TwinStrata enables live, in-Cloud testing for disaster recovery

TwinStrata has unveiled the latest release of its CloudArray® software, which gives customers the ability to access production snapshots of their data remotely. Coupled with new accelerated cache reload capabilities, the new release drastically simplifies disaster recovery and testing. TwinStrata CloudArray 4.7 also provides improved encryption key protection, fully integrated support for Cleversafe’s dsNet® dispersed storage technology and support for Keystone authentication for OpenStack platforms.

Simplified DR Testing for All Environments
In May, TwinStrata introduced CloudArray Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS), which provides on-demand disaster recovery for VMware environments. CloudArray 4.7 further extends that capability, enabling organizations to more easily test their disaster recovery plans by providing access to in-cloud, production snapshots of their data from a secondary CloudArray. As a result, customers can conduct fire drills without shutting down their primary site, streamlining the process and reducing the impact of such tests on day-to-day operations.

The new capability works with TwinStrata’s CloudArray DRaaS, as well as all supported cloud compute environments. Organizations can also use the new capability to access production snapshots at a remote physical location. Snapshots can also be used for non-DR purposes for organizations that wish to conduct online analytics on the data.

Accelerated Cache Reload for Improved Performance
As organizations become more sophisticated in their use of cloud-integrated storage, many come across situations that result in an empty onsite cache, reducing performance. The new release of CloudArray includes the ability to accelerate the population of the cache with data from the cloud, thereby minimizing inherent cloud latency and improving overall performance.

In the event of a disaster test, for example, this feature can enhance performance for the failed over volumes, reducing the time required to test or get back up and running following a disaster.

Improved Platform Support and Security
CloudArray 4.7 also contains added features to improve overall security and compliance with such regulations as HIPAA. CloudArray has always included robust encryption technologies to ensure the security of cloud-based data. As part of that security, encryption keys are stored outside of the cloud storage. With this release, encryption keys held in the TwinStrata portal in the event of a disaster are password-encrypted as well, thereby further restricting access to the data and preventing either intentional or accidental unauthorized access to the encryption keys.

In keeping with TwinStrata’s focus on providing customers choice and flexibility, CloudArray 4.7 also supports Cleversafe’s dsNet® object storage platform, as well as authentication using OpenStack’s Keystone technology.

“Traditional disaster recovery plans suffer from three distinct challenges: high costs, long recovery times and complex testing,” said Nicos Vekiarides, CEO of TwinStrata. “CloudArray cloud-integrated storage addresses each of these directly, making DR affordable, manageable and simple.”