Austin Powder Improves Data Backup and Disaster Recovery with FalconStor NSS

Strategic Insights -

Austin Powder, a leading manufacturer of industrial explosives and accessories, has improved its data backup and disaster recovery processes by implementing FalconStor Network Storage Server (NSS) in its Microsoft Hyper-V virtual server environment. The goal was to create a highly efficient, virtualized pool of storage for its virtual servers, improve data backup and disaster recovery processes, and lay the foundation for a remote disaster recovery site in the near future.

Key Takeaways:

  • Austin Powder's network administrator, Chris Benco, reported a significant improvement in data backup process with FalconStor NSS, allowing for the recovery of an entire machine with applications up and running within minutes.
  • The company reduced its server deployment time to less than an hour and increased virtual server performance, creating a true testing environment that allows for the cloning of virtual servers in minutes.
  • Austin Powder considered solutions from 11 other vendors, including Dell EqualLogic, before choosing FalconStor NSS due to its flexibility, customization, and control.
  • The company uses two FalconStor NSS appliances for its primary storage area network (SAN) and stores three terabytes of data from its 60 remote sites and three data centers.
  • Austin Powder plans to deploy the WAN-optimized remote replication capability of FalconStor NSS when the new disaster recovery site is established.
  • The company's goal is to create a highly efficient, virtualized pool of storage for its virtual servers, improve its data backup and disaster recovery processes, and lay the foundation for a remote disaster recovery site in the near future.

Statistics:

  • Three terabytes of data are stored on FalconStor NSS appliances from 60 remote sites and three data centers.
  • 11 other vendors, including Dell EqualLogic, were considered before choosing FalconStor NSS.
  • 2 FalconStor NSS appliances are used for Austin Powder's primary storage area network (SAN).
  • The company reduced its server deployment time to less than an hour.
  • Austin Powder's data backup process was significantly improved with FalconStor NSS, allowing for the recovery of an entire machine with applications up and running within minutes.

Sources:

  • [Austin Powder Press Release, No Date]
  • [Information Technology Newsweekly, 2010, via VerticalNews.com]