IT professionals with storage expansion needs can use Gladinet CloudAFS to attach cloud storage to existing IT infrastructure, creating a cost effective multi-tiered storage solution with low migration impact and faster backup or restore times. These benefits come from using local storage as tier one for fast access and attaching cloud storage as tier two for unlimited pay-as-you-go storage. CloudAFS also provides CIFS\NFS access to cloud storage with Active Directory integration and strong data encryption. Furthermore, the concurrent licensing model adopted by CloudAFS makes it very practical for the group access scenario.

Attaching Cloud Storage to a File Server with CloudAFS

Attaching cloud storage gives a file server access to a limitless supply of storage with all the benefits that come from cloud computing:

• Reduced Cost – Cloud storage is paid incrementally, saving organizations money. Traditional storage costs range from $1/GB to $5/GB. Cloud storage costs are much lower.
• Increased Storage – Organizations can store more data than on private computer systems.
• Highly Automated – No longer do IT personnel need to worry about keeping software up to date.
• Flexibility – Cloud computing offers much more flexibility than past computing methods.
• More Mobility – Employees can access information wherever they are, rather than having to remain at their desks.

Combining these benefits with the performance gains from CloudAFS tiered storage management, the introduction of credential based access controls for published shares, and the ability to provide seamless data migration with immediate availability, creates a compelling solution for the organization with restricted IT budgets.