Bandwidth Optimized Backup

The first time online backup runs, the Cloud Attached Storage device performs a full online backup for the selected folders. Although the data is backed up in compressed format, this may take a long time, depending on the size of your data set. In order to ensure that subsequent backup happens as quickly and efficiently as possible, CTERA uses state-of-the-art incremental update and data de-duplication techniques, so that only data that has actually changed is uploaded. In addition, if you have multiple identical or highly similar files, the backup protocol detects this and backs up only the parts that are different.

You can also restrict (throttle) the bandwidth used for backing up files online, at all times or only during certain hours of the day, to minimize the impact on your Internet activity.

Backup Sets

You can control the scope of your backup operations by using backup sets. A backup set represents a group of files of certain types and/or that are located in specific folders.

The Cloud Attached Storage device includes numerous built-in backup sets of both types that are modifiable and ready for use. Simply enable the desired backup sets to start using them.

Backup Security

In addition to using 128-bit SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) connections, the same security mechanism used by banks, all your data is encrypted using 256-bit AES encryption and fingerprinted by 160 bit SHA-1 digest, to ensure your data is protected against eavesdroppers.

For even stronger security, you can use a secret passphrase known only to you.

Learn more about online backup security…

Restore Methods

You can restore files from online backup in the following ways:

• Restore all files to a previous version via the Cloud Attached Storage device Web interface

• Restore individual files or folders directly from your Windows Vista PC using CTERA’s Virtual Cloud Drive™ feature

• Download files from your CTERA portal account, which you can access over the Web

RAID Arrays

(Supported on the C200 only)

Cloud Attached Storage is divided into arrays, each of which consists of one or more physical hard drives. When defining an array you can choose from a variety of array types, including:

• Linear Concatenation (JBOD)

• RAID0 (Striped)

• RAID1 (Mirrored)

Each array type provides a different method of data distribution, resulting in various degrees of storage reliability and array capacity.

Logical Volumes

You can divide each array into multiple volumes, which are logical partitions on the array. The volumes can be resized, as needed.

Easy Sync

Easy Sync allows you to synchronize files from any computer on your network to a folder on the Cloud Attached Storage device. Easy Sync uses Windows File Sharing (CIFS) to synchronize data from your computers.

Advanced Sync

Advanced Sync allows you to synchronize files from any computer on your network (or on the Internet) to your Cloud Attached Storage device, and vice versa.

Advanced Sync supports synchronizing data from and to network computers using a variety of methods, including Windows File Sharing (CIFS), WebDAV, and Rsync. You can also use Advanced Sync to keep two local folders on the Cloud Attached Storage device in sync.

FTP Server

Enable FTP access to allow users to access and download shared files from a CTERA FTP Server.

Users must be authenticated in the CTERA FTP Server using the user name and password defined for them in the Cloud Attached Storage device, in order to access network shares. However, if desired, you can enable anonymous (unauthenticated) downloads from a specific folder.

Fine-Grained Access Control

Control user access to the Web interface and/or shared folders, by adding the desired users in the Web interface.

Access control is based on users and user groups.

Status Dashboard

The Status Dashboard provides an overview of the Cloud Attached Storage device's current status, including the following:

• The disk drive information, depending on the platform

• Volume information

• Resource utilization information

• Scheduled backup operations information

• Recent logged events

Comprehensive Logging

Cloud Attached storage devices include powerful logging capabilities. The Event Log includes the following log categories:

• System logs

• Access logs

• Backup logs

• Synchronization logs

• Audit logs

Syslog Logging

Email Alerts

You can configure the Cloud Attached Storage device to send email alerts upon important events. The alerts can be sent to up to two email addresses.

Automatic Firmware Updates

You can configure your Cloud Attached Storage device to automatically download and install firmware updates. Alternatively, you can install firmware updates manually.

Configuration Backup/Restore

You can back up the Cloud Attached Storage device configuration to a file on your computer, and use this file to restore the Cloud Attached Storage device settings as needed.