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Technology Infrastructure Company Streamlining Network Storage with Backblaze B2
Company Situation
The company operates within the technology infrastructure sector, managing large-scale data workflows on high-performance networks. The team primarily uses Windows 11 environments and works with substantial data transfers, leveraging a 10-gigabit LAN and a 1-gigabit WAN connection. They are preparing to scale their operations into full production within the next few months and require a robust, reliable file transfer and storage solution.
Existing Workflow
Currently, the company uses a mix of local network storage solutions and cloud storage services, including Backblaze B2, to handle data uploads and downloads. Their workflow involves moving large files—such as 24GB files—across local and cloud environments, primarily through manual uploads using either native app interfaces or mounted drives. These transfers are critical for their operational efficiency and data synchronization.
Issues with the Existing Workflow
The company has encountered several technical challenges that hinder optimal performance:
Upload speeds with the current system are capped at around 250 MB/s for large files, significantly below their network’s theoretical maximum of approximately 850–900 Mbps.
Stability issues on Windows machines, particularly with the mounted drive experience, where File Explorer crashes after extended use with the mounted drive, interrupting workflows and risking data integrity.
Concerns about the reliability and speed of their cloud storage provider, Backblaze B2, especially given previous experiences with speed limitations and the possibility of migrating to other providers like Amazon S3, which could impact costs.
How Shade Would Change Their Workflow
Shade offers a bundled, optimized cloud storage and file transfer solution designed to maximize upload and download efficiency while maintaining stability across platforms. By utilizing Shade’s dedicated app for bulk uploads, the company can bypass some of the limitations encountered with mounted drives, leveraging app-level optimizations tailored for large file transfers. Shade’s partnership with Backblaze B2 ensures cost-effective storage, while ongoing engineering efforts focus on improving Windows stability and maximizing throughput speeds closer to the company’s network capabilities. The company also benefits from a unified platform that integrates multiple tools into a seamless workflow, reducing complexity and operational overhead.
Benefits
- Improved upload and download speeds optimized for high-capacity networks
- Enhanced stability on Windows environments, reducing crashes and workflow interruptions
- Cost-effective storage via Backblaze B2 with an eye on potential future migrations to maintain competitive pricing
- Simplified bulk upload workflows through a dedicated app optimized for large file transfers
- Comprehensive bundled solution that consolidates multiple tools, streamlining operations and support
- Dedicated engineering support to resolve platform-specific issues and enhance user experience
Technologies Used
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