I want to explain the NAS concept as implemented via Netapps in an upcoming meeting.
I am looking for real world examples where snapshot saved someones lunch. Also uses of volume replication for 7X24 and DR.
Well, in one case, there was a widespread infection of files by a new, nasty virus. While the scanners could identify which files were infected, there was no cleaning process available short of removal. Thanks to snapshots, critical executables which had to be deleted were easily recovered.
In another case, during a process where users home directories were moved from one filer to another, one user's directory was accidentally deleted without being moved. Luckily, a snapshot taken at the start of the move process was available for quick recovery.
In numerous examples, users who deleted their files could recover them in seconds, rather than calling IT, who has to wait for the current backup to finish before being able to insert new backup tapes to find the file and restore it, taking all that time and throwing off the whole backup schedule and exposing the company to potential data loss.
Finally - advantages - if they exist - in running Microsoft Exchange mail off a netatpp.
Microsoft Exchange has a known issue where crashes can corrupt the database, causing all email to be lost for everyone. Netapp supposedly has a solution for Exchange with the filer that avoids this issue and allows for quick recovery.
Bruce