iCAS Technology

The Most Important Advantages

The iTernity Compliant Archive Solution offers a number of technological key features:

• Patented Content Storage Container (CSC) with 512-bit hash values
• Using standard file system
• Based on industry standards - "proprietary is nothing"
• Integrated encryption (for example AES 256 bit)
• Can run in virtualized environment
• Highly scalable through clustering and load balancing
• Access via slim API or file system gateway
• Certified technology

Patented Content Storage Container

Security without compromise: Our patented Content Storage Container (CSC) technique bundles the archive data with the corresponding meta data (like creation date and retention date) in special containers. These are secured with SHA512 hash values (the most secure industry standard algorithm currently available) against manipulation and unauthorized deletion. Retention times required by law can be managed flexibly per container. Files that have reached the retention date cannot be deleted via the application, but the data can be deleted according to Department of Defense (DoD) guidelines. All access to the iTernity server is recorded, so that the complete history for every CSC container can be recalled.

Uses Standard File System

Because iCAS accesses the standard file system, the application is completely independent from storage manufacturers and technologies. iCAS writes on NAS and SANs from any manufacturer. Even existing storage can be used for archiving. Since users can choose any kind of backup solution, existing processes and know-how can still be used. Hierarchical storage management (HSM) allows transferring data to tapes or other media.

Based on Industry Standards - "Proprietary is Nothing"

iTernity’s approach is based on industry standards like CIFS, SHA512 and AES256 encryption, rather than proprietary technologies. The established Windows 2003 and 2008 servers along with the .NET framework guarantee iCAS performance, stability and scalability in every environment. This offers the user peace of mind for the future. The iTernity archive storage can always be combined with any software and hardware components of third-party vendors.  There are no dependencies on technological isolated solutions. There is also no effort for special training and integrations.

Integrated Encryption

You are free to choose additional protection through encryption in iCAS (for example if you are replicating data over the internet to a second location). Depending on the interface used, encryption can be set for each container (API) or for each application (iFSG). AES 256 is currently the most secure encryption standard in the industry.

Can Run in Virtualized Environment

iCAS servers can operate as completely virtualized appliances (using VMware, Citrix, Hyper-V, and others). All the benefits of a virtualized infrastructure can thus be used for the archive backend, for example server consolidation, hardware independence or easier disaster recovery. iCAS can also be used in combination with common storage virtualization solutions, such as hp LeftHand, Data Core or FalconStor. This adds additional benefits, such as better server utilization, snapshot backups, mirroring etc.

Highly Scalable through Clustering and Load Balancing

iCAS has no limits in its scalability – the archive size as well as the performance can be adjusted according to the user’s needs. It is also possible to set up redundant and highly available configurations, using MS Cluster, Storage Mirroring, Polyserve Cluster, and others.

Access via Web Service API or File System Gateway

Diverse applications such as DMS or EMC products can access the iCAS middleware through a slim web service API. The data is archived on the configured storage system this way. The W3C standard SOAP protocol is used, which allows platform-independent access of data.
As an alternative to the web service API, iCAS offers a file system gateway (iFSG – iTernity File System Gateway). This is also configurable via the iAdmin tool and offers access to the WORM functionality without integration into the ISV programming code. Emulation of NAS archiving industry standard is possible through the “Read Only” mode.
This allows any application with a corresponding interface to use iCAS as an archive backend. In addition, iFSG offers a versioning mode. This allows replacing existing archive data with newer versions, without modifying or overwriting the original.

Certified Technology

iCAS has been certified by two independent entities, the financial auditor company KPMG as well as the renowned advocate for IT and media rights, Dr. Ivo Geis. Both have certified the legal conformity of iCAS for tamper-proof archiving of data, meeting laws like AO, GDPdU, GOBS  and others
To meet the legal compliance for archiving of business-related data, the archiving process in the organization needs to offer an integrated design and be well documented.