Drive mirroring across a network?

[Andy22]

Somebody in my IS group just posed this question and since there is so much knowledge here, I thought I would pose it to you folks.

Is there any software that allows you to mirror drives across a network? Initially but without knowing the intricate details, I would think it is possible if not plausable.

Thanks-

 

[Vegito]

TCP/IP SANs, there is also software like maxtor's relfect it but that only work with their stuff, do you mean mirror as exact mirror copy ie raid or mirror as in file changes, copies changes over ?

 

[Andy22]

Yes, mirror as in copies the changes over.

Who are some software companies that offer SAN solutions? What about Veritas?

 

[Vegito]

SANs, what I'm getting, TCP/IP SANs from CT to Seattle, expensive, i'm looking at EMC, Dell, Compaq, everyone is a little different but it's hard to tell which is better... my san design of 14 36 GIG = 504GB each site with fibre switches is 45 grand each. I can only think that EMC cost more... there is a lot..

 

[Andy22]

I was thinking there may be a simpler less expensive software only alternative for just a few drives. Like if the software took a 20 gig partition on a drive in Memphis and mirrored it to another 20gig partition on a drive...in say Nashville. You might use this if you were unable to add drives to the system where the drive to be mirrored was located. We have point to point T-1's so bandwidth wouldn't be an issue.

Appreciate the info though.

 

[cockatiel]

I use Mr. Mirror 1.3 which is free (2.1 is $20). It is an amazingly well designed piece of software. It allows mirroring (on a schedule) across a network and does a text log of all activities. I find it refreshingly elegant.


http://www.warpgear.com/

 

[NelsonMuntz]

I think that a cheap software solution like cockatiel suggested would be the best bet. You wouldn't really want to set the mirroring up just like a RAID array (the two drives are having the same infomration written at exactly the same time all the time) because any time the network is down your array is down and when the network gets back up it has to go through the fix immediately. If you have something that maybe makes a copy every night, it might be a better solution.

 

[Andy22]

Thanks cockatiel...that looks like exactly what he was looking for!

 

[Ben]

Norton Ghost will do this too.

Though Mr. Mirror may be a better solution.