NetApp GFC Replacement: Upgrading to Modern File Caching Solutions

NetApp Global File Cache (GFC) offers businesses a single, cloud-based file system, consolidating distributed file servers into a globally accessible, centralized storage system. GFC caches active data sets in remote offices, enabling enterprises to access and collaborate on centralized, cloud-based data in real-time.

Limitations

While many businesses utilize NetApp GFC, it has notable limitations:

• Handling Large Files: GFC struggles with efficiently managing large files.
• Performance Issues: Users often experience slow performance.
• End of Support: NetApp has stopped providing support services for certain GFC products and software.

Relying on unsupported systems can lead to risks, including latency, reduced security, and a lack of maintenance updates. Transitioning away from NetApp GFC to a more robust solution can enhance productivity and performance for businesses.

Understanding the Need for a NetApp GFC Replacement

Global File Caching: Benefits and NetApp GFC EOSL

Global File Caching: This technology benefits businesses by streamlining collaboration across different locations and enhancing efficiency through a centralized data storage hub, rather than relying on multiple distributed systems.

NetApp GFC End of Service Life (EOSL)

NetApp’s Global File Cache (GFC) will reach its end-of-service life (EOSL) on May 31, 2024. This means NetApp will no longer provide support services, including technical support and maintenance updates.

 Continuing to use NetApp GFC without support can lead to:

• Decreased Performance: Without updates, performance may degrade over time.
• Reduced Security: Lack of security updates increases vulnerability to cyber threats.
• Impacted File Sharing: File sharing capabilities may suffer, affecting data consistency and workflow optimization.

As a result, many businesses are seeking replacements for NetApp GFC to ensure continued productivity and enhanced performance.

PeerGFS: A Reliable and Scalable Alternative to NetApp GFC

As businesses seek a dependable alternative to NetApp GFC, PeerGFS by Peer Software stands out as a next-generation global file caching and data synchronization solution. Ideal for data replication, file sharing, and collaboration, PeerGFS addresses file management and replication challenges in multi-site, multi-platform, and hybrid multi-cloud environments.

Key Features of PeerGFS

• Active-Active Data Centers: Supports real-time replication and high availability across on-premises and cloud locations.
• Global File Locking: Ensures fast, local access to shared file data without version conflicts across distributed mirrored storage systems.
• Cross-Platform Integration: Allows replication, synchronization, sharing, and backup across major storage and cloud providers.
• No Vendor Lock-In: A non-proprietary, software-based solution that supports native file and object formats.
• Continuous Data Protection: Protects data from the edge to the data center by backing up file data to on-premises or cloud-based storage.
• Edge Caching: Optimizes the storage footprint of edge systems with a local file cache, controlling the cost of unstructured data growth.
• Malicious Event Detection (MED): Monitors file activity for suspicious behaviors and patterns, adding an extra layer of security.

Additional Benefits of PeerGFS

• Real-Time File Synchronization: Enhances productivity and efficiency across distributed environments.
• Advanced Data Protection and Collaboration: Ensures data is consistently updated and secure.
• Scalable Architecture: Grows with your business needs, offering flexibility and scalability.
• Multi-Master Source Systems: Unlike NetApp GFC, which has single master and many edges, PeerGFS supports multi master and many edges. This allows changes to be replicated to all other masters, ensuring high availability if one system goes down.

These features and benefits make PeerGFS a compelling choice for businesses transitioning from NetApp GFC, enhancing productivity and performance.

Transitioning to PeerGFS: A Step-by-Step Guide

Migrating from NetApp GFC to PeerGFS might seem daunting, but Peer Software offers solutions to ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption and downtime. Here’s how you can make the switch effectively:

PeerGFS Replication is designed to help businesses migrate from older legacy file storage systems to newer ones with minimal downtime.

Key Features:

• No Final Scan Required: Traditional large data migration projects often need a final scan comparing the old and new storage systems, leading to downtime. PeerGFS Replication eliminates this need, reducing downtime.
• API Integration: Utilizes API integration for seamless data transfer.
• Real-Time Data Replication Engine: Ensures continuous data replication, minimizing downtime and ensuring a smooth transition.

Partnering with Peer Software

By partnering with Peer Software, you can benefit from tailored deployment and support, making the transition from NetApp GFC to PeerGFS hassle-free. Our world-class technical support team is available to guide you through the process, ensuring you overcome the traditional challenges associated with migration.

For more information on the transition process, reach out to our technical support team and take the first step towards enhanced productivity and performance with PeerGFS.

Maximizing the Value of PeerGFS in Modern Business

As modern businesses look to scale and demand reliable global file caching and synchronization, PeerGFS stands out as a valuable solution and robust alternative to NetApp GFC. By providing data replication, file sharing, and collaboration capabilities, PeerGFS enhances teamwork across locations.

Key Benefits of PeerGFS

• Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery: PeerGFS offers continuous data protection and malicious event detection, ensuring data security and accessibility.
• Data Security, Integrity, and Compliance: PeerGFS features help modern businesses maintain data security and integrity while ensuring compliance.
• Cloud Backup/Replication: Enterprises can back up file data to on-premises or cloud storage locations without expensive hardware or proprietary file systems. The cloud data is in an open format, immediately accessible for value-added cloud analytics services.
• Quick Data Recovery: Users can swiftly recover individual files or entire data sets to any point in time.

By leveraging PeerGFS, businesses can optimize their operational efficiency, foster enhanced collaboration, and ensure robust data protection and recovery.