Archiving Appliances and Systems

How to comply with the archiving regulations without paying an arm and a leg
Archiving Appliances make it easy to protect your data

So you are being dragged kicking and screaming to archive your e-mails and data. What can you do that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? Well, there are some new economical systems available that make it easy to get the job done. They are called Archiving Appliances and they take advantage of the same robotic mechanisms used in automatic duplicators. With these systems you can archive e-mail data or general data to a stack of DVD optical discs.

This is a batch process where a set of blank discs are placed on a spindle and written one-at-a-time and placed on an output spindle. Then you can store the discs off-line in a drawer or cabinet until you need to read them. You can read the discs using the same appliance by placing the discs on the spindle. If you need faster access to the data, you can use a jukebox or library system instead of the archiving appliances. The jukebox or library is more complex and provides not only archiving (writing), but also easy on-line accessing (or reading) of the discs.

The Difference between Backing up and archiving
Most people can’t recover emails from even a year or two ago. Why? Because even if system backups are performed regularly, the emails are often deleted from servers during routine tape rotations. Tape can also break, wear out and become demagnetized. But what happens when some of those emails or files are needed in a lawsuit? Or what if a regulatory agency asks for specific emails and you can’t produce them? The liabilities to an organization can be substantial.

Tape backups are relatively short term storage of data. It protects your data from inadvertent erasures, system crashes that destroy the data or catastrophes that damage your data center. Tape is usually used because it’s fast and relatively automatic. But, it is not archival media. Archiving means you will copy data to media that will last for over 20 years. Optical discs are the only media that is rated for this long term storage. Experts agree that optical media is the most rugged and reliable backup media available. Its archival life is measured in decades — not just years.

WORM (Write Once Read Many) is Non-erasable, non-rewritable optical media that can be stored off-site. This is a critical specification for publicly-held corporations, healthcare, brokerage and financial institutions and others who must meet the strict email, data and document retention requirements of Sarbanes-Oxley, SEC 17-a, HIPAA and a host of other government regulations.

WORM technology is also highly desirable for any organization that needs to be able to quickly and reliably retrieve data and files of all types without overburdening primary storage devices or media. In this case, Jukeboxes or libraries are used. Not only can they be used to archive your data, they can also be used to easily retrieve the stored data.

Archiving Appliances
There are number of different systems available that provide automatic data archiving. For example, the ArcEmail Archiving Appliance makes it easy to archive Microsoft Data Exchange E-mails. The ArcBackup appliance archives your general computer data to optical discs, and the ArcPoint archiving system adds more sophisticated rules for transferring data to optical discs.
Here’s a summary of the systems available:

E-mail Archiving
The ArcEmail Archiving Appliance backs up and quickly recovers all e-mails that are sent, received or deleted through Microsoft Exchange, including attachments. It operates unobtrusively in the background of your Exchange server, reliably backing up all emails on optical media. The discs can be kept save and then recovered easily when needed.

The system writes to DVD discs and then prints a label on the disc so you can find it. When you need to recover emails from any mailbox for any date range the system finds them on the appropriate backup discs and restores them automatically.

The system provides the following functions:

• Provides an E-mail Archive Appliance for Microsoft Exchange
• Automatically archives to DVD optical media
• Uses Write Once Read Mostly (WORM) media that prevents overwriting and lost data
• Has a 25 Disc capacity
• Allows you to Archive over 100GB per set of discs
• Automatically labels discs
• Provides easy retrieval
• Connects to your PC through USB 2.0 port
• Includes EMC® Retrospect® for Windows

Data Archiving Appliance
The ArcBackup archiving appliance is a simple device that transfers data to a set of DVD discs. The data set is very much like a tape backup except the data is written to optical media. The discs are labeled so they can be stored off-line and retrieved when necessary. The set of data on the discs can be recovered by placing them back on the input spindles and running the recovery software. With this system you can:

• Schedule backups
• Creates a backup set of discs
• Compresses files
• Easily restore the data
• Supports disc spanning: Large backups will be automatically split to several parts and stored on several disks
• Print labels
• Supports encryption for added security

There are currently two models to choose from. The 25 disc and the 300 disc units provide a range of capability.

Hierarchical Data Archiving Appliance
The ArcPoint appliance is a more sophisticated version of the ArcBackup appliance. It uses the same type of duplication mechanism, but the PoINT Archiver software provides much more functionality.

ArcPoint includes a Windows Server application providing a secure and cost effective process to identify, monitor and archive relevant data in a network. It provides a central “console” from which you can manage the archival of data throughout the network. Archiver periodically monitors network folders and copies or moves files to removable optical media according to Administrator defined filters. Additionally, criteria can be defined to identify and archive multiple versions of the same named file.
Point Archiver provides the security and authenticity of information which is required to fulfill the constantly rising number of compliance regulations. Archive jobs monitor existing data folders and files. An intuitive Wizard interface provides step by step procedures which allow the administrator to specify:
* Name for the Archive
* Media type and Target Device
* Data source folders, files & extensions
* Archiving conditions
* Migration Rules

Data and E-Mail Archiving Appliances

Here’s a completely new technology we just started to work with. It solves one of the major problems in trying to conform to the new regulations about data storage.

So you are being dragged kicking and screaming to archive your e-mails and data. What can you do that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? Well, there are some new systems available that make it real easy to get the job done as well as being economical. The Archiving Appliances take advantage of the same robotic mechanisms used in automatic duplicators. With these systems you can archive e-mail data or general data to a stack of discs. This is a batch process where a set of blank discs are placed on a spindle and written one-at-a-time and placed on an output spindle. The discs are stored off-line and can be accessed by reading them back in using the same mechanism. The jukebox or Library systems are more complex and are the only devices that provide easy on-line retrieval of the discs.

The Difference between Backing up and archiving

Most people can’t recover emails from even a year or two ago. Why? Because even if system backups are being performed, emails are often deleted from servers during routine tape rotations. Tape can also break, wear out and become demagnetized. But what happens when some of those emails or files are needed in a lawsuit? Or what if a regulatory agency asks for specific emails and you can’t produce them? The liabilities to an organization can be substantial.

Tape backups are relatively short term storage of data. It protects your data from inadvertent erasures, system crashes that destroy the data or catastrophes that damage your data center. Tape is usually used because it’s fast and relatively automatic. It is not archive media. Archiving means you will copy data to archival media that will last for over 20 years. Optical discs are the only media that is rated for this long term storage.

WORM (Write Once Read Many) is Non-erasable, non-rewritable optical media that can be stored off-site. This is a critical specification for publicly-held corporations, healthcare, brokerage and financial institutions and others who must meet the strict email, data and document retention requirements of Sarbanes-Oxley, SEC 17-a, HIPAA and a host of other government regulations.

WORM technology is also highly desirable for any organization that needs to be able to quickly and reliably retrieve data and files of all types without overburdening primary storage devices or media. Jukeboxes or libraries are used for easy retrieval. Experts agree that optical media is the most rugged and reliable backup media available. Its archival life is measured in decades — not just years.

I will post some more details in a few days. If you need some more information check our web site. or just contact us using our form

Power over Ethernet for IP Cameras

You would think it was simple, but it's not. There's more to Power over Ethernet (or PoE) then meets the eye. Just so we are all on the same page, PoE is a way of providing power to a device on the network. For example an IP camera that connects to the network can be powered over the same cable that is used to provide network data. The power is provided using extra unused wires in the network cable. If a camera conforms to the IEEE 802.3af standard, PoE is easy, but if it doesn't things can get complicated. Many cameras whether they conform to the PoE standard or not can be powered over Ethernet.
Here's how to do it.

Power Requirements depend on the camera

In all cases, power (that's voltage and current) is sent over the extra network wires. The wires are not very heavy (gauge) so they limit the power available at the device. The way the power gets to the wire and the way it gets to the camera can vary. Not all cameras use the same voltage. Some use 5VDC, other 12VDC or even 24VAC. As I mentioned, there is also an IEEE 802.3af standard that defines the PoE voltage and current. Many new cameras conform to this standard, while many older cameras have an external connector where power can be plugged in. Cameras that are compatible with IEEE 802.3 can get their power through the RJ45 network connection.

The power required by the camera system determines if PoE can be used

Most IP cameras can use PoE, but there are some cameras that require too much current and can't be powered over Ethernet. PTZ cameras require the most current because their little motors use a lot of power. For example, the Axis 214PTZ and Axis213PTZ can be powered. Since they require more current they require a higher powered midspan. On the other hand the Axis 231D and Axis232D+ can not be powered with PoE because they exceed the current that can be carried over the Ethernet wires.

PoE is great for indoor applications. It allows you to use a single cable to connect the camera, which greatly simplifies the installation. When the camera is used outdoors in an environmental enclosure and a heater and blower is required, you can't use PoE to power the enclosure because it requires too much power. Installation is still fairly simple because you can use the same power that goes to the heater and blower to power the camera.

If you plan to use a wireless camera, obviously you can't use PoE. I mention this only because we have actually been asked this question.

Power over Ethernet Solutions

Here are some details on how power is provided over Ethernet. Power is inserted to the network wire going to the camera using a powered network switch or a midspan (or power injector).

The power is connected to the camera either through the RJ45 network cable connection or using a special splitter that provides power to an external power connector on the camera.

Here are the solutions available:

Solution 1A: When you have an IEEE 802.3af compliant network camera you can use a PoE-enabled switch to provide the power. The camera uses the standard 48VDC power and uses the power from the RJ45 cable connection.

Solution 1B: If you have a IEEE 802.3af compliant network camera but do not have a powered network switch, you can add a midspan or power injector that complies with the standard. It's placed between the standard switch and the camera. Again the camera doesn't require any splitter because it uses the standard 48VDC power from the network connector.

If the camera is not compatible with IEEE802.3af standard, you will require a splitter at the camera side. An active splitter can be used to convert the voltage from the voltage injected (could be 12VDC or 24VAC or 48VDC) to the right voltage for the camera. If you have a powered switch that conforms to the standard, the splitter will convert the voltage from 48VDC to 12VDC or 5VDC (depending on the splitter). You need to select the right splitter for the camera so that you get the right amount of voltage and current as well as the right connector.

There are two solutions available:

Solution 2A: When you have a Network camera that does not conform to the IEEE802.3af PoE standard and you have a PoE-enabled switch, you will need to add an active splitter that supports the standard power. The splitter has to be matched to the camera.

Solution 2B: When you have a Network camera that does not conform to the IEEE802.3af PoE standard, and have a standard (non-powered) network switch, you will require a midspan or power injector and an active splitter. In this configuration the midspan or injector could provide IEEE standard power or non-standard power (24VAC for example). As long as the splitter is compatible with the midspan and camera, it will work.

If you still have questions about PoE or need help selecting the right camera system, just go to my web site or contact me.

Power over Ethernet

The other day I was asked about powering an IP camera over Ethernet. It turns out to be a bit confusing so I thought it would be helpful to write this down and un-confuse it.

First of all there are many different types of IP cameras. Some of the new cameras conform to the IEEE standard, but many of the older cameras have unique voltage and current requirements.

In some cases the camera manufacturer will recommend and even provide a Power over Ethernet (PoE) solution. For example Axis and Sony make it easy because they have a solution for many of their cameras. When the camera manufacturer doesn't suggest anything, you have to do some investigation.

I'm still working on the details and will get back with more information after the weekend.

How to Select the Light Sensitivity of the IP Camera

It is important to know the complete light range that is required for your cameras. You may have some cameras that will be used in dark areas and some others that will be in well lit areas. If necessary, you can select a different camera for each location. Not only do you need to know how dark it gets, you also want to know if you will have a problem with sunlight shining into the lens in the morning or evening. This can affect where you will place the camera. The minimum light sensitivity is important if you plan to use the cameras at night.

1. Go to all the camera locations during the night and see what type of lighting is available (if any).
   
2. During the day make sure the camera is not pointing into the rising or setting sun.
3. At night determine how much light is available at the location.
   

Lux is the measure of brightness. To get some idea of the lux value, consider that 1 lux is about the light from a full moon. If the light is less than this, you will require a more sensitive camera (costs more). If the light is more than this you can save money. Take a look at the Kintronics web site for more information about the cameras available.

Selecting the lens for your IP Camera

How to Select the Lens
Go to each location you want to view with your surveillance cameras. Bring your digital camera to each of the locations. If you don't have a digital camera this is a good excuse to get one. The camera should have a zoom lens that has mm markings on the lens so you can record the right mm for the lens.

Again, decide where you would like to place the camera. Place the digital camera as close as you can to the planned location of the video camera. Take a picture of the view you would like. This is will define your field of view. Record the lens position (so you can later select a similar mm lens). Measure how far away the camera is from the field of view at each location. Record how wide an area you would like to view. This should be determined by the picture you took using the digital camera. The distance to the area and the width of the area define the lens. You can use the lens calculator at http://www.kintronics.com/iqinvision/lenscalculator.htm to determine the lens mm.

If you decided that you need a PTZ camera, you can still use the lens calculator to determine if the zoom lens is within the range you need. For example some cameras have a 10X zoom (4.2 – 42mm) and some have over 22X (3.9 – 85.4mm). Use the lens calculator to see if the area you want to see fits in the range of the camera you select.

You can find a lot more information about cameras and lenses at the kintronics web site

How to select the right IP camera

How to select the type of camera
Should you get a fixed position camera or a Pan, Tilt, Zoom (PTZ) camera? Go to each of the locations where you would like to install a camera and take a look at the area you would like to view.

Now let’s see what the camera will see. This is where your digital camera can be helpful. Hopefully you have one, but if not, this is a good excuse to get one. Decide on where you would like to place the camera, for example on a building or on a light pole, etc. Try and approximate the location of the video camera and then use your digital camera to view the area you want to view.

If you have to move the camera right and left to see everything, then you probably need a Pan, Tilt, Zoom (PTZ). If you have to move the camera only a short distance then maybe you can use a high resolution camera with a wide angle lens. If you can see everything with the camera in one position then a fixed camera will work.