How to Use Virtualization to Accelerate Remote Backup and WAN Replication

Software-based WAN optimization virtual appliances

Software-based WAN optimization virtual appliances work within a VM and completely leverage the virtualization environment for easy provisioning, management, high availability and resource allocation. Virtual appliances use system resources (CPU, memory, storage) that can be upgraded as required based on policy prioritization. Software virtual appliances can be dynamically scaled and moved around, enabling you to allocate the WAN optimization function where it is most needed.

WAN optimization virtual appliances provide up to 95 percent greater throughput between data centers and/or replication branch offices. Backup and replication applications can experience up to ten times the performance. The resulting effective network bandwidth exceeds the rated bandwidth depending on the effect of the compression algorithms. In many cases, bandwidth optimization will exceed 95 percent.

Virtualization technologies are now mature, flexible and scalable enough to provide high- performance data recovery services to smaller, less mission-critical locations and users through more cost-effective WAN optimization virtual appliances. In most cases, WAN optimization virtual appliances can save 60 percent in equipment and bandwidth costs versus hardware appliances.

In addition, if you contract for data backup and recovery services, you should evaluate WAN optimization virtual appliance software before you sign on the dotted line for tape-based recovery and replication. Data backup and recovery services may seem affordable, but you could lose out big if they do not meet your recovery time and point requirements—whether you are a small or large company.

Conclusion

If you need a data recovery solution for your distributed enterprise, or a faster or more cost-effective one, then you need to evaluate WAN optimization virtual appliance software. It will maximize your investment in your WAN infrastructure and your backup-and-recovery application environment. WAN optimization virtual appliance software can deliver the results that you need to cost-effectively protect and maintain your company’s most valuable asset: its data.

Shawn Cooney is Director of Research at Certeon. Shawn has more than 25 years of experience in information and network security. He has expertise in digital rights management, MPEG compression and networking security. Shawn holds a patent in audio and video compression over IP networks. He was also a member of the IETF MPEG 4 Systems and Digital Rights Management committees. Prior to Certeon, Shawn founded software copyright protection and digital media companies, and was a senior consulting engineer at EMC. He can be reached at scooney@certeon.com.