Future proof storage infrastructure for Ichthus College with Synology solutions

With Active Backup for Microsoft 365, we can ensure that our cloud data is safe and can be quickly restored if needed.

Milovan Milic, IT Head of IT at Ichthus College

The challenge

Strengthening Backup Systems

Ichthus College was facing a critical situation with their existing devices as these units were approaching the end of their warranty and becoming obsolete. Therefore, the risk of hardware failure became increasingly concerning and the need for storage and backup became increasingly more demanding.

‘We face potential challenges in obtaining hardware replacements or technical assistance in the event of malfunctions. This could result in extended periods of downtime, jeopardizing access to essential data and services for students, faculty, and staff’ Milovan Milic, IT Head of IT at Ichthus College.

Such interruptions could jeopardize the access to essential data and services for their 2,100 students, 230 staff members, and the broader educational community. Critical academic and administrative operations could be severely impacted, undermining their ability to provide a stable and reliable educational environment.

Moreover, their older backup infrastructure wasn’t robust enough to adequately mitigate these risks. Deficient backup systems heighten the risk of irreversible data loss, which could be catastrophic for the school. This vulnerability underscores the necessity of enhancing their backup strategies to ensure that data can be swiftly recovered in the event of hardware failures or other unforeseen incidents.

To address these pressing risks, it was imperative for Ichtus College to acquire additional devices with an extended support plan. Enhancing their backup infrastructure will further safeguard their data, ensuring swift recovery and minimal disruption to their operations.

By taking these proactive measures, Ichthus College can safeguard its valuable data, bolster the resilience and efficiency of its IT infrastructure, and continue to deliver uninterrupted services and support to their educational community. Ensuring the continuity and reliability of their data systems is not just a technical necessity; it is a crucial step in maintaining the trust and confidence of their students, faculty, and staff in the robustness of their educational environment.

The Solution

Strengthening Data Security and Operational Resilience with Synology SA3400D

To address these pressing risks, Ichthus College decided to invest in modern NAS storage devices, equipped with extended support plans. This proactive approach would help them mitigate the risks associated with hardware obsolescence and secure timely assistance during emergencies. Enhancing their backup infrastructure would further safeguard their data, ensuring swift recovery and minimal disruption to their operations.

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The first step into finding the solution was a thorough assessment of the existing infrastructure. The IT team, led by Milovan Milic, identified the specific pain points and vulnerabilities in their current setup. This included evaluating the performance and capacity of the existing NAS units, the reliability of the backup systems, and the overall support and maintenance requirements. Based on this assessment, Ichthus College's primary requirement for their search was that the new infrastructure must a Synology solution.

‘Building upon our familiarity with Synology systems, the new storage solution will utilize Synology NAS units as the foundation. This ensures seamless integration with our current environment and minimizes the learning curve for IT staff’, added Milovan Milic

Once the OS requested was tackled, the search was based on the technical requirements that the new infrastructure had to meet. The Synology SA3400D was the best choice for Ichthus to upgrade their infrastructure. This decision was based on several key factors:

Robust and Scalable Infrastructure: The SA3400D provided the robust and scalable storage solution Ichthus College required. “We needed something that could grow with us, and the SA3400D fit perfectly,” Milic noted.

Redundant Hardware for Continuous Operation: With dual controllers and RAID configurations, the SA3400D ensured continuous operation even in the event of hardware failures. This was critical for maintaining uninterrupted access to data.

High-Speed Network Connectivity: The new system’s high-speed connectivity could allow them for efficient handling of the large volumes of data generated daily. It also supports rapid data retrieval, essential for real-time applications.

Native Backup Solution for Office 365: As the college increasingly relied on cloud-based platforms like Office 365, integrating a native backup solution was essential. This safeguarded emails, documents, and other critical data stored in the cloud.

Comprehensive Support Plan: The solution included a five-year support plan, ensuring timely assistance and firmware updates. “Knowing we have support for the next five years gives us peace of mind,” said Milic.

Once they had set up the SA3400, Ichthus College deployed several solutions to maximize the capabilities of their new infrastructure:

To back up all their Microsoft 365 data, including emails, documents, and other critical information they use Synology’s license free and centralized solution, Active Backup for Microsoft 365. ‘With Active Backup for Microsoft 365, we can ensure that our cloud data is safe and can be quickly restored if needed’ explained Milic.

To guarantee a comprehensive backup for the college’s entire IT environment, including physical servers, virtual machines, and personal computers, the school could make use of the free of license Active Backup for Business: “Active Backup for Business ensures that all our critical systems are protected and can be restored swiftly in case of a failure”.

On top of the backup functionalities provided for DSM, the SA3400D served itself as a repository for Veeam Backup, providing a reliable storage solution for the college’s Veeam backup files. This integration ensured that all Veeam backups were securely stored and readily accessible for recovery.

Finally, the SA3400D also functioned as an SMB share, facilitating seamless backups for various other systems and applications across the college. This feature enabled easy access and management of backup data, streamlining the backup process.

Diagram 1

The Benefits

Boosting School Operations with Advanced Storage Solutions

By embracing this infrastructure upgrade, the school could not only address the immediate challenges posed by aging hardware, but also future proof our storage infrastructure to accommodate evolving needs and technological advancements.

“This strategic investment will enhance data reliability, improve operational efficiency, and empower our educational community to thrive in a digital-first environment. We now have a cost-effective enterprise solution with a dual-controller configuration, which gives us peace of mind during the school holidays, knowing that our data is safe with a fully redundant system. This includes not only a RAID solution but also a dual-controller solution." says Milovan Milic.

This upgrade has brought numerous benefits, blending the strengths of the device and the solutions it supports.

Enhanced Data Security and Reliability. The SA3400D’s robust RAID configurations and dual controllers ensure continuous operation, even during hardware failures. This redundancy is crucial for maintaining uninterrupted access to critical data

Comprehensive Data Backup and Recovery. With Active Backup for Microsoft 365, the school ensures that all their Office 365 data, including emails and documents, are securely backed up. Active Backup for Business extends this protection to our entire IT environment, covering physical servers, virtual machines, and personal computers. "Our backup process is now seamless and reliable, safeguarding against data loss," Milic explains.

Improved Performance and Scalability. The high-speed network connectivity and the possibility to integrate in the future with NVMe SSDs can significantly enhance the school’s system’s performance, enabling rapid data retrieval and efficient handling of large volumes of data.

Seamless Integration. The familiarity leveraging their existing knowledge of the Synology systems, the new infrastructure integrated smoothly with their current environment, minimizing the learning curve for our IT staff. This ensured that applications and services relying on the storage infrastructure continued to function optimally. "It was like fitting a missing puzzle piece," says Milic.

Enhanced SaaS Data Protection. Given the reliance of SaaS services like Office 365, the integration of a native backup solution like Active Backup for Office 365, which is license free, ensures comprehensive data protection. This safeguards emails, documents, and other critical data stored in the cloud, mitigating the risk of data loss or corruption.

Extended Support and Maintenance. The five-year support plan included with the Synology solution ensures timely assistance and firmware updates, guaranteeing the longevity and reliability of our storage infrastructure. "Having access to professional help and updates for the next five years gives us confidence in our system's durability," Milic affirms.

‘By embracing this comprehensive solution, our school can not only address the immediate challenges posed by aging hardware but also future proof our storage infrastructure to accommodate evolving needs and technological advancements.

Ichthus College 2

The Customer

Ichthus College is a prominent educational institution in the Netherlands that emphasizes Christian values and principles as part of its educational philosophy. Located in the town of Veenendaal, within the province of Utrecht, Ichthus College operates as a Christian secondary school on a Reformed basis. Since its founding in 1956 as a Reformed ULO with an initial enrollment of 51 students, the school has grown significantly and now accommodates around 2100 students and employs 230 staff members.

The school functions as a mini society where students and staff work collaboratively, preparing students not only for further academic pursuits but also for active and responsible participation in society. By fostering a community grounded in Reformed Christian values, Ichthus College aims to deliver a holistic education that nurtures both intellectual and moral development.

Education

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Netherlands

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