"Replication" is the process of making a copy of something, or of creating a replica. In different contexts, such as art (copies of a painting), bioscience (cloning), or even furniture and autos (recreating a classic), replication can mean many different things, with varying levels of exactness and timeliness.

The same is true in the world of data protection: there are several forms of replication, each with its own features and value propositions, and each with its own relative shortcomings.

This paper will define the different types of data replication, and discuss the relative strengths and weaknesses of each, allowing the reader to make an informed decision on what technology is best for his/her particular needs. In this paper are also explained a couple of common data protection alternatives to replication, and finish up with a description of the Overland Storage® Snap Enterprise Data Replicator™ (Snap EDR) approach to replication.