Storage Replication Software

Storage replication software includes software designed to create image copies of volumes or files via techniques such as clones, mirrors, and snapshots. Replication may be storage system, server, fabric, or appliance based and may occur locally or between remote sites, potentially separated by long distances. Replication and snapshot software is often used in conjunction with backup software to improve data protection performance. This market does not include database replication software that operates at the database, table, or record level.

Host Replication Software

This software typically resides at the file system or logical volume level within the operating system and makes a point-in-time copy or snapshot of a data set to disk used for disaster recovery, testing, application development, or reporting. In recovery, replication eliminates the intermediary step of a restore process. Representative vendors and products include the following:

• NSI (DoubleTake)
• Symantec (VERITAS Volume Replicator)


System and Data Migration Software

This block-based or file-based migration software is used to migrate data from one platform to another for system upgrades and technology refreshes, moving the data to a new platform. Representative vendors and products include the following:

• Hitachi (HiCommand Tiered Storage Manager)
• Softek (Transparent Data Migration Facility)

Fabric and Appliance-Based Replication Software

Fabric-based replication software makes use of intelligent switches and heterogeneous array products to provide block-level replication within the SAN. The intelligent switches have technologies that perform the volume management and replication process and eliminate the overhead on the host while providing any-to-any replication. Also included is software component to appliance-based replication. Representative vendors and products include the following:

• Kashya (KBX5000)
• Topio (Topio Data Protection Suite)

Array-Based Replication Software

This software makes a block-based point-in-time block copy or snapshot of storage to disk used for disaster recovery, testing, application development, reporting, and other uses. Representative vendors and products include the following:

• EMC (Symmetrix Remote Data Facility)
• Network Appliance (SnapMirror)