Archived White Papers

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Server-Free FAQ
Q: What is “server-free backup”?
A: Server-Free backup is a new technology wherein the application server offloads the work of moving blocks of data to a specialized “data-mover” device (e.g. Crossroads 4250 storage router) located on a storage network. The application instructs the data-mover about what to do, using the new SCSI “Third-Party Copy” or “Extended Copy” command, and then the data-mover does the bulk of the work. CPU cycle use and I/O on the server are drastically reduced.

IP Storage FAQs
Q: What is “IP Storage”?
A: “IP Storage”, shorthand for Internet Protocol Storage, is a method of moving “blocks” of data, using IP as the transport layer, usually over Ethernet.

Intelligent Bandwidth: A smart, flexible approach to meet the needs of the storage-centric enterprise.
The booming revolution in e*commerce, along with sophisticated decision support systems, have led to an exponential growth in transactional data and information. Each of these applications demand massive amounts of storage, fast access, and, to accommodate the growing population of users and to move large volumes of data, fat pipes.

Server-Free Backup/Restore & Target Mode
When data is shared in a SAN, then the backup operation can be taken off the LAN. With LAN free backup only the backup server, the source, the destination devices and the SAN devices are in the data path. This way the application server and the LAN are no longer affected by backup/restore operations.

Target Mode
To connect servers to Fibre Channel devices without an upgrade to the server, the Crossroads Storage router can be turned around in what is called Fibre Channel Target Mode. In this configuration, the Server is attached to the SCSI side of the Storage router and connects to the FC device, or FC enabled devices, on the Fibre Channel side of the box. This allows connection to the native SCSI port already available on the majority of server products. No new Host Bus Adapter (HBA) hardware or driver software needs to be added. This solution is a good first step to Fibre Channel SAN solutions.