Hybrid Cloud Global File System for Multi-Site Collaboration & AI-Powered Data Resilience

Panzura CloudFS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• How does Panzura CloudFS handle file locking across multiple global locations?

  Panzura CloudFS uses patent-protected global file locking that provides real-time, distributed locking across all locations worldwide. When a user in Tokyo locks a file, users in London and New York see that lock instantly, preventing file conflicts and data corruption. Unlike eventual consistency models used by Nasuni and CTERA, CloudFS's distributed locking architecture operates at the byte-range level and works seamlessly across SMB, NFS, and S3 protocols without relying on sync agents or replication schedules. This eliminates the "last writer wins" scenarios that plague competitor solutions. The system is ideal for engineering teams, media production workflows, and any environment where multiple users need concurrent access to large files across geographically distributed offices, ensuring that collaboration happens in real-time without conflicts or version control issues that disrupt productivity.

• What's the difference between a global file system and cloud file sync-and-share solutions?

  A global file system like Panzura CloudFS presents a single, unified namespace across all locations with real-time consistency, while sync-and-share solutions create separate copies that must be synchronized. CloudFS treats cloud object storage as the authoritative source of truth, with edge nodes providing local-speed access to globally consistent data. This means all offices work on the same live data simultaneously without replication delays or sync conflicts. Sync-and-share platforms like Egnyte potentially require users to sync files to devices, wait for uploads, and risk conflicts when multiple people edit simultaneously. CloudFS provides true distributed file system capabilities with compliance and handles millions of files and petabytes of data that overwhelm traditional sync-and-share architectures. The result is enterprise-grade performance without the version control nightmares inherent to sync-based solutions.

• Can Panzura CloudFS support both file and object storage protocols simultaneously?

  Yes, Panzura CloudFS provides native S3 interface support alongside traditional file protocols (SMB/NFS), offering simultaneous multi-protocol access. Data-intensive applications access files through standard network shares while AI/ML pipelines, data analytics tools, and cloud-native applications access the same data directly via S3 without copying, converting, or moving data. Competitors like Nasuni and CTERA possibly only support file protocols, requiring separate object storage tiers and complex data pipelines. Egnyte's architecture lacks true on-premises file system capabilities. CloudFS's dual-protocol approach eliminates data silos, reduces storage costs, and enables modern workflows without forcing organizations to choose between file-based and object-based access patterns. This architecture future-proofs your infrastructure for cloud-native applications while maintaining compatibility with traditional enterprise software.

• How does Panzura CloudFS handle large CAD, BIM, and engineering files compared to cloud-only solutions?

  Panzura CloudFS deploys edge caching at each office to handle frequently accessed data locally, delivering LAN-speed performance for large CAD assemblies, BIM models, and engineering datasets even when authoritative data lives in cloud object storage. Unlike cloud-only solutions like Egnyte that force all file access across WAN connections, CloudFS's distributed architecture means opening a 500MB Revit file or 2GB SolidWorks assembly happens at local speeds. The system intelligently pre-fetches related files and maintains NVMe caching for hot data. When architects in multiple offices collaborate on the same BIM model, CloudFS's global locking prevents conflicts while each location experiences local performance. Competitors using eventual consistency models (Nasuni) or sync-based architectures (CTERA) possibly introduce delays and conflicts that disrupt design workflows, potentially forcing users to work on local copies rather than master files.
  

• What happens when network connectivity is lost between Panzura CloudFS sites?

  Panzura CloudFS continues operating with full read/write capabilities during network outages, with all changes automatically reconciled once connectivity restores—without data loss or manual intervention. The system maintains a local write journal and uses sophisticated conflict resolution algorithms that preserve data integrity. This resilience is critical for manufacturing plants, remote offices, and locations with intermittent connectivity. Competitors relying on real-time cloud synchronization like Egnyte possibly lose write capabilities during outages or require complex failover procedures. Nasuni's snapshot-based replication and CTERA's sync-and-share model possibly create massive backlogs and conflicts when connectivity restores after extended outages. CloudFS's architecture recognizes that enterprise operations can't stop because of network issues, providing true business continuity without sacrificing global consistency or requiring duplicate infrastructure.

• How does Panzura CloudFS pricing compare to maintaining multiple NAS appliances across global offices?

  Panzura CloudFS eliminates expensive NAS arrays at each location by using cloud object storage as the primary repository, typically reducing storage costs by 50-70% compared to traditional NAS infrastructure. Organizations pay only for cloud storage consumed plus modest edge caching costs, rather than purchasing and maintaining separate multi-terabyte NAS systems with complicated replication setups. Unlike competitors charging per-user licensing (Egnyte), per-TB fees with expensive support tiers (Nasuni), or requiring substantial hardware investments at each site (CTERA), CloudFS offers potentially more predictable pricing that scales with actual storage needs. The solution eliminates hidden costs of data replication bandwidth, backup infrastructure for each NAS, and IT resources required to manage disparate storage silos across locations. Most organizations see ROI within months.

• Can Panzura CloudFS integrate with existing backup and disaster recovery solutions?

  Yes, Panzura CloudFS integrates with enterprise backup solutions through standard protocols, but more importantly, the architecture inherently provides disaster recovery capabilities traditional NAS systems can't match. Since authoritative data lives in cloud object storage with built-in durability (11 nines for AWS S3), your data is automatically protected against local site failures without separate backup infrastructure. CloudFS supports immutable snapshots, point-in-time recovery, and rapid restoration to any location worldwide. If an office becomes unavailable, users immediately access files from any other CloudFS location or through cloud-based access—impossible with traditional NAS or competitors requiring complex failover configurations. The system integrates with Commvault, Veeam, and Rubrik for organizations requiring additional backup tiers, while snapshot-based competitors like Nasuni possibly force you into their proprietary recovery model.

• Does Panzura CloudFS support ransomware protection and recovery?

  Panzura CloudFS provides multi-layered ransomware protection including immutable snapshots, air-gapped recovery points in cloud storage, rapid rollback capabilities, and integration with advanced threat detection systems. The cloud-native design means ransomware attacking an edge location can't reach authoritative data in object storage, and snapshot technology allows instant recovery to any point before the attack. Unlike competitors where ransomware potentially propagates through sync mechanisms (Egnyte, CTERA) or where recovery possibly requires snapshots with significant RPO gaps (Nasuni), CloudFS maintains continuous protection with sub-minute recovery objectives. The geofencing capabilities in CloudFS add another layer by restricting data access based on geographic location, preventing unauthorized access from compromised credentials. Organizations can configure retention policies keeping immutable snapshots for months, ensuring clean recovery points even if ransomware remains undetected for extended periods

• How does Panzura CloudFS handle regulatory compliance requirements like GDPR, HIPAA, or data residency mandates?

  Panzura CloudFS provides granular controls for data residency, encryption, access policies, and audit logging that address complex regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions. The geofencing feature allows organizations to restrict data access based on geographic location, for example, ensuring GDPR-protected EU citizen data isn't accessible from non-EU locations. CloudFS supports encryption at rest and in transit, integrates with enterprise identity management for detailed access controls, and provides comprehensive audit trails showing who accessed data, when, and from where. Organizations can designate specific cloud regions for data storage, ensuring sovereignty compliance without sacrificing global collaboration. Unlike sync-and-share solutions like Egnyte that possibly create data copies across devices and cloud tiers, CloudFS maintains a single authoritative copy with controlled access, simplifying compliance management. Integration with data classification and DLP solutions provides governance layers snapshot-based competitors struggle to implement.