- Wide-area file services (WAFS) is a storage technology that makes it possible to access a remote data center across a wide area network (WAN) as though it were local. WAN optimization and file access acceleration are essential elements of WAFS. Caching is used to reduce WAN congestion and disruption.
WAFS enables businesses, academic institutions, and government agencies with numerous branch offices to centrally manage data backups in real time. Other benefits include immediate, round-the-clock read-write access to backed-up data for all end users in the network, low latency and rapid data transfer speed comparable to local area network (LAN) technologies, continuous real-time updating of backup content, enhanced data security and simple, rapid system recovery in the event the network is compromised or damaged. Backing up data on servers at different physical locations increases security.
The term WAFS is used generically. Vendors have different names for their technologies. Here's how Stephen J. Bigelow has broken it down:
Riverbed Technology Inc. uses the term wide-area data services (WDS or WADS) to include WAFS along with a richer set of WAN optimization and file access features. Cisco Systems Inc. uses wide-area application services (WAAS), which is also more comprehensive and feature rich than WAFS. Brocade Communications Systems Inc. uses the term file area network (FAN) to refer to a collection of remote file management and access technologies. The term wide-area data management (WADM) has also recently appeared.
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Learn more about Remote data protection |
| Data backup security strategies: A tutorial on cloud security, encryption and data destruction: Data security concerns are climbing the priority list for data backup pros, including tape encryption, cloud backup, key management and data deletion options. |
| Data replication technologies and disaster recovery planning tutorial: In this tutorial, learn how to choose the best replication product, and about how technologies like data deduplication and virtual servers are changing replication. |
| Remote data backup and recovery technology tutorial: In our remote backup tutorial, learn remote backup options like using in-house software, outsourcing to the cloud, WAN optimization, replication, data deduplication and CDP. |
| Disaster recovery and business continuity planning templates: Free downloads: We've compiled our best resources on disaster recovery and business continuity templates for your convenience. |
| Disaster recovery planning and operations tutorial: In our tutorial on disaster recovery operations, learn about how to choose a DR facility, virtual servers and DR, and outsourcing disaster recovery services. |
| LAST UPDATED: |
18 Dec 2008
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