Whether you’re a single user or an organisation managing multiple devices and locations, server replication is a proactive step in protecting your people, processes and data. By creating a secondary server, you can rest assured that your colleagues and customers are not impacted if your primary server fails.
Many businesses learn about server replication the hard way. But Syntec is here to advise you of what server replication is, why all businesses need it, and how we can help you optimise your IT systems by simply replicating your IT server.
The Important Role of Your Server
The server is a key part of an IT system. It acts as the central hub within your network to help everyone access essential software, documents, and data – sharing information to different users and devices, while ensuring confidentiality, consistency and efficiency at all times.
What Is Server Replication?
Server replication is a process where we create an identical copy of your server’s data on another, secondary server. This includes everything from software, networks and configurations to user logins, profiles, and sensitive information. The purpose of replicating your server like-for-like is to ensure key data and programmes are readily available to guarantee business continuity.
How to Replicate a Server
There are three types of server replication. Our technicians can recommend the best type of replication to support the size of your business, processes and future goals.
1. Real-Time Replication
As information is changed, processes are updated, and accounts are amended, these actions are instantly copied to the replica server as they happen.
2. Scheduled Replication
Replicating data to the secondary server is scheduled for a specific time convenient to you and your business.
3. Snapshot Replication
Document a specific point in time of your IT network. We conduct a time-specific snapshot, which is replicated and stored in the secondary server.
Server Replication vs Data Backups
We often hear, “My data is already backed up. Why do I need a replica as well?”
Regular backups of your data are an important task in maintaining and preserving information and processes. However, data backups simply create copies of documents and systems for archival and recovery purposes – ideal for when data is lost.
Server replication mirrors your entire IT network, operating exactly like your live network would. This means that it can step in at any time to ensure access to key data and that operations can continue to run smoothly and securely.
The Benefits of Server Replication
If you’re still wondering why you need to replicate your server, read through the four key business advantages below:
1. Disaster Recovery
Server replication creates a secondary server. If the primary server fails due to hardware issues, cyber-attacks, or even natural disasters, the secondary server will step in instantly, allowing businesses to run as usual.
2. Minimise Downtime
Often, a secondary server will step in without users even noticing. Because they mirror your network, they operate as normal, enabling users to continue with daily tasks with no delays to data access.
3. Easy Scalability
As your company grows, so will the number of users. Server replication enables the distribution of information, software and workload across multiple users and devices. Managing the increased traffic to ensure efficiency and improved performance.
4. Data Security & Accuracy
With continuous, real-time replication, you have peace of mind that information and processes are regularly up to date. Reducing the risk of inconsistency or lost data while providing an improved customer service and workflow.
Do I Need to Replicate My Server?
Even though every business is different, every business requires a level of server replication. It’s a proactive step to help protect your people, processes and systems. The level of replication can also be tailored to your organisation’s requirements, goals and budget. At Syntec, we’ll work with you to assess your current infrastructure to recommend the best level of server replication.
Speak to the Experts
Are you ready to futureproof your business? Get in touch with our IT experts to receive a free quote and schedule your server replication today. We also offer a range of additional IT services to strengthen your IT systems, including Backup Services and Disaster Recovery Plans. Consider Syntec your IT partners; here to remove your IT challenges and optimise your IT infrastructure.
