CommunicAsia2015 X: Archiware--Data protection, Made in Germany

At the Made in Germany block, I was greeted by Julia Ries, Marketing Manager, who was manning the Archiware GmbH stall. Attractive Julia is also a good communicator, and soon my interest was aroused in the company’s data management and data protection product, Archiware P5.

Digital media files are the lifeblood of any company relying on them for revenue generation. Whether it’s new files or digital rushes that have just come into the facility, work-in-progress by the editor or media files that require archiving safely – unless multiple copies of content exist, even a simple failure or mishap can corrupt, or lose altogether, digital media.

Archiware P5 software is platform independent and aimed primarily at media and production companies. The latest product line includes – P5 Synchronize – Replicate data to ensure high availability – P5 Backup – Back-up server data to disk and tape – P5 Backup2Go – Back up desktop and laptop data to disk – P5 Archive – Move or migrate data offline to disk and tape.

DynamicDrivePool (The Netherlands-based Ardis Technologies manufactures the DynamicDrivePool/DDP series of Ethernet based SAN systems, with built-in Metadata Controller,  the Ardis Virtual File System, AVFS) and Archiware have teamed up to offer DDP with integrated professional back-up to LTO. It was a natural choice for DDP, as the leader in Ethernet based production storage to join forces with Archiware, the leader in easy to use professional data management software. Every DDP now comes with Archiware P5 pre-installed. The license for P5 Backup is included with the DDP hardware.

Each installation gains immediate professional grade Backup to LTO tape, the technology used by large corporations, banks and broadcasters worldwide. Tapes can easily be stored off-site for the highest security requirements and disaster recovery. The included P5 Backup license can be extended for use with tape libraries. Additionally, P5 Archive for migrating media offline can be activated simply by extending the license, no further installation necessary. P5 Synchronize is also available as extension for cloning DDP volumes for data availability. With no additional installation, complete workflow protection and long-term archiving can be achieved.

Upon request, the P5 Backup license will be sent to the customer, free of charge, and allows for backup to LTO using a single tape drive. An unlimited number of tapes can be written. P5 Backup keeps track of all tapes and files written. P5s Backup catalogue can be searched and browsed using a web browser. To connect the LTO tape drive to the DDP, an SAS card needs to be in the DDP. The DDP can be ordered with the SAS card installed, or the card can be ordered later and retrofitted. As hardware partner, Tandberg is the preferred LTO tape drive, tape library and LTO media manufacturer.

DDPs main window shows an icon for Archiware P5. After activating and entering the license using the P5 setup assistant the Backup can be configured and up running within minutes including auto detection for LTO drives and libraries. The resulting Backup plan can be modified and includes incremental, full and progressive Backup modes. Runs can be automated by scheduling within P5. Multiple tapes can be used sequentially with this license, but the tapes must be changed manually. Multiple storage pools can be configured to group tapes.

DDP48D with Archiware back-up license, with optional SAS card.  The DDP48D data is backed up to LTO tape. The DDP48D is synchronised to the mirror DDP using Archiware synchronisation licenses. The Job Monitor shows each process with its status. DDP Volumes mounted for backup can be browsed and folders and folder volumes selected. Mounting for backup is done in the DDP Volumes page on the main menu. Data can be transferred between the DDP and LTO with a speed of up to 150 MB/s.

The pre-installed Archiware licenses can be expanded in multiple ways. They can be ordered from the DDP re-sellers.  No further installation is necessary, only entering the license identity. For use with a tape library and one or more internal drives, there are slots and drive licenses. Two tape drives in a library can be used, either for parallelisation and faster throughput, or for cloning of tapes for maximum security. To integrate other servers or storage as data source, Server and Workstation Agents are available as extensions.

* P5 Archive offers long-term media and video archive, including metadata, previews, searching and browsing

* P5 Synchronize clones DDP volumes to disk for data availability / fail-over. It includes use with unlimited storage capacity

Since September 2014, Object Matrix, Cardiff (Wales) headquartered vendor of object based nearline storage MatrixStore, whose clientèle includes national broadcasters, Hollywood studios and content creators worldwide, has joined forces with Archiware to offer media companies this comprehensive solution for protecting their valuable assets.

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Archiware GmbH is a Munich, Germany based, privately held company. It was launched in 1999 by Zoran Vasiljevic, Josef Doods and Ibrahim Tannir. Operations commenced in 2001.