THE DATA PROTECTION AND CONTINUOUS BACKUP SOFTWARE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND CORPORATIONS

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- Tony Lock, Senior Analyst at Bloor Research The fast advancement of internet communication results exponential increase in information data available to companies and individuals. This rapid growth of data in turn pushed the making of large capacity disks to satisfy the needs for easy to use and data-safe storage practice. Massive data stored in large capacity disks declares the end of old style tape storage era, at the same time demands new data management and protection methods. More advanced techniques of data protection and management have become the new trend of high technology.

According to Mike Wytenus, senior director for EMC Clariion global storage, the growth is so great that SMBs (small to medium sized company of size between 500 to 5000 employees) are consuming storage hardware, software and services at twice the rate of current large enterprises, creating a $22 billion market. Also noticed by IDC, an Italy market research company, the worldwide spending on storage software reached $7.9 billion in 2004, up 16.1 percent over the previous year.

The huge market needs in data storage and protection create the opportunity for XLink. During the ten plus years, on the path to perfect its NFS products, XLink has built up the experience on working with Microsoft Windows and UNIX system environment. XLink’s highly experienced engineering team endorses it’s capture of this opportunity.

Besides the experience, XLink also maintains the up-to-date expertise on Microsoft Windows file systems and data infrastructure. XLink’s in-house developed Snapshot Technology proves to be innovative and unique in both user graphic interface design and application functionalities. It sets the solid foundation for all IsaStor series products.

B. New Technologies Used in XLink IsaStor Series

The development of high capacity disks means not only more data can be stored fast and easily, but also that data backup and management can be done directly on the disk. This new characteristic in modern information technology leads to the new approaches in handling data storage and management.

XLink Technology Inc. 1546 Centre Pointe Dr. Milpitas, CA 95035, USA Tel:(408)2638201 Fax:(408)2638203 Email:[email protected] Web:www.xlink.com

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XLink’s IsaStor series products, targeting the data protection and management market, developed IsaStor series products. Build on most current technology, have following focuses:

1. Application Aware – The IsaStor products have the intelligence to decide the best ways to handle application data accordingly. For example, MS WORD creates files differently from the SQL data base application. IsaStor products, when processing file backup or data replication, will use different methods to handle these files for data replication, file backup or file restore. This application aware feature ensures maximum file accuracy.

2. Point-in-time Backup – The IsaStor products are built with advanced Snapshot technology. This technology plays a significant role in file backup on some popular applications, such as SQL server and email servers. This is because these type of applications require consistency in file creation time. When there is mismatch in file creation time, a backupped file cannot be used for file restore. For example, a group of 1000 files are to be backed up at 1:00pm. It takes one hour to complete the backup process. The IsaStor products will apply their point-in-time technique and create time stamp on all 1000 files as 1:00pm. So instead of last file showing 2:00pm for file creation, it also shows 1:00pm to keep consistency with the rest of the batch. When the files are to be restored, they are considered to be created at the same point-in-time.

3. Continuous Data Protection – The innovative Data Recovery Bin

is one ingenious creation of XLink engineers. Built on the Snap Shot technology, the Data Recovery Bin saves modified data in real time. All files modified at any time are to be saved. With Data Recovery Bin set on your system, no data is to be lost no matter the change of file is made by intention or mistake.

4. Disk Based Backup – The disk based backup eliminates the draw backs of the old style tape backup which usually requires manual intervention by IT personnel and much often face the problem of damaged tape and costly tests to ensure data backup accuracy. Disk based backup copies files directly to the hard disks on remote or local computer systems. It is a process of backup with reliable data accuracy plus fast and easy restore. Disk based backup supports the future file search technology.

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5. Self-service File Management – The new way of disk based backup brings also the freedom to end users to backup and restore files at ease, even without the help of an IT personnel. The

advantage of this self-service file management for file backup and restore is more than user-friendly. Losing data due to human error or natural disasters can be minimized. In addition, self-service file management is cost-effective. Not only companies can cut cost on keeping IT professionals, without IT personnel intervention, work place productivity can be increased significantly.

C. XLink Advanced Data Protection Solutions

The Snapshot structure developed in house by XLink is the core technology for the IsaStor series products.

Because snapshots are taken at each point-in-time and on the transaction level, real time file replication and open file backup are all become possible. The innovative creation of Data recovery Bin incorporated in the EzOpenBackup Plus! product maximizes this Snapshot technology.

The IsaStor series of products claim to be the unmatched solution that brings effective server availability and true data protection to users.

The IsaStor series products currently consist three categories of solutions: A) Server high availability

B) Centralized data protection C) Desktop disk-based backup

Individual product features in each category are summarized below:

Category A : Server High Availability

Products included in this category are: 1. ClusterReplica MSSQL edition 2. ClusterReplica Standard edition 3. ClusterReplica Enterprise edition

ClusterReplica binds two Windows 2000/XP/2003 machines into one cluster system with automatic failover capabilities which is critical in ensuring server 24x7 availability and disaster recovery.

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1) ClusterReplica MSSQL Edition

• Real time, open file data replication – The special design of MS SQL database data replication is based on its file creation

requirements. When a database file is created, many forms and tables are involved. So, if one file in the database is modified, all related forms and tables must be updated. This design guarantees successful database data replication and restore.

• Automatic failover and user-defined failback – ClusterReplica software will monitor the systems in the cluster system and the pre-defined services to determine if the cluster system is in the situation that a failover is required.

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After a failover, the original Primary station becomes the new Secondary station. Manually switch the roles of Primary and

Secondary stations can be done to allow users keep the original setting of the cluster systems.

• Automatic MS SQL database file replication configuration – This turnkey feature brings convenience to those who have the need for cluster servers, but don't know enough to configure the MS SQL server themselves and are holding back on spending money on professional IT help.

• Support clustering model of active/report and active/standby – Besides the standard model of active/standby of clustering,

ClusterReplica also supports the active/report model in which the SQL server on the Secondary station is in read only mode so that users can use it for file checkup and report generation.

2) ClusterReplica Standard Edition

• Web server and application server high availability – Because of its general-purpose aspect of clustering and data replication, the standard edition of ClusterReplica suits best for server high available needs of web server and all other types of application.

• Real time, open file data replication – The special design of MS SQL database data replication is based on its file creation

requirements. When a database file is created, many forms and tables are involved. So, if one file in the database is modified, all related forms and tables must be updated. This design guarantees successful database data replication and restore.

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• Shared folder failover – It is the additional feature included in this edition of ClusterReplica. Failover Share Folder is designed for Windows network drive sharing on the cluster server.

If you have drives or folders shared out for network usage (through Windows "map network drive"), you will need to setup this

configuration to ensure the drives or folders to be properly shared out on the Secondary server when the Failover occurs.

• Support clustering model of active/active and active/standby – Besides the standard model of active/standby of clustering,

ClusterReplica also supports the active/active model in which both servers can respond to clients’ service request so that the objective of network traffic loadbalance is realized.

3) ClusterReplica Enterprise Edition

The Enterprise Edition of ClusterReplica combines the Standard and MSSQL editions for users all application server clustering needs. It will provide automatic MS SQL database file replication configuration and allow shared folder failover. This edition of ClusterReplica is the perfect solution in satisfying the needs of which the SQL and Web servers are running on the same system.

Category B : Centralized Data Protection

Product included in this category is:

1. XLink Data Protection Server for Windows XP/2000/2003

Data Protection Servers are created to serve the data protection needs of sub-divisions of large corporations and small businesses. This locally centralized disk-based backup network allows clients direct backup and restore files. Being disk-based backup, any previous versions of a file can be retrieved promptly. The centralized management on local network empowers a sub-division manager or a small business owner with full control of the clients’ access right for security and privacy purposes.

User self-maintenance of back-upped files increases business productivity effectively. Data Protection Server software is a cost-effective solution for secured file backup and storage. Xlink Data Protection Server is such a software.

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Figure 1. XLink Data Protection Server connections

(1) The end users can either be the clients to file/application servers, or the clients to an Xlink Data Protection Server.

(2) File/application servers are the clients of Xlink Data Protection Server

1) XLink Data Protection Server

Xlink Data Protection Server requires installation of the server application (DPS) to a Windows (2003/2000/XP) system and installation of the client application (DPC) on all clients systems of Windows (2003/2000/XP) for connection to the Data Protection Server.

The double layer of data protection:

1) Modified files on DPC are replicated in real time to DPS so that there is always a copy of all most current files of each DPC on the DPS 2) DPS performs scheduled checkup of files in individual workspaces to ensure data integrity of all back-upped files.

The main purpose of Xlink Data Protection Server is to provide a centralized disk based backup space to clients for centralized file backup and restore. This centralized control improves user file security and file management. The double layer, in addition, implements the grand design structure of Xlink Data Protection Server that safeguards all your important files and documents.

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Besides all mentioned qualities, the unique design of Xlink Data Protection Server has following advantages:

1. Not only Windows 2003 server systems can serve as the Data Protection server – Xlink Data Protection Server supports Windows 2003 servers, Windows 2000 server and professional, and Windows XP systems.

By including Windows 2000 and XP systems in its supported platform, the software promises its adoptability to those who do not have the means to get the most current systems to run Data Protection Server.

2. Not only Windows 2003/2000 server systems can be the clients for such Data Protection server – Windows XP professional/home, 2000 professional can all be used as the client for Xlink Data Protection Server.

This extension on platform support provides practicality for individual users to become the clients of a Data Protection Server. So, besides file servers, MS SQL servers and all other application servers, individual user systems can also be connected to the Data Protection Server as its clients.

3. Centralized file access control – A designated IT personnel can restrict client access right to the files saved on the Data Protection Server. This centralized file access control is the best approach for group project file version control.

4. Space efficient – Because only the modified files are replicated to the DPS, Xlink Data Protection Server requires smaller user space for each client’s backup. This space efficiency also leads to fewer mistakes in backup and fast restore.

5. End user self-service backup and restore – Multiple versions of data are kept for a specified period of time in the workspace for each client. Users have the full access right to their back-upped files at all times. The simple file restore procedure also allows users to get needed files without the help of IT attention.

User direct connection to Data Protection Server proves to be more efficient for both file backup and restore.

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Category C : Desktop Disk-based Backup

Product included in this category is:

1. EzOpenBackup Plus! for Windows XP/2000/2003

Backup to local disk Backup to remote data center

EzOpen

Backup Plus

Restore to desired location

Backup to removable drive

1) EzOpenBackup Plus!

EzOpenBackup Plus! offers a unique automatic, real-time, continuous backup feature besides supporting the traditional scheduled backup. With capability to continuously save all changes in a file in real time, EzOpenBackup Plus! meets the needs of MS Office and Visual Studio users of constantly going back to previous versions of a file so that overwritten or accidentally deleted lines in a source code file can be easily retrieved at any time.

The real-time backup function of EzOpenBackup Plus! is based on the block-level style of backup that saves only the modified portion of a file. New data is

automatically saved in the innovative Data Recovery Bin of EzOpenBackup Plus! not to be mixed with the scheduled backup files.

Product Features:

• Easy to configure a backup plan.

• Real-time, continuous back up using snapshot technology.

• Back up open/locked files in point-in-time way like any leading traditional backup software

• Keep up to 999 versions of old backed files. • Restore files by Windows explorer

• Handles files of specific applications, such as Microsoft Office, VB, VC and more, by filtering out unwanted temporary files.

• Undo accidentally overwritten files

• Maintain a point-in-time image of source directories in an achieve location

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D. How is XLink IsaStor Products Different From Others

XLink makes use of its engineering expertise intelligently. Affordability, easy to use and reliability set the XLink R&D objective.

IsaStor Series products are developed under such guidelines.

• Affordable software solution with Simplicity: Designed for all levels of computer professionals, the Windows based IsaStor series products are the most cost-effective data protection and management software solution. End users can have full control of their data files to backup and retrieve files with ease. No data should be lost due to human error or natural disasters.

• Data protection and security: By integrating the Snap-Shot technology with data replication functionalities, the IsaStor series products replicate data in real time and continuously. This ability provides the highest data accuracy and protection in file backup and archiving.

• Server and data availability: The cluster products of the IsaStor products are

equipped with capabilities of automatic Failover and Failback. Failure in either system or one of the applications can be detected by XLink’s cluster products and Failover is to be activated. This feature the demand for service and data with 24/7 availability.

XLink’s technology expertise include: • Snapshot Technology

• Windows/UNIX file system and storage internal architecture • Networking protocol implementation

The Snapshot structure developed in house is the core technology for XLink’s new IsaStor Series products. This core technology expands the concepts of real-time file replication and open-file backup to Windows 2000/XP/2003 systems to allow business owners enjoy up-to-date technology without the extra spending on upgrading the system.

It is also this core technology that enables Xlink’s innovative Data Recovery Bin to save files not kept by Windows Recycle Bin.

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E. Who Is Using XLink Products

XLink Technology, Inc. (XLink) is a computer software development company located in the heart of silicon valley. XLink’s software expertise is in the Microsoft Windows based applications for network file sharing and, data storage and protection. Since its establishment, XLink Technology has been taking the steady growth with its well functioning products.

XLink’s NFS server software provides the key connection to Adeptech’s robot controller; and Omni NFS Gateway plays an essential role in HP’s rigorous NFS connectivity requirements and R&D projects. Intel Corp. enlisted XLink’s Omni-NFS Server as a testing tool for customers to test their IXP1200

processor. Other well known names that use XLink products include: • Boeing company

• IBM • Siemens

• Lockheed Martin • NASA Ames Research • Harvard University • Stanford University • CitiBank • FedEx • Motorola • Fujitsu to name only a few.

With its global distribution channels in Western Europe and Japan, XLink’s customers can be found worldwide.

Contact Information:

Grace Chen

Sales & Marketing Dept. Email:[email protected] Phone: 408-263-8201 x108 Fax: 408-263-8203 Technical Support Email:[email protected] Phone: 408-263-8201 Fax: 408-263-8203

THE DATA PROTECTION AND CONTINUOUS BACKUP SOFTWARE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND CORPORATIONS

Table of Contents

A. The Market And Opportunity

B. New Technologies Used in XLink IsaStor Series

C. XLink Advanced Data Protection Solutions

D. How is XLink IsaStor Products Different From Others

E. Who Is Using XLink Products