Gartner Research

Architecting Storage for Data Protection and Recovery

Published: 28 July 2014

ID: G00263848

Analyst(s): Werner Zurcher

Summary

Data growth is overwhelming traditional data protection methods. A more modern storage architecture using RAID, replication, deduplication, cloud storage and, sometimes, tape will protect and recover large amounts of data quickly. To guide the transformation, Gartner provides a five-step process.

Table Of Contents

Summary of Findings

Guidance Context

  • Problem Statement
  • Guidance Applicability

Gartner Definitions

The Gartner Approach

The Guidance Framework

  • Prework: Research, Analyze and Classify
    • Build a Cross-Functional Team
    • Inventory and Analyze the Existing IT Information, Data and Storage Types
    • Define Coherent Data Classes for Data Storage and Data Protection
    • Define Data Retention Classes, Policies and Approaches
    • Develop the Storage Components of an IT Services Catalog
  • Step 1: Protect Data From Infrastructure Failures
    • Build HA Into Primary Storage
    • Remove SPOFs in the Storage and Storage Access Paths
    • Differences Between the Data Classes: Addressing Infrastructure Failures
  • Step 2: Protect Data From Corruption and User Errors
    • Use Data Snapshots Whenever Possible
    • Ensure Data Consistency in the Snapshots
    • Use VM Image Snapshots for System, File and Perhaps Database Recovery
    • Create Separate, Medium-Term Data Backup Copies
    • Backups on Disk
    • Backups on Tape
    • Backups to the Cloud
    • Differences Between the Data Classes: Data Corruption and User Errors
  • Step 3: Protect Data From Site Failures
    • Data Replication/Transport Alternatives
    • Tape Shipping/Vaulting Off-Site
    • Newer Alternatives for Off-Site Data Protection
    • Other Approaches
    • It's Imperative: Test the Disaster Recovery Environment!
    • Differences Between the Data Classes: Site Disaster Data Protection
  • Step 4: Actively Manage Aging Data
    • Create Storage Tiers
    • Keep Data Only as Long as It Is Needed
    • Use Archiving Software to Find and Migrate Old, Inactive Data to Secondary Storage
    • Secondary Storage Choices for Archive Data
    • Assure Archived Data Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability
  • Step 5: Implement the New Data Protection Architecture
    • Implement Key Practices First
    • Implement the Rest
    • Ongoing Recommended Management Practices
  • Follow Up

Risks and Pitfalls

Conclusion

  • Appendix

Notes

Gartner Recommended Reading

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