DATA BACKUP/RESTORE DEVICES

摘要

A data backup/restore device (1), which is not itself a computer workstation or file server, is provided for backing up and restoring data supplied over a local area network (3) comprising at least one computer workstation and optionally a file server interconnected by network connection means. The device (1) comprises a data storage device (2), a storage device controller (4), a decoder/encoder (8) and a LAN interface (9) for connection to the network connection means separately from a computer workstation or file server, and a LAN co-processor (6) for transferring data between the data storage device (2) and the computer workstation. Such a data backup/restore device (1) can be connected to the local area network (3) at a location remote from any computer workstation or file server within the network, and is capable of performing data backup/restore operations and data interchange with any computer workstation or file server (where at least one file server is provided) without the need for direct connection to the computer workstation or file server and without the need to load and run any software on the file server.