Business review: Storcase Data Express for Backup

With hard disks now very cheap, small businesses are increasingly opting for disk-based backup as a cheaper, faster and more flexible alternative to tape.

Data Express for Backup is a compete disk-to-disk backup solution that provides the hardware and software required, in addition to support for disk hot-swapping.

The Storcase hardware takes the form of a drive enclosure and removable drive carrier, available in both internal and external (USB2) models. These are guaranteed for 12 years, with connectors rated for up to 50,000 insertions, plus built-in, soft-start technology to eliminate power spikes during disk spin-up.

A key lock can be used to prevent unauthorised disk removal, with a choice of either Pata (parallel ATA) or Sata (serial ATA) technology on the internal models. A disk is included in the kit.

We tested the Sata-based DX115 fitted with an 80GB Seagate Barracuda, although a much larger 500GB version is available if required.

A screwdriver, suitable interface card and cables are all needed for installation. A separate standalone interface is also recommended, rather than hooking up the drive to an existing Raid controller.

Order the desktop version of DX115 and the backup software will be EMC Retrospect Express 7.5 (see page 122), with Retrospect disk-to-disk for the server version.

You also get Driveswap, a utility that allows disks to be removed and replaced without having to power down the host system, which Windows doesn’t normally allow.

Performance will depend on the disks and storage controller used, although the Storcase hardware will always be faster than a comparable tape setup. We tested on a Dell Poweredge 1800 with 1.5Gbits/sec Sata disks and managed to back up 80GB of data in under half an hour.

OK, so you need to buy extra disks and carriers for off-site storage, but for performance like that from tape you’d need to pay more.

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