Why capacity-based licensing is gone
StrongLink is the ultimate heterogeneous storage management software solution with advanced technologies for intelligent data management across local, network, and cloud storage. Large IT organizations hate licensing software for capacity for one simple reason: data grows exponentially—a fact over which they often have little or no control. And they have even less influence on the license price, which steadily increases with the amount of data. This affects the product range for storage, backup, archiving, replication, data management, data monitoring, and data movement. Software providers love software licenses that can be billed based on capacity. The approach is the same for most providers: an inexpensive entry-level system and expensive extensions once the company has decided on a manufacturer. With each extension, the term is extended. The classic vendor lock-in. In the cloud age, another component determines the price: performance. Licensing network bandwidth adds further complexity to the licensing jungle. Not only is bandwidth licensed based on the cumulative amount of data transmitted over the network. It also licenses the maximum amount of data that can be transferred over the network at any given time. Such licensing is typically based on bits per second. If more data is to be transported in the same period, the license must be extended. Sounds reasonable and fair for most IT departments. As always, the trick lies in the complexity. Software license tied to the hardware. Dedicated software license for each switch. Software license for monitoring. Software license for backup based on data volume or optional services to be backed up (!= clients). Licenses for central administration. Transfer path licenses. Licenses for cloud storage and additional licenses for movements (uploads, moves, downloads, etc.). Licenses for processor cores (which can get expensive for an Oracle database on an AMD server with 64 cores – per CPU!). Licenses for virtual instances, which can quickly become unpredictable with containers. Etc. etc.Generally, these licenses are also asynchronous. For example, it is much cheaper to upload data to the cloud than to retrieve it again. We're talking about data lock-in here. StrongBox Data Solutions aims to make the management of capacity-based licensing transparent and automated with StrongLink. For the development of the StrongLink Autonomous Data Management solution, all forms of capacity-based metering licenses were therefore eliminated as a central design principle of a scale-out architecture. StrongLink does not have capacity licensing and never will. With StongLink, only the performance a company needs to manage its workflows is licensed. Prices do not change over time. This simplifies budgeting. The license is calculated based on four simple variables: What is the performance of a node? How many nodes are there per site? How many sites are there? Is tape storage involved? For example, we refer to an instance of StrongLink that becomes a client on a server or VM as a star or StrongLink node. The license quantity of such a star node (star license) depends on the number of CPU cores in this node that are allocated to the system. For lighter workflows and simpler use cases, a smaller number of CPU cores would also be used and licensed. Heavier or more complex workflows with higher system requirements can be assigned a larger number of CPU cores to increase node performance. Here, the licensing costs are also higher.The second component of the StrongLink licensing model is to determine whether more than one star node, e.g. B. for HA or additional performance requirements, can be combined in one configuration. We then speak of a constellation. With its scale-out architecture, StrongLink can be deployed with three or more nodes. StrongLink can be expanded to any number of nodes to meet performance requirements.The question of the number of geographical locations that, for example, B. for DR or other replication use cases is easy to answer. From two locations or StrongLink constellations, we speak of a galaxy. The last variable is the support of tape libraries. This is an optional add-on since not everyone needs tape storage. For those who do, the ability to seamlessly expand their flash and disk-based storage with local tape libraries without capacity limitations offers a tremendous advantage. "Predictable, consistent pricing makes it easy to plan for the future without surprises. This works even when it is difficult to predict how quickly the data will grow over time. "Just as a network switch vendor doesn't charge you a variable rate based on the amount of data flowing through your lines, StrongLink licensing allows you to control your storage costs without adding another capacity tax to your environment," says Floyd Christofferson, CEO of StrongBox Data Solutions. The ability to automate policy-based data placement across various storage types, including tape and cloud, doesn't help organizations completely break away from closed vendor or data ecosystems. However, it helps them avoid being further penalized for the growth of their data.Want to see for yourself how you can manage your data and storage resources more efficiently and effectively? Arrange a proof of concept (PoC) with us.
Case study: How ReiseBank reduces its TCO with Cristie and PoINT
Banks and insurance companies process large amounts of data in countless transactions every day. This is also the case with ReiseBank AG – Germany’s market leader in the travel payment business. In addition to so-called hot data (data that is actively worked with), a company like ReiseBank also generates a lot of cold (inactive) data. These must be secured in accordance with the law, but also quickly available again if needed.Dipl.-Ing. Jörg-Peter Levin is Key Account Manager & Manager Operations at Cristie Data GmbH: “Large amounts of inactive data are taking up more and more storage space on ReiseBank AG’s network drives. This is not just a major cost factor. It also causes significant delays in backups or in the event of a disaster recovery. Valuable time for a company whose business model is primarily based on real-time transactions." The financial institution was looking for a solution for the automated archiving of data that no longer needs to be accessed or is only accessed rarely. It should preferably be a software-based solution. "Our many years of experience with numerous banks and insurance companies helped us quickly recommend the right solution," emphasizes Cristie Managing Director Volker Wester. The outsourcing process, and thus the relief of the primary storage, is to run rule-based in the background. Access to archived data should remain transparent for users without changing their usual workflows. “It quickly became clear to us that only a few providers were suitable. The choice quickly fell on the PoINT Storage Manager,” explains Jörg-Peter Levin. The Data & Storage Management solution from PoINT Software & Systems GmbH in Siegen is particularly suitable for migrating and archiving large amounts of unstructured data to secondary or archive storage in multi-tiered storage architectures. After the test phase, a two-tiered storage architecture was chosen. The specialist departments continue to access their data via the usual applications. With PoINT Storage Manager, the directory entries remain on the primary storage system. The file contents are moved to the archive storage. This procedure completely preserves the original file system structure. When a file is accessed, it is automatically read from the archive storage and transferred to the application. Moving the file contents to the archive storage relieves the load on the storage network and primary storage. Hans Hohenwarter, Team Leader System Operations at ReiseBank AG, is relieved: “We are now looking forward to the growth in data volume in particular with a relaxed attitude. With the new architecture and the PoINT Storage Manager, we are well positioned. We can also address rising costs, e.g. B. for fast storage media." Another advantage of the new architecture is the significant reduction in backup and recovery times. The rapid recovery of strategically important data is business-critical for service providers such as ReiseBank AG. In addition, existing resources could continue to be used. The Storage Manager supports storage media regardless of manufacturer. Due to its flexible configuration and easy expansion options, Cristie Data GmbH and ReiseBank AG have found a long-term solution for storage and data management with the PoINT Storage Manager. Advantages of the solution at a glance: Immediate relief of expensive primary storage while maintaining unchanged file system structure. Faster access and processing times while simultaneously reducing the required bandwidth in the storage network. Drastic reduction in backup and recovery times. Efficient file lifecycle management.
Press release: GRAU DATA and Cristie Data join forces in the field of long-term archiving solutions
Schwäbisch Gmünd – Niedernberg September 2019 – GRAU DATA and Cristie Data have entered into a technology partnership. The aim of the joint activities is the widespread development of new solutions and related services to solve the challenges of long-term archiving and data management in companies. AI-based technologies will also be used. In addition, technology partner Cristie Data will also take on the role of distributor for the new solutions. “Long-term archiving has been a part of companies for practically all their lives, and long-term archives must also be able to keep pace with each new generation of technology. It is important for companies to have solutions that are audit-proof and compliant on the one hand, and offer long-term technological security on the other. With Cristie Data, we have the ideal partner to jointly develop such solutions,” explains Herbert Grau, Managing Director of GRAU DATA, about the alliance with Cristie Data. “Orchestrating their data is becoming an increasing challenge for companies. This is not only due to the enormous growth in data, but also to the different technologies and file systems used," explains Volker Wester, Managing Director at Cristie Data. “To regain or maintain control over the data, management can be done using software that automates this task. That's why Grau Data, with its proven technologies, is the key for us to organize and archive our customers' data in a future-proof manner." About GRAU DATA GRAU DATA specializes in archiving technologies with a complete software product family that enables flexible and highly scalable archiving of corporate data. The company is headquartered in Schwäbisch Gmünd and is represented directly or indirectly through partners in all major European countries and in the USA. Numerous well-known companies and public institutions use GRAU DATA’s software solutions. (www.graudata.com) Company contact: GRAU DATA GmbH – Harry Weik – Marie-Curie-Straße 19 – 73529 Schwäbisch Gmünd – +49 7171 187 240 – harry.weik@graudata.com – www.graudata.com About Cristie Data Cristie was founded in 1969 in Stroud, England. The German Cristie was founded in 1994. Since then, we have been working with storage, backup and disaster recovery solutions. Our more than 300,000 installations worldwide encourage us in our actions. Since the end of the 1990s, we have been increasingly concerned with the topic of data management. In addition to data storage, this includes file retrieval, email archiving, storage management, long-term storage and HSM. Another focus is on metadata management. Over time, we have not only built up our experience in these areas, but have also strengthened our portfolio around these topics. Company contact: Cristie Data GmbH – Marco Vögele – Nordring 53-55 – 63843 Niedernberg – Marco.voegele@cristie.de – www.cristi.de Press contact: TK-Kommunikation – Thilo Christ – Feldstraße 1 – 84405 Dorfen – +49 8081 9546-17 – thilo.christ@tc-communications.de – www.tc-communications.de
TSM Explorer
Do you use IBM Spectrum Protect, formerly TSM, as your data protection solution? Then TSMExplorer is the ideal addition to your environment. TSMExplorer is a simple and convenient solution for managing and monitoring IBM Spectrum Protect. The solution enables the administration of multiple Spectrum Protect servers via single sign-on and completely replaces the standard dsmadmc console management. TSMExplorer is a modern web-based solution that allows you to monitor and administer your Spectrum Protect server quickly, easily, and from anywhere. TSMExplorer is available for Linux, Windows, AIX, Mac OSX, and Solaris. The TSMExplorer agent is available for Linux, Unix, and Windows systems. As your central contact in the DA-CH region, we are available to answer all your technical and sales questions. NIEDERNBERG LOCATION: Cristie Data GmbH Nordring 53-55 63843 Niedernberg Germany
New DG-Mail version for Notes 10.0
Search for notes in dg mail: If the dg mail for Notes product is in use, the WebClient now offers users the option of searching the archive for personal emails. To do this, settings must be made in the dg connect WCF configuration file and in the corresponding user objects in Active Directory. With the appropriate authorization, it is also possible to search for emails in all archived mailboxes. This authorization to search all mailboxes must be granted individually by the administrator for the corresponding users in the dg hyparchive UserAdmin. As an alternative to searching, it is also possible to navigate through a hierarchical display of the archived emails. Notes emails are stored in dg hyparchive in Notes' own NSF format. In addition, the first 32 KB of the email text are included in the index data. By default, the email is displayed in the WebClient based on the index data. Alternatively, the entire email can be converted to PDF and displayed on the fly. To make the switch, at least one Notes client must be installed on the web server and Oracle's OutsideIn technology must also be licensed for use in the dg hyparchive web client. Displaying IBM Notes emails: Notes emails are saved in dg hyparchive in Notes's own NSF format. In addition, the first 32 KB of the email text is included in the index data. By default, the email is displayed in the web client based on the index data. Alternatively, the entire email can be converted to PDF and displayed on the fly. To make the switch, at least one Notes client must be installed on the web server and Oracle's OutsideIn technology must also be licensed for use in the dg hyparchive web client. System monitoring: Informs the administrator of system-critical errors. Improved usability for administrators and end users: Administration database: The user interface for configuring default settings and setting templates has been revised. dg Mail logging has been revised and expanded. Request processing: If request processing fails, it is automatically restarted. Only after all attempts have failed is the request saved with the status "Error." When reloading, it is more clearly indicated whether it is a file attachment or an email that is being reloaded. Search: Administrators can initiate search queries from the administration database. Reloading emails to restore entire mailboxes has been optimized and documented. The access rights check for searching across all mailboxes has been revised.
New BMR versions available
TBMR is available for Windows version 8.1.4. Operating systems from Windows 7 to Windows Server 2016 are supported. Support for older operating systems is available upon request. TSM/Spectrum Protect Client support from version 5.5.0.6 to 8.1.2.0. TSM/Spectrum Protect Server support from version 5.5.0.6 to 8.1.2. TBMR for Linux version 8.1.3 available. Supported are x86 64-bit servers with SLES 10 to SLES 12 SP2, RHEL 4.x to RHEL 7.3 and Ubuntu 14.04.4, 14.04.5 or 16.04.1. TSM/Spectrum Protect Client support from version 5.5.0.6 to 8.1.0.2. TSM/Spectrum Protect Server support from version 5.5.0.6 to 7.1.7.0. CBMR for Windows version 8.1.2 available. Operating systems from Windows 7 to Windows Server 2016 are supported. Support for older operating systems on request. TSM/Spectrum Protect Client support from version 5.5.0.6 to 8.1.2.0. TSM/Spectrum Protect Server support from version 5.5.0.6 to 8.1.2.0. CBMR for Linux version 7.5.1 available x86 64-bit servers with SLES 10 to SLES 12 SP2 and RHEL 4.x to RHEL 7.2 are supported. TSM/Spectrum Protect Client support from version 5.5.0.6 to 7.1.6.2. TSM/Spectrum Protect Server support from version 5.5.0.6 to 7.1.6.0 NBMR available for Windows version 8.1.3. Operating systems from Windows Server 2008 to Windows Server 2016 are supported. Windows 7 and Windows 10 support upon request. EMC NetWorker Client support from version 7.5.4 to 9.2.0. EMC NetWorker Server Support from version 7.5.x to 9.2.x NBMR available for Linux version 8.1.1 Supported are x86 64-bit servers with SLES 10 to SLES 12 SP2, RHEL 4.x to RHEL 7.3, and Ubuntu 14.04.4, 14.04.5, or 16.04.1. EMC NetWorker Client support from version 7.5.4 to 9.1.0. EMC NetWorker Server support from version 7.5.x to 9.1.x.
Cristie Project Archive – CPA
The CPA provides each user or user group with a directory on the network, the so-called "IN folder." The "IN folder" is located on the CPA server and represents the gateway to the archive. The user collects the files to be swapped out and moves them to the "IN folder." This process can be implemented manually or with appropriate software. The final file copied into the directory is the so-called CPA trigger. The CPA trigger is a file that indicates to the CPA that swapping out the files can begin. As soon as the CPA trigger is detected in the directory, the CPA processes the files. They are combined into a project container and encrypted. The containers are then stored in the connected swap space. After the container with the project files has been stored in the swap area, the user receives a receipt. This can be sent via email or stored in a specified directory. This receipt serves as proof of successful swapping, and it also allows the files to be restored from any location. In addition to various other information, the document contains the following: For further information, you can download our CPA fact sheet. If you are interested in CPA as a service, please feel free to contact us.