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The fast advancement of internet capabilities sets the foundation on market expansion for small and medium sized businesses. While enjoying the growth in sales, the business owners must also face the reality of managing and protecting the fast increasing data, at the same time, keeping the MS SQL/web server alive 24x7.
This white paper introduces XLink Technology's ClusterReplica ENT software which provides solutions on data protection and recovery, as well as server high availability for small to medium businesses. Challenges involve these subjects are also discussed.
Today's Challenges on Continuous Data Protection and Server High Availability for Small-to-Medium Businesses
The automated business transactions by way of internet web in all types of business dealings brought with it the challenges on data management and MS SQL/Web server availability. To small and medium businesses, the major challenges that go along with the business globalization include:
Exploding data increases difficulty in data management
The paperless office has become the norm of today's business style. Data exchange over high-speed internet, database file processing and internal documentation updates are the major sources in this data exploding trend. This dramatic increase in amount of data amplifies difficulties in data management and data processing.
Keeping MS SQL/Web server alive for global market
The easy access to internet services made the business globalization possible for small businesses. Customer satisfaction demands 24x7 flawless server services and accurate, fast data processing. Real-time data replication and automatic cluster failover are the keys for this customer satisfaction which in turn ensures the success for the small and medium businesses in this global market competition.
Prevent data loss from natural disasters and human errors
Files of personal information and business documentations are important business assets that need protection from being damaged or lost caused by natural disasters and human errors. Ability to backup all new data at the time it is created is crucial to prevent data loss.
Affordable solution on both initial cost and maintaining
Typically to small to medium sized businesses, it is essentially important that the product or service they get for business growth is cost-effective. A good product must be easy to use and reliable. A feasible solution means low initial cost plus low maintenance cost and effort. Without an in-house IT staff, small business owners must be able to manage the product and get help when needed.
Introduction to XLink ClusterReplica Enterprise
Solution: Server Clustering
The most effective solution to satisfy all conditions brought up in above section is server clustering. Server clustering binds two or more computer systems together to server a common purpose. Typically, there are data replication activities between the clustered servers and the failover capability to ensure server availability.
A Speculative Solution: server clustering software for large companies
Most of today's clustering solutions that are currently available to businesses are designed for large companies. Typically, large companies have the well defined management structures, complex product configurations and sales distribution methods. With these characteristics, large companies' needs for server clustering cannot be simplified.
Server clustering, by itself, involves intricate interaction between the clustered servers. Software products designed to create and manage the clustering tend to be complicated and difficult to use. Configuration and managing of this kind of software are typically beyond the capacity of an average small and medium sized businesses.
These products are usually very expensive to buy and require trained IT staff to configure and maintain. They typically meet the needs and budget of large companies, but are impractical for small and medium sized businesses.
The Solution: XLink ClusterReplica for small/medium businesses
ClusterReplica ENT, based on CDP technology, combines conventional High Availability solutions and Microsoft DPM-like functions to create the next generation of business continuity software.
ClusterReplica ENT not only handles failover automatically to guarantee server 24x7 availability, it also manages real-time data replication with schemes of one-to-many and many-to-one to local and remote destinations. The data replication function is application specific that maneuvers MS SQL database files and IIS web server files according to their application requirements to ensure data accuracy. ClusterReplica ENT provides a complete data protection and server available solution of corporate standard to the small and medium businesses with simple installation and automatic setup of data replication path lists. Business owners can now utilize the most up-to-date technology for their business growth without the burden of high overhead.
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