15
A rock-solid solution
1-2-1 GRAEME GORDON
Anchorage Water & Wastewater Utility selected Quantum to partner in developing
(AWWU) has drastically improved data a response to the RFP. Based on the first
center efficiency since deploying round of scoring proposals, Quantum was
Quantum’s DXi disk backup and replication one of only two vendors selected for an in-
solution with deduplication technology. depth discussion with Marsh’s staff and
The Utility, which provides services to ultimately emerged with the highest rating.
nearly half of Alaska’s population, has Working through Structured, AWWU first
reduced weekly backup time from 72 purchased two Quantum DXi5500
hours to less than 24 hours, achieved appliances and soon added two DXi7500
average deduplication ratios of Express™ systems to address its
approximately 20:1, decreased restore expanding data storage needs. Marsh and
times from hours to minutes and saved his staff instituted a DXi7500 schedule
money on tape media and IT staffing that includes daily incremental and weekly
costs. full backups, as well as regular data
transfers for disaster recovery and long-
AWWU’s 290 employees operate and term retention. They use the DXi7500
manage $700 million worth of Express replication feature to transfer data
infrastructure. The data the Utility between one DXi7500 system and the
generates – whether it’s customer payment other at a remote site six miles away and
records or quality assurance test results – Symantec’s NetBackup Vault Option to
is information that must be safeguarded migrate data to a Quantum Scalar® i500
both for instant access and for long-term tape library each quarter.
retention related to compliance and
disaster recovery requirements. The benefits of deploying the DXi7500
Unfortunately, backing up this quantity of Express system have lived up to Marsh’s
data became a challenge with the Utility’s expectations. Weekly backups that
previous tape-only setup. According to previously took three days now take less
Howard Marsh, Ph.D., CIO/IT director for than one. Deduplication has reduced
AWWU, its two tape libraries took up to 72 backup data volumes by a ratio that
hours to run a full backup, meaning the ranges from 18:1 to 23:1, and restores that
backup could not be completed over the once took hours now only take minutes.
course of a weekend, and restores were
also slow and labor-intensive. “The benefits include stability, lower cost,
less time managing the system and a
AWWU put together a Request for shorter backup window,” says Marsh.
Proposals (RFP) that went far beyond “We’re able to use less power, buy fewer
comparing price and capacity. Marsh says tapes and not pay overtime for operating
he needed a solution that went beyond a labor-intensive system. For me, I sleep
simply cost and size – it needed to be better at night because I don’t have to
easy for employee training and system worry about it.”
management. He also wanted to work with
a vendor that would stand behind its According to Marsh, Quantum has also
product and be responsive with technical responded quickly to requests for
support. Structured Communications technical assistance and resolved issues
Systems, the largest infrastructure promptly. In sum, he says AWWU has been
integrator in the American Northwest, very pleased with its decision.
WWW.SNS-UK.CO.UK OCT 09
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