their data in DR/BC: synchronous and asynchronous. Each technique has its advantages, but each also comes with non-trivial limitations. Synchronous mirroring enables zero data loss disaster recovery, but only at an exceptionally high cost, involving additional nearby data centers, high performance storage hardware, replication software, extended bandwidth synchronous communication lines with inflexible distance limitations between primary and remote data centers (DR site). Asynchronous mirroring carries no distance limitation and utilizes less costly storage hardware, replication software and communication lines, but data loss is unavoidable. In today s tough economic environment, Axxana can offer a new way to achieve zero data loss using asynchronous infrastructure. This white paper examines the values of using the Axxana solution and provides a high level view of the various areas for cost savings. Companies interested in looking more closely at this solution are encouraged to contact Axxana or one of its partners for a more comprehensive demo and data loss savings analysis. 3

4 1BChallenges Storage architects have long understood the basic premises behind disaster recovery: data not removed from primary storage at the time of a disaster would be lost while the most effective means for protecting data involved considerable trade-offs. The two most effective alternatives for protecting data in disaster recovery/ business continuity are synchronous and asynchronous mirroring. Synchronous mirroring enables zero data loss disaster recovery by saving copies of every write operation, both in the primary storage (Production Site) and in the secondary storage (Remote Site/backup data center). The technique is usually the most expensive alternative as it requires costly, additional nearby data centers, high performance Tier 1 storage hardware, replication software, high bandwidth, and high availability synchronous communication lines. By default, this technique degrades application performance. In addition to high costs, which make the solution affordable only to the largest of enterprises, the other main disadvantage is the distance limitation. The distance between the primary and backup data centers is limited by latency to a theoretical maximum of 100 miles/160 km and a practical limit of significantly less than that. Asynchronous mirroring is not limited by distance as there is no need for acknowledging each write operation to the backup facility. However, there will be data loss and in some cases significant data loss. Because there is no acknowledgement of each write operation, the remote writes to the secondary storage (Remote Site/backup data center) fail to match the local writes (Production Site) meaning RPO for lost data can amount to essential & valuable gigabytes of data and can range, depending on volume of write operations, from minutes to hours. Furthermore, data not already replicated to the secondary location at the time of the disaster, will be lost. On the plus side, Asynchronous mirroring requires less costly storage hardware and replication software and low performance asynchronous communication lines. Most organizations, if given the option, would prefer zero data loss disaster recovery. That said, 4

5 the high cost of zero data loss disaster recovery compels companies to monetize their risk exposure vs. the value of the data at risk and to make DR decisions accordingly. 5

6 2BThe solution Axxana s product The Phoenix System RP is based on a new innovative technology - Enterprise Data Recording (EDR). Using concepts borrowed from flight data recorders, the Enterprise Data Recorder is essentially a black box for data. It is a sturdy data protection storage system capable of withstanding extreme conditions and surviving any type of disaster without losing data. The Phoenix System RP is compatible with EMC RecoverPoint s replication as well as the EMC VNX Storage family. Axxana s solution brings zero data loss disaster recovery to an asynchronous mirroring environment, combining the performance advantage of synchronous mirroring and the cost and distance advantages of asynchronous mirroring. The solution is comprised of the following components: Black Box Located at the production site. The black box is designed to withstand a wide variety of extreme conditions that may occur during a disaster. Collector Installed at the production site, the Phoenix System Collector processes data collected from the RecoverPoint system at the production site, encrypts it and stores it synchronously onto a solid state drive (SSD) in the Axxana Phoenix System Black Box. Recoverer Installed at the remote site, the Phoenix System Recoverer handles the data recovery Process. Management Tool The management tool enables detailed, standards-based system monitoring and management while providing operational statistics and Black Box status updates. 6

7 Axxana s Phoenix System protects at-risk, un-replicated and in-transit information between replication cycles. From disaster to Failover, the Phoenix continues to protect production data inside of the Black Box. The protected information is conveyed from the Black Box to the remote data center using a variety of different methods, such as transmission over the WAN or WiFi, cellular recovery, direct connection to a laptop or retrieval of the SSD. The data is reintegrated with RecoverPoint s asynchronous copy to recreate an exact synchronous copy of what was in the primary data center at the time of the disaster. The Black Box is designed to survive any disaster short of a nuclear blast and satisfies international standards for protection against fire, water, explosions, chemical, environmental, power outage, and other man-made and natural disasters. 7

8 3BEconomic Benefits Zero Data Loss over Unlimited Distance Transforms Async to Sync. Synchronous DR over asynchronous infrastructure using existing IP infrastructure to benefit from zero data loss usually associated with high cost. No distance limitations enables backup data centers to be relocated to more remote and less costly locations without compromising zero data loss disaster recovery, and providing the option of consolidating and eliminating redundant backup centers altogether. Significant Bandwidth Savings Ability to replicate more data without requiring costly communication line upgrades. Synchronous communication lines cost significantly more than asynchronous lines, typically several times more than asynchronous. Furthermore, data can be sent either in snapshots or continuously, meaning less frequently, thus reducing bandwidth requirements as well. Data Protection during WAN Link Failure All accumulated information is protected at all times enabling the company to continue operating during WAN link failure. While the WAN link is down, the RecoverPoint data is being synchronously written into the Black Box, thus maintaining zero data loss DR Protection. 8

9 4BSummary The Axxana Phoenix System RP with EMC is the industry s only disaster recovery solution that provides Zero Data Loss (RPO Zero) over unlimited distance using IP lines. With tremendous economic value and easy implementation, the Axxana solution transforms asynchronous replication into synchronous DR with 100% data protection and recovery. For a comprehensive benefits analysis for your Enterprise contact Axxana or your nearest Axxana Channel Partner. 9