CDP is a relatively new class of technology that offers important returns in specific application domains. However, like any relatively new technology, CDP is likely to be oversold. Specialty CDP vendors may sell it as a general purpose backup/restore (B/R) solution; large vendors with poorly performing B/R products may attempt to reposition existing B/R tools as "CDP like," "CDP ready," or "CDP-lite." The Wikibon community recognizes the need for specific CDP capabilities in specific application environments but does not believe CDP technology is, or ever will be, a general purpose substitute for proven B/R solutions, from tape to subsystem replication. Many factors contribute to our thinking, including:
- Requirements to institute a degree of physical separation between primary and backup systems to accommodate disaster concerns.
- Significant cost differentials between CDP solutions and much cheaper, yet still high performing automated tape systems.
- The potential requirement to backup the CDP system.
- The rapid pace of invention across the B/R technology board.
Action Item: Focus CDP deployment on specific applications featuring significant RPO objectives. Do not try to unilaterally extend CDP into B/R domains being adequately handled by mature B/R technologies.
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