GB Labs Integrates Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage

GB Labs Ltd, in storage solutions for the media and entertainment industries, has integrated San Mateo, CA-based Backblaze’s B2 cloud storage service with its automation contained in its CORE.4 OS.

GB Labs automation enable users to script workflows at the folder level, which streamlines tasks that would otherwise require tedious and repetitive manual intervention.

There are approximately 100 functions that can be scripted using GB Labs technology in a flexible, easy-to-use, drag-and-drop manner to automate multiple, user-specific workflow tasks. With the B2 backup, users can use GB Labs automation scripts to sync data with replication or use Backblaze B2 as a source for replication down to local storage.

With GB Labs automation in place, users can instruct their storage system to watch a particular folder and ensure all files are copied or moved direct to their B2 Cloud Service, Nebula, SohoNet, Dropbox, or Amazon Cloud Service. In this instance, Backblaze users can archive rushes direct to the cloud and through GB Labs automation receive an email notification that the archive process has been successful.

Backblaze VP sales and product Nilay Patel said: “TheGB Labs automation solution in CORE.4 is compelling because it solves challenges that creative customers face. By integrating Backblaze B2 intoGB Labs solutions, customers now have a simple and powerful way to extend their creative workflows to the cloud.“

For many years, media and entertainment companies have utilised cloud services to strengthen and streamline backup and archiving strategies. However, what began as a simple backup to tape became complicated with the widespread demand for 4K, UHD and 8K content. As media files became ever larger, so did the task of backing up projects, most of which were no longer able to be done during non-production hours.

With LTO-7 tape storage limited to a maximum of 300MB/s write, a different approach had to be taken. This came in the form of disk-to-disk-to-tape (D2D2T) workflows, whereby the copy from online storage to near line storage could happen quickly enough overnight, and then the copy from nearline to tape could take place at any time, freeing up online storage to continue production.

GB Labs chief product officer Duncan Beattie added: “Working with Backblaze B2 to automate backup in the most efficient way possible gives clients a very cost effective and highly flexible cloud service. This not only expands the capabilities of the GB Labs toolset, but also offers a very achievable hybrid cloud backup plan by combining the benefits of Backblaze B2 and GB Labs CORE.4 OS.“