Networkable storage or online storage is generally provided by optical disc (like CD, DVD, UDO, Blu-ray and Magneto Optical) or magnetic disk (a hard drive or a array of hard drives called 'RAID' or Redundant Array of Independent Drives). Nearline storage is provided by a robotic media storage system (library or '"jukebox') with removable media like like CD, DVD, UDO, Blu-ray , Magneto Optical and tape. Offline storage pertains to media removed from a media storage system and stored on a rack or shelf. Online storage represents the fastest access (and cost). Nearline storage provides a reasonable access time with the added feature of archiving. Cost is less then magnetic and has the added benefit of full data protection. Offline storage is the least expensive in hardware and software costs, but requires human intervention and is the slowest method. A mix of all three storage methods is the most effective storage strategy.

Types of Networkable Storage:

Direct Attached Storage

Direct Attached Storage refers to external data storage systems that connect directly to a workstation, laptop and servers. Interfaces used include USB 2.0, 1394 FireWire, SCSI, iSCSI and eSATA. This is unlike a network connection or Network Attached Device in that they rely on network topography to function. Direct Attached Storage uses the resources of the parent system to manage the drives and data traffic. Direct Attached Devices can be networked as long as the parent system is on the network and a "file share" is assigned to the Direct Attached Storage device. The attached computer manages the network connection whereas a NAS device has its own built in 'thin-server' that manages the entire device.

Network Attached Storage

The term 'thin-server' has become somewhat passé now with extremely powerful computers in very small packages. A NAS storage server is easily converted to a full blown network server. Typically the NAS device is running Linux as its operating system although Windows is also used. Linux is more popular because of cost factors. This is particularly true in storage device applications. The storage server is not being required to run client applications: just store data. Several NAS devices we carry can act as a 'LAMP' web server, iTunes server or FTP server running Linux applications. A 'LAMP' web server features Linux, Apache web server, MySQL and PhP. More then 80% of the web servers in the world run on LAMP so it's a great product in a small package.

DVD CD Disc Caching Technology

HOW IT WORKS

Each CD or DVD is automatically copied from the tower's DVD-ROM drive just once (called “mirroring”) to the internal hard drive(s) inside the tower. The CD or DVD image is immediately available to all users, under the control of your network operating system security settings. Once loaded, each individual CD or DVD volume appears as a file folder to network users. After mirroring, the original CD or DVD can be stored in a secure place for protection against theft.

Features:

  • Uses less power and takes up less space.
  • CDs and DVDs are returned after being mirrored to be stored away for safe keeping.
  • CD and DVD images are “read only” - once stored they cannot be modified in any way.
  • Optional fault tolerant RAID protection.
  • Optional CD-R or DVD-R writer to burn new CDs or DVDs or copies.

ROM Towers

DVD-ROM towers provide fast and easy network access to CD, DVD and Blu-ray...without the typical headaches associated with managing network storage. Our systems feature the latest high speed DVD-ROM drives (or optional Blu-ray) and Network Attached Storage (NAS) technology. Letting you quickly and easily plug directly into your LAN. This is an ideal network attached storage solution when the DVD/CD-ROM publisher prohibits copying of the data. Or when the discs online need to be changed frequently. Making it a popular choice for libraries, schools and law offices. Please keep in mind these units can not break encrypted or copyright protected discs. Primary disadvantage is limited storage. A physical reader drive is required for each disc.

Optical Disc Libraries

Media storage systems provide scalability and reliability. Jukeboxes or libraries allow for near line storage of digital assets (video, photographs, audio), document storage and archiving, disaster recovery, medical Imaging, and email archiving. On the legal forefront is Optical disc WORM technology, 'Write Once, Read Many' optical discs which guarantee the data is not corrupted or overwritten. Corporate email archiving and document storage/archiving fit perfectly into the WORM optical disc solution. Redundancy can be guaranteed both locally or by having a second mirroring Optical disc storage library in a remote location networked over a WAN. This system provides a searchable database for easy access to an almost unlimited amount of data. Mirroring the first library provides both back up protection and disaster recovery. A branch office can have a library archiving the day to day data with the second library at the corporate headquarters enabling a better ability to audit records and preserve data.

You can also add additonal storage to your desktop or laptop computer with Direct Attached Storage. Connect with USB, Firewire and eSATA. Choose from JBOD (Just a Bunch Of Drives), RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) and Disk Spanning.