Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Better Options in Network Storage Emerge

Network data storage is an important consideration. If your workstations are connected to a central network, then you certainly expect your servers to store backups from each workstation, as well as to backup information stored on the server's drive. However, if you do not have the right network data storage installed, your company might not be receiving the benefits that you need. Modern storage options have changed dramatically from what they once were.

NAS Options

Most servers have some sort of built-in hard drive on which to store data. However, this is often not enough. Limited storage space means that you have to prioritize information that is stored as a backup, or use disks to backup your system. Disks can offer some benefits, certainly, as they can be stored offsite to protect vital data from physical disasters like fire and flood. The best option might just be to combine traditional network data storage like NAS with a DVD server, though.

DVD Servers

DVD servers can be attached to your NAS system and offer streamlined functionality for your entire business. For instance, such a solution allows you to write data to DVDs, but it also allows you to copy your DVD library to the server's hard drive. Why is this important? Isn't having a DVD library sufficient?

Many companies feel that having a DVD library is enough. However, that library is actually a drain on your resources and on your employees' productivity. It's a far better option to transfer the data from those DVDs to a network data storage. This ensures that multiple employees can access the same data simultaneously, rather than forcing each of them to wait while one person uses the DVD.

Using this type of setup can also offer cost savings for your company. Lost and damaged DVDs can be quite expensive to replace. However, when you transfer the data to a network data storage solution, you protect the data and never need to worry that damage might make the disk inoperable or that an employee will lose the disk outright.

Copy Protection

Of course, you might wonder how this solution works with copy protected DVDs and CDs. Actually, the server can be configured with several drives, so that you can store encrypted DVDs in a drive, provide access to as many users as the license allows, and still not have to worry about maintaining a DVD library. It's a win-win situation for your company.

Source: ezinearticles.com