File Based Replication Solutions.
Synchronizing Distributed File Stores
Most organizations rely on core legacy processes that involve the use of stored file and directory based business data. File stores are particularly important for storing very large files (VLF’s) that cannot be included as part of portal based content management environments due their physical size and the limitations of the portal environments. Problems emerge when these organizations become globally distributed, and it become the responsibility of the operational IT department to ensure that these sources of data are consistently and frequently synchronized throughout the enterprise.
Typical forms of business data include the following:
• Virus detect update files
• Project documentation e.g. large CAD files
• Virtual machine files
• Program setup files
• Back-up/continuity of operations applications
• Shared network drives
Infonic’s Geo-Replicator product includes a mode of publishing that is able to read the data stored in a master file store and efficiently delivery it to a remote replica using Infonc’s unique compression technology. The replica view of the data is then presented using Infonic’s File Virtualization technology that has the added benefit of reducing the data footprint of the replica copy through active use of Infonic’s Epsilon technology.
Key benefits
In summary the key benefits of File Based Replication are as follows:
• All file and directory structures are replicated
• Infonic’s Geo-Replicator can replicate any file type including databases and backup files
• Very scalable distribution model that can support many hundreds of thousands of clients
• Epsilon compression significantly reduces update file size and makes more frequent updates possible
• Extremely robust and supports FTP, HTTP, HTTPS, email over WAN, LAN, satellite GPRS, etc.
• Minimal administration required
• Full auditing facilities
• Security features to encrypt and password protect update files
Customer success story
AFD (Agence Française de Développement) is the financial arm of France’s Development Assistance programme. It manages over 1,600 agents worldwide who are responsible for identifying and funding a range of development projects. The Infonic Geo-Replicator implementation is part of a larger technology project called SIOP based on MOSS2007 and .NET technologies, and will provide offline access to web applications, reduce network costs and speed up information sharing between its Paris headquarters and 51 remote locations worldwide
The SIOP project’s primary objective is to implement a project management tool from the identification of a project to its execution, going through various validation committees. In addition to project management there is a separate risk management application which implements the Basel II accord for risk management.
The IT network infrastructure for most AFD agencies is slow, costly and intermittent. This makes real time access to applications hosted in the central offices in Paris sometimes difficult and inconsistent. The Infonic Geo-Replicator solution will provide local replication that will allow agents to work with those applications on their laptops, reducing the amount of data transmitted over the network, even when connectivity is lost.
Customer success story
Wallenius Lines, the world’s leading operator of RoRo vessels, selected Infonic’s Geo-Replicator technology to deliver critical safety and cargo information from the head office to the fleet of vessels at sea and to reduce communication costs.
By using Infonic's software, which includes the patented Epsilon technology, Wallenius have been able to achieve compression ratios of up to 98% - an additional 35% over previous compression techniques, leading to a massive 35% cost saving on satellite and GSM wireless data transmission. Wallenius tested a range of applications, including quality manuals, maintenance and purchase information, HR information, and other Intranet and Internet information.
On each vessel there is a full local area network installed consisting of approximately 10 workstations, server and periphery equipment such as printers and digital cameras. Information from the Wallenius Lines maintenance and procurement systems, intranet and digital newspapers was previously received by dialing-up over a 64K satellite connection and Wallenius used their own compression techniques. Infonic’s Geo-Replicator enables Wallenius to provide intranet and internet sites on board ship. The crew can access and browse these offline at high-speed and no cost. Updates are delivered and applied automatically each day, and, with Infonic’s patented Epsilon Technology, the updates are compressed and delivered quickly and efficiently.
