A Detailed Look At Data Replication Options For Disaster Recovery Planning

Abstract: As IT organizations are increasingly faced with more stringent SLAs, data replication has become a common component of many companies' data protection plans. This white paper defines six types of replication and looks at the advantages and drawbacks of each. It also provides an overview of factors (such as protocol and total cost of ownership) that should be taken into account when developing a replication strategy. This white paper is intended to provide a technical overview as well as high level considerations for IT professionals who are considering augmenting their infrastructure with a replication strategy.

Replication as part of data protection

For most companies, the difference between a solid data protection plan and a weak data protection plan can equate to hours of lost productivity, system downtime, lost data, disenchanted customers, decreased revenue…the list goes on. For this very reason, prudent organizations invest the resources necessary to ensure their IT infrastructure is built to withstand scenarios that range from small blips of downtime to natural disasters. Before computers, this perhaps meant keeping all important files in a fireproof area under lock and key. In today's world, it often involves replication of data.