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Disk library method fills gap where backup tape falls short

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For decades, tape has been the mainstay of regular backup and recovery functions, with price and portability keeping it from falling into obsolescence. However, disk-based backup methods have been gaining wide acceptance, especially in areas where speed and reliability are critical.

'Backup-to-disk is an option for enterprises that want a backup and recovery solution that can meet the service levels required by their businesses. It is faster and more consistent. Most importantly, it allows companies to back up at any time,' said EMC Hong Kong general manager Gabriel Leung.

Traditional tape-based backup and recovery requires long backup windows and affects application availability. In many instances, it cannot meet critical recovery time objectives.

There is also a risk level associated with the traditional tape method. There is no assurance that data can be backed up completely or fully recovered because tape media is highly vulnerable to humidity and physical damage.

According to Meta Group, backup and recovery remains a big problem at many organisations. Coping with failed backup, tape drive failures and media errors consumes nearly two thirds of the efforts involved in storage management.

Disk-based backup is designed to eradicate this problem. Called 'disk library', the solution is based on disk drives but acts as a tape device.

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