2009-01-27: PoINT Storage Manager – Long-term Protection of Data Throughout the Network
Siegen. PoINT Storage Manager will be launched at CeBIT 2009 (Hall 2, booth D40). The new product of PoINT Software & Systems GmbH is a universal storage management solution, which does not only support a mixture of various mass storage technologies but also meets migration demands. This concept allows a safe storage and administration of all data in a heterogeneous storage environment – long term archiving included.
PoINT Storage Manager supports file systems as well as data bases and appliances (e.g. NetApp) and offers network wide HSM-functionalities by the well-proven PoINT Tiered Archive File System (“PoINT TAFS”). Hard disk, tape as well as optical technologies in combination with all device classes are supported as storage systems.
The product was especially designed for the seamless data migration from obsolete storage systems like e.g. MO jukeboxes to new systems with state-of-the-art technologies like e.g. BD jukeboxes and hard disk based systems. This is realized by the PoINT Virtual File System (“PoINT VFS”), an innovative concept designed by PoINT Software & Systems GmbH and firstly implemented into this solution.
Another important product characteristic is the backup of database systems, which will be controlled network-wide by PoINT Storage Manager and saved efficiently on pre-defined storage devices.
The data volume, which has to be stored, is rising continuously. At the same time, a heterogeneous storage environment consisting of diverse technologies and devices has developed in numerous companies. Protecting storage systems and carrying out the necessary data migration without interruption or even data loss is an immense challenge for IT-departments. Losses of business critical data may cause extreme financial damage and, in the worst case, this can reach amounts jeopardizing the existence of a company. Simultaneously, the usage of an obsolete storage infrastructure leads in the long term to competitive disadvantages.
By launching PoINT Storage Manager, PoINT Software & Systems GmbH offers a comprehensive product, which meets all requirements regarding backup, data and technology migration as well as long-term archiving of all network data. The particular strength of this new management solution is the broad support of all storage technologies combined with the innovative file-system interface named PoINT Virtual File System (“PoINT VFS”), which integrates the existing storage systems for migration purposes. The well known PoINT Tiered Archive File System (“PoINT TAFS”) completes this solution by network-wide HSM functionality.
The different technologies (hard disk, tape and optical) in form of single drives, autoloaders, jukeboxes or appliances are optimally integrated according to their technical characteristics. This way, PoINT Storage Manager can randomly access media in a CD/DVD/BD production system and write incrementally to it. By this approach, for example a BD-autoloader with 50 media offers a capacity of 2.5 terabyte for long-term archival of data.
The backup of critical storage systems, like e.g. data bases or centralized hard disk systems, becomes more and more important and also, this issue is especially addressed by PoINT Storage Manager. In comparison to standard back-up programs, the PoINT solution considers the specific characteristics of the systems which are to be protected. For instance, data on a NetApp filer can not only be stored but also transparently migrated (“Stub-bing”) in case the data is no longer needed. Another highlight of PoINT Storage Manager is the backup of databases which are controlled by network agents. This way, especially incremental changes can be identified and limited to the necessary minimum by implementing Snapshot technology. Currently, PoINT Storage Manager supports MySQL, MS SQL and Oracle dBase.
Another main characteristic of PoINT Storage Manager is the integrated migration function. Sooner or later, all companies have to migrate data from an obsolete storage system to a state-of-the-art one. Of course, this has to be done seamlessly and without disturbing the applications. PoINT Storage Manager complies with these requirements by implementing PoINT VFS interface, which integrates existing applications without further changes. The user determines by definable rules which data is to be migrated and whether or how long respectively, the superseded storage system shall be in operation. Migrations will be carried out automatically in the background and – most important – without effecting the applications. PoINT Storage Manager virtualizes the different connected storage devices and offers a standard and transparent access for both users and applications on the existing systems.
About PoINT
PoINT Software & Systems GmbH, situated in Siegen, is specialized in the development of software products and systems solutions for storage and management of data using all available mass storage technologies like optical media, hard disks and magnetic tapes. Close collaboration with leading hardware manufacturers enables an early support of innovative storage technologies. Besides these complete solutions PoINT also offers its know-how as Software-Development-Kits, which can be easily integrated in other applications, as well as project solutions and consultancy. PoINT products are distributed by 50 partners in more than 25 countries world-wide and have been installed successfully in more than 2 million installations. The PoINT product portfolio ranges from recording and duplication of CD/DVD/BDs, professional audio- and video recording to business critical network solutions, which are based on automated systems with optical me-dia, tapes and hard disk.