By integrating with the built-in replication and snapshot capabilities of the StoneFusion OS, the CDC service can be used for any volume managed by the StoneFly Concentrator. Databases and open documents are replicated seamlessly to the remote location.

For large datasets or low-bandwidth network links, the initial dataset can be mirrored to an on-site feeder appliance, which is then integrated into the remote environment. Further data changes are replicated seamlessly over the network. In fact, even the largest files can be protected thanks to the block-level delta change technology in the StoneFusion OS. Only changed blocks need to be replicated to maintain full synchronization between local and remote sites.

Customer data is encrypted before transfer to the StoneFly facility, where it is stored in a fully redundant, synchronously mirrored StoneFly storage design with over two hundred terabytes of currently available capacity, and immediate scalability to three petabytes. The full configuration is housed in a monitored datacenter facility with peered, multi-homed connectivity to major telecommunications carriers. Continuous uptime is ensured by multi-megawatt generators, fire suppression systems, and over 7000 tons of cooling capacity.

In case of any loss of access to data at the local site, customers can gain immediate control of their volumes at the remote location. This enables administrators to quickly redirect application servers to the volumes, or begin a restore process.

StoneFly has a flexible set of restore and recovery methods at an administrator's disposal. If local network connectivity permits, StoneFly can support restore of large datasets at near gigabit speeds. For slower connections, or very large datasets, a recovery appliance can be delivered to the customer, who can then restore data to the local appliance, or use in production if necessary.

A multi-layered recovery approach is also possible, where critical volumes are brought online for immediate access, and less important volumes are replicated back to the local site over time. With the flexibility of the CDC service, StoneFly can meet recovery time objective (RTO) that you have set for any aspect of your business.

The CDC service can be an affordable alternative to tape-based approaches for companies lacking a comprehensive backup plan or with no off-site archiving provision for their current backup strategy.

Tape-based backup and archiving strategies have significant costs beyond the initial investment in tape library hardware and ongoing tape vaulting costs. Administrators must be ready to manage tape rotation (e.g., GFS schemes), handle tape library and backup software support, ensure tape integrity, and manage a manual recovery process when data is lost.

The CDC approach instead integrates directly with an existing SAN storage investment, so that the centrally managed data pool is automatically synchronized with a remote facility. Individual file recovery (user error, deletion) can be handled using the local storage system’s snapshot capabilities, while critical site failures can be overcome by restoring data from the remote archive. CDC thus solves the traditional backup and archiving portions of the data protection problem, while ensuring data continuity for disaster scenarios.

With CDC, businesses no longer need to choose between short-term cost-savings and long-term data continuity and disaster planning. Implementing a data continuity plan using the CDC service can in fact reduce costs by achieving a simpler solution to existing data protection problems, while mitigating compelling risks to survival.