Using SANRAD V-Switch as the VSS Hardware Provider for Windows Backups

Introduction

Many Microsoft Window applications (like Exchange, MS-SQL, etc) are critical to the daily core functionality for many companies and organizations. Managing the data backup for these applications presents new challenges for system administrators. While there is an ever increasing need for more and more data to be backed up, at the same time the system administrator must cope with the issue of shrinking backup windows in which the application can be taken offline in order to backup the application data. Another issue to contend with is the performance hit the production server takes when backup is running.
Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) and SANRAD iSCSI V-Switch acting as VSS storage provider can help the system administrator resolve these issues by:
• Eliminating the need to take the application offline.
• Quickly responding to the increasing need for storage.
• Enabling fast backup and restore by backing up to disks and offloading the backup performance hit from the production volumes and servers.

This application note describes VSS, how it works, the required basic configuration in order for VSS to work with the SANRAD V-Switch to create snapshots as well as the backup design options using VSS and SANRAD V-Switch. We use Veritas’ BackupExec (V10.0) to help us demonstrate taking backups with VSS using SANRAD V-Switch.

This application note assumes that the user has basic knowledge of how to use SANRAD V-Switch to configure volumes and expose them to the servers as disks. The user should also be familiar with Microsoft Iscsi initiator for connecting Windows 2003 server to the exposed iSCSI volumes by the SANRAD V-Switch.

What is VSS?
Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) provides the backup infrastructure for the Windows Server 2003 operating systems, as well as a mechanism for creating consistent point-in-time copies of data known as shadow copies or snapshots.
VSS can produce consistent snapshots by coordinating between different applications (business, file-system services, backup) and storage hardware.

The following steps describe VSS Architecture:

STEP 1. Path 1: The Requestor (usually a backup application) make a request to VSS (running on the application server) to create snapshots of production volumes so that backups can be made from the snapshots and not from the production volumes.

STEP 2. Path 2: If the volumes “belong” to an application that has a VSS Writer (VSS aware application like Exchange), the VSS requests the Writer to prepare the volumes. The Writer will usually flash the data to the disk and freeze IO writes from the application during the time the VSS takes the snapshots (usually few seconds). This ensures application data consistency when recovery is needed. If there is no VSS writer then VSS will go directly to the next step but there is no guarantee that the data is in a consistent state.

STEP 3. Path 3: VSS requests a provider to create a snapshot. There are three kinds of VSS providers: Hardware, Software and System. A system provider is part of the Windows 2003 OS and it will take snapshots and keep them but only at the OS level. A hardware provider is usually a storage provider, like SANRAD Iscsi V-Switch, which creates and maintains snapshots at the storage hardware level. VSS chooses the provider from a list (first on the list with priority given to hardware provider if one exists).

STEP 4. Path 4: VSS goes back to the VSS Writer (if it exists) and allows it to unfreeze the application I/O activity and resume normal activity.

STEP 5. Path 5: VSS goes back to the requestor (backup application) and gives it the location of the snapshots so it can start the backup from the snapshots.

STEP 6. Path 6: Once backup is complete, the requestor informs VSS which in turn informs the VSS provider to delete the snapshots.

Summary
The combined solution of Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS), SANRAD V-Switch as the VSS storage provider and backup VSS aware applications (like Veritas BackupExec V10) allow companies to offload backup jobs from the production environment, leave applications up for user access while backing up the data and have a data life cycle for regulations compliance.

SANRAD is a leader in IP Storage Networks enabling organizations to effectively Access, Share & Manage Stored Data across Standard Ethernet Environments.

SANRAD delivers simplified networked storage with excellent price/performance by coupling open IP storage connectivity with comprehensive network-based data management using IP Storage Area Networks (IP-SANs).

With SANRAD, organizations of all sizes can leverage the benefits of networked storage to link employees and clients with stored data for full storage availability, flexible and scalable storage using an economical Ethernet (IP/SCSI) network.

for further reading:

http://www.sanrad.com/objects/support/Library

http://www.sanrad.com/iscsi.asp?IP-SAN=231

Phone lovin’: The popular trend of phone customization

One of the most popular pastimes and hobbies of a big majority of mobile phone owners are customizing their phones. Personalizing a mobile phone has grown into a multi-billion dollar business worldwide. People are willing to pay for themes, wallpapers, casings, and various types of ringtones in order to make their mobile phones stand out from the rest. They even buy various accessories, charms and nifty little holders to complete their phone’s look.

What compels people to spend money just to customize a piece of electronic equipment?

One of the most compelling reasons that have been forwarded by researchers regarding the obsession with mobile phone customization is that mobile phones have the capability to be contextual. Because of its portability, people can carry mobile phones wherever they go. They can bring it to a business meeting, to a date, into movies, on a vacation, even to church - it has become a permanent fixture of our daily lives. This pervasive nature of mobile phones and “ready at hand” characteristic can make people establish a certain bond with their mobile phones. This “connection” can be manifested in personalizing their mobile phones because they have begun to see this electronic equipment as an entity that is always there for them.

Another possible reason for the growing phone customization trend is with regards to the special relationship that people establish with their mobile phones. As previously mentioned, people carry their phones in almost any imaginable place, it is a constant companion to them. It becomes a natural progression of this close proximity for people to start customizing their phones to reflect their personality, mood or disposition. Putting a fashion statement is also a part of this. They want their phones to a more sartorial compliment to their wardrobes. For example, fashion conscious women would opt to change the faceplate of their phones to a color that would better match their clothes. There is even a new line of Nokia phones that are specifically aimed at “fashionistas” - complete with tasteful leather or cloth trimmings and firmer emphasis on style more than function.

Another reason that has been cited for the phone customization fad could be the simplest but no less valid - that mobile phones have become a status symbol. Much like having the latest and most popular pair of shoes - having the latest model mobile phone is a sure way of getting noticed and being acknowledged as being part of the “in” crowd. Of course, the more personalized your phone gets, the more “in” you become. For example, Paris Hilton, in an effort to both stand out and flaunt her wealth, had her mobile phone encrusted with many semi-precious stones. By doing so, she has made the ultimate personal statement and elevated the “status symbol” of mobile phones to a new level.

But for whatever reasons people may decide to personalize their mobile phones, one thing is very important. As long as you are having fun tinkering with your mobile phone’s appearance and that you are not making anything offensive to other people then go ahead and personalize to your heart’s content.

Philip Nicosia is the webmaster of Ringtones.lt, a site specialising in the different genres of ringtones, Including polyphonic ringtones, true tones and mp3 ringtones.

Facts about free cell phones

There has been a rapid growth in demand for cell phones. Today, cell phones have become an important part of communicating with your friends and relatives. With the growth of mobile phone users many mobile companies are trying to capitalize on mobile web markets. Many cell phone companies are coming up with different ideas to provide value added services to its customers.

There are number of mobile phone outlets that are developing number of specialized soft wares and services for mobile phone users. They provide free cell phones for promoting their product in the market. Many cell phone companies offer free cell phone screensavers, free cell phones, free ring tones, free cell phone wall papers and free cell phone games. One of the best aspects of these free cell phone services are that they are updated frequently. This enables its customers to get latest cell phone ring tones, cell phone wall papers, cell phone games and screensavers.

Are these cell phones really free?
It is been seen in the market that many merchants most often offer you a cell phone for free and you really believe that it’s the best purchase you can make? But have your father explained you that there is no such things that can offer you free because there is nothing for free.

The real fact is that offers for free cell phone are not completely free. Even if you get cell phone free, then also you have to activate it on the network. And as they give you free, you will have to follow their guidelines and follow the necessary steps.

At http://www.4freecellphone.info/ you can find some useful information about different market structure for free cell phones. Just surf through this site and you could come up with information that can really help you in your purchase.

My name is Isabel Rodrigues. I am a professional writer. I am specilaized in writing articles. If you have any comments about the above article kindly let me know

Emergency Kit Emergency Cell Phone Charger: Hand Crank Power to Go

It is a good idea to at all times, have access to at least a basic Emergency Kit. An Emergency Kit can come in handy in many situations, and when it does come in handy, it is usually worth its weight in gold. Whether it be a power outage, a camping trip or a car problem, everyone can appreciate the value of a good Emergency Kit.

One of my favorite additions to any Emergency Kit is the Hand Crank Cell Phone Charger. This can be a life safer when needed, especially today with the cell phone being such an important part of the average person’s day. Considering the constant use a Cell Phone endures everyday we can not expect to have a full Cell Phone battery when disaster strikes. A hand crank cell phone charger can give you the peace of mind that if you really did need to use your cell phone you could, even if your power is out or your car battery is dead.

To use the charger you will need to turn a crank for several minutes. Then, you are ready to make a call. The longer you turn the crank, the more power you get. On average, 3 minutes of crank time should give you enough power to make an emergency call if you are in need. While this method will not replace your wall or car charger by any means, it is a great start to a great backup plan.

If you would like to order or obtain more information about adding a hand
crank Cell Phone Charger to your
Emergency Kit, visit our website today.
We also offer other Emergency
Products as well.

Cheap Computer Monitors

Owning a computer has become an essential part of our everyday lives. A computer not only serves as a tool to connect us to the world, but as an instrument which simplifies otherwise monotonous and time-consuming activities like maintaining records.

A little research will show you that the monitor is the most expensive unit of the PC system. With a little information you can easily save money by purchasing a functional and cheap computer monitor.

The computer monitor is judged on a lot of factors other than the screen. They are set according to the resolution. If you want to admire graphics, then monitors with a high resolution will work for you. With this type of resolution the pictures will immediately fit on the display panel.

Your investment in a high-resolution monitor will go waste if you are going to use this only for checking email or occasional websurfing. You will only end up having tired eyes straining to read a high-resolution panel. A cheap computer monitor can be obtained at a resolution of 1024 by 768. If at any point of time you find the characters to be too small, than you can always lower the resolution to 800 by 600.

Although you can raise the resolution rate, this will cause the lowering of the vertical refresh rate, or the speed with which a panel draws an entire screen. This will cause the screen to flicker and give you a bad headache. The best resolution rate is considered to be 85Hz. To keep your eyes healthy, buy the biggest size you can afford.

It will take some time to find a cheap computer. If you are patient enough to check out all the options, than you will definitely get the best deal.