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3/5/2010
Barracuda Backup Server

It isn't often that I am floored by a product's capability, but I have to say that I am quite enamored with the new line of Barracuda Networks Backup Servers.  We recently implemented an appliance at Mauer Eye Center and it could not have gone any better.

What is the Barracuda Backup Server?  It is basically an appliance that sits on your network and backs up anything and everything you want it to, from large servers to small workstations.  It stores the data on mirrored internal drives where it remains in case you need to perform a quick local restore.  Once the data is on the appliance, it is then sent over an encrypted Internet connection to a repository which stores your backups on servers located on the West and East coasts of the United States.  To top it off, the whole process is HIPAA compliant.

The beauty of this appliance is all of the features it has. Using the easy to navigate web interface, you can schedule your backups for any time of the day or night as well as metering how much bandwidth is used for the offsite upload.  As an example, I have the Mauer Eye Center backup scheduled to happen after hours and the bandwidth metering specifies that the offsite upload will only use 5mbps from 8am to 5pm and then full speed ahead after hours.  MEC has 50mbps download and 10mbps upload through Mediacom.

Barracuda Backup Servers come with the ability to back up any operating system and there is no limit on how many servers/workstations you can back up with the appliance.  It also comes prepackaged with agents that allow you to back up Exchange information stores, SQL servers, Microsoft System State and brick level Exchange backups.  Talk about flexibility.

Retrieving your data is just as easy.  If you need a simple file restore, you can pull the data directly from the appliance at the office.  If there is a larger disaster, you have several options.  You can get the data from the Barracuda respository via the web or ftp.  If your appliance is destroyed and you have the instant replacement plan (I highly recommend it), you can even opt to have a new device sent to you preloaded with your backup data.

You will want a fairly beefy Internet connection if you have a lot of data to back up.  After the initial bulk upload of data, the rest of the offsite uploads only send changed files which lessens the daily amount sent over the Internet.  There is an option to send only specified items to offsite storage if you so desire.  This is useful for customers trying to stay on a particular plan for offsite storage.  As of this writing, it is $50 per month per 100 gigabyte block of space.

In closing, I can't stress enough how important backups are and this appliance certainly offers the peace of mind I was looking for.  Having onsite and offsite backups managed by an appliance that lets you know what it is doing on a daily basis is such a great thing.

If you are interested in adding strength to your backup regimen, don't hesitate to give us a call.

10/27/2009
Windows 7 Release

With Windows 7 now in the hands of the public, I thought I would give my take on the new operating system that was designed to make life with a PC simpler. How long will it take to realize the benefits of a new operating system? (or in Vista's case, the horrors) It usually takes 4-6 months of use to determine if a new operating system is worth the hassle of an upgrade. Consider that some publications loved Vista when it first released only to hate it months later.

So, what are the nice features of Windows 7? While it seems to have a similar look and feel to Vista, it is quite a different animal. A lot of the annoyances, such as the system tray popups warning you that the world will end unless you do this and that are gone. User Access Control can also be tuned to a desired level so that you aren't bothered by maddening questions every time you want to launch an application. The taskbar is totally retooled and is very similar to the Macintosh operating system, which has always been simple. You can now pin commonly used applications to the taskbar so you can launch them with ease. It is a bit tricky to see which apps are already running (Windows tags them with a subtle highlight) but you get used to it very quickly. Gadgets are now part of the desktop and they sit there and do their job rather than getting in the way like the Vista "sidebar" did.

I won't bore you with the other features as there are articles on the Internet covering these ad nauseam. I will say that if you are thinking about Windows 7 for your business, don't jump in feet first. Your best bet is to get a single copy of the OS and try it out with every application your business uses. Test it extensively to make sure no other major software upgrades will be necessary to run Windows 7 at your place of business. Be very careful in choosing the flavor of Windows 7, specifically whether you get the 32 bit or 64 bit versions. 64 bit versions are hardy and can take advantage of modern processors, but be aware that some programs and device drivers may be hard to come by. Most businesses are perfectly fine ordering Windows 7 Professional, which will allow Windows 7 to participate in your corporate server based environment.

In closing, I will say that I am quite enamored with Windows 7 Professional so far. I haven't run into any compatibility issues aside from needing updated VPN software, which was free. The operating system does seem every bit as fast as Windows XP was on my machine. I have always been a fan of simplicity with operating systems (especially for business use) and Windows 7 does seem to offer that. It doesn't do everything under the sun just because it can ... it does enough to get the job done without getting in the way. Time will tell whether this is a hit with the public and the business community, but my view is optimistic.