Gladinet CloudAFS

Gladinet, Inc. has unveiled Gladinet CloudAFS, a new approach to data storage management that attaches cloud storage to existing file servers and intelligently manages data transfer between the two tiers (local-cloud).

     Compare Cloud Desktops and CloudAFS Deployment

CloudAFS allows local storage to be used as tier one for fast access and delivers unprecedented storage space by using the cloud as tier two. IT professionals with storage expansion needs can now attach cloud storage to existing IT infrastructure to create a cost effective multi-tiered storage solution with low impact and faster backup or restore times.

"Tiering is not a new concept in enterprise data storage management," explained Jerry Huang, Chief Executive Officer, Gladinet. "All data is not created equal. And since some storage mediums are much more expensive than others, organizations use hierarchical storage management to put the most important data on the best storage. By adding the cloud as a tier in the hierarchy, Gladinet CloudAFS changes that paradigm and ranks data importance according to use. In other words, the data that is most often used is kept close for fast access."

In essence, Gladinet CloudAFS brings the cloud to the user instead of letting user take the risk of migrating to the cloud. It allows cloud storage services to be natively accessed from Windows, Mac and Linux clients through CIFS/NFS protocols or accessed from existing Gladinet Cloud Desktop clients. Full integration is provided for EMC Atmos Storage, Windows Azure Blob Storage, Amazon S3, AT&T Synaptic Storage, Nirvanix, Mezeo, and Google Storage, while access control is provided by native integration with Active Directory or NT Domains. Scheduled backups are also supported and can be based on folders or file types. And, as with other Gladinet solutions, security is a high priority: CloudAFS uses strong data encryption to protect data stored in the cloud.

Companies concerned about controlling costs will find CloudAFS to be an excellent fit. CloudAFS enables organizations to use the cloud as a cost-effective extension of their onsite storage. CloudAFS’s capabilities make storage capacity virtually limitless, without the constraints or expense of a physical IT infrastructure.

"Gladinet CloudAFS is a powerful solution that changes the way companies look at data storage," said Huang. "Harnessing the power and storage capacity of the cloud to enhance existing file storage solutions is now a reality, thanks to CloudAFS."