Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/4636
ILTA White Paper Infrastructure Technologies 6 dean leung davis llp A s virtualization technologies have matured, so have the tools required to implement a disaster recovery (DR) plan. Whether you have a limited budget and rely on creative solutions or have a well-funded DR plan, you can achieve similar results. The difference is in the complexity and time involved in activating the DR infrastructure. As an early adopter of a virtualized environment, and with a recent update of storage and DR technologies, Davis LLP has experienced both the inexpensive and more costly solutions. With this perspective, we will review the merits of each. DISASTER RECOVERY AND BUSINESS CONTINUITY DEFINED DR should be a part of a broader business continuity (BC) plan to ensure the continued operation of the IT infrastructure in the event of a natural or man-made disruptive event. In a centralized data center environment, this must include the continued operation of the organization even with the total loss of the primary data center. The complexity in a DR plan is that it must account for a wide range of potential events, which can range from a cut cable to a hurricane that requires an evacuation of the city. Having a DR plan that outlines the cutover in the event of a declared emergency is only the detective component of the three core aspects of a BC plan. A complete DR plan should include preventive, detective and restorative processes. Likewise, a full BC plan needs to take into consideration the required personnel, facilities and client-staff communications in order for the redundant IT infrastructure to be effectively utilized in a disaster situation. Revisiting Disaster Recovery in a Virtualized Environment