Question:

“Hello, I seek guidance on establishing a real-time data synchronization system for a hospital. We intend to deploy a data PC that will operate continuously, and we require a secondary PC to mirror all the data from the primary PC in real time. Considering that these PCs may not be manually accessed for extended periods, traditional cloud services like OneDrive or Dropbox may not be suitable. Could you advise on a reliable method to achieve real-time synchronization of all data across the C: and D: drives, effectively creating a ‘mirror’ PC?”

Answer:

In the healthcare industry, where data integrity and availability are paramount, establishing a real-time data synchronization system is crucial. Hospitals require a robust solution to ensure that critical data is always up-to-date and accessible, even in the event of a primary system failure. The challenge lies in creating a ‘mirror’ PC that can seamlessly synchronize data in real time without manual intervention.

The primary objective is to have a secondary PC that mirrors all the data from the primary PC in real time. This setup must be reliable and operate independently of traditional cloud services, which may not be viable due to the lack of regular manual access.

Solutions for Real-Time Data Synchronization

1.

Network Attached Storage (NAS):

A NAS device can serve as a centralized storage point that both PCs can access. It can be configured to automatically sync data between the primary and secondary PCs, ensuring that both have the latest data copies.

2.

Direct Attached Storage (DAS):

DAS is another option where storage devices are directly connected to the primary PC and can be configured to mirror the data to the secondary PC in real time.

3.

Software Solutions:

There are specialized software solutions designed for real-time data replication, such as

RSync, Robocopy, or DFS Replication

. These tools can be set up to continuously monitor and synchronize data between two PCs.

4.

Hardware RAID Mirroring:

Implementing a RAID 1 configuration can create an exact copy of data on two or more disks. This method provides real-time mirroring and redundancy.

5.

Cloud Services with Local Sync:

While traditional cloud services might not seem suitable, some enterprise-level solutions offer local synchronization features that can work in tandem with on-premise hardware to ensure real-time data mirroring.

Considerations for Implementation

–

Security:

Ensure that the synchronization process is secure, especially since it involves sensitive medical data. Encryption and secure authentication should be part of the solution.

–

Scalability:

The system should be scalable to accommodate growing data needs.

–

Reliability:

Choose solutions with proven track records in reliability and uptime.

–

Compliance:

Verify that the solution complies with healthcare regulations like HIPAA.

Conclusion

Creating a ‘mirror’ PC for a hospital requires careful consideration of the synchronization method, security, scalability, and compliance. By evaluating the options and selecting the right combination of hardware and software, hospitals can establish a reliable real-time data synchronization system that ensures continuous access to critical data.