Storage resource and storage replication software is used to monitor the efficiency and speed at which available drive space is utilized in a storage area network (SAN). By identifying underutilized capacity, storage resource and replication software can determine which data could be moved to less-expensive storage. Typically, this data is older or non-critical in nature. Storage resource and replication software is used also to coordinate storage allocation, stream data between sites, enforce secure interfaces to storage systems, and help predict future storage capacity requirements. Common applications include quota management and SAN management.

Types

There are many different types of storage resource and storage replication software. Examples include cloning software, data replication software, file replication software, failover software, data replication software, remote storage replication software, storage mirroring software, and storage-to-storage replication software. Disaster recovery software and data recovery software are related products. With mirroring, storage resource and replication software creates exact-image copies of data, files and folders. Software mirroring is less expensive than hardware mirroring, but is usually slower because software mirroring requires a host computer to write the mirrored data twice. Hardware mirroring is different than duplexing, a mirroring method that adds redundant host I/O controllers. Most storage resource and storage replication software is designed to reduce SAN complexity by automating complex tasks. Applications that incorporate automated device discovery can find application servers, host bus adapters (HBAs), fabric switches, and other storage devices. Typically, this storage resource and replication software is designed according to the storage management initiative specification (SMI-S), an industry standard based upon the common information model (CIM). By providing consistent security models across different management domains, these storage applications can leverage operating system (OS) security for user authentication and encryption. Role-based security is also available. Storage resource and replication software that provides a common interface can help simplify SAN management. Features include high-performance, scalable, file-level scanning; analysis and reporting; and policy-based management capabilities. Information technology (IT) personnel can use such storage resource and replication software to visualize distributed SAN solutions and manage capacity, performance, and events from a single platform. Modular storage applications are designed to accommodate business growth and provide enterprise-level solutions.