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BlueArc puts replication on a diet
Thin replication
Hardware-accelerated filer supplier BlueArc has stopped replicating useless data with its latest software release.
Replication involves sending copied storage data to a nearby or remote storage array for disaster-recovery protection. The JetMirror feature of version 8 of BlueArc's System Software is claimed to replicate large and complicated file systems up to 26 times faster than unnamed competing products. It only sends changed objects across the network instead of complete files. The product can also skip empty blocks. BlueArc says JetMirror is "more intelligent" than general block-level replication and can be faster.
The v8.0 software includes JetClone functionality to create cloned copies of file systems using writable snapshots and storing later changes separately. This approach uses much less storage than making full-sized clones. BlueArc says there is a virtually unlimited capability to create cloned copies because it has a 256TB file system. This is said to be good news for virtual servers and Virtual Desktop Infrastructure test and development environments. ®