One of the unique features of Vembu StoreGrid is the deployment flexibility it offers. This flexibility makes it suitable for a broad spectrum of users.

Depending upon their existing/planned Backup & Storage infrastructure, users can choose a suitable type of deployment (or do a mix and match type of deployment)

1. Service Provider Hosted Remote Online Backup Deployment
2. Peer-to-Peer(P2P) or Grid deployment
3. Dedicated Backup Server deployment (Client-Server)

Service Provider Hosted Remote Online Backup Deployment

Online Backup service provider including MSPs, VARs, SIs etc. can use this deployment to offer an online backup service to their customers. This deployment mode is supported in the StoreGrid Service Provider Edition. Typically, the service provider will install StoreGrid in server mode in the data center and install StoreGrid from a custom Client Only installation (provided by Vembu) in the customer PCs. The Service Provider Edition supports comprehensive customer based management of backup clients, storage, reports etc.

Peer-to-Peer or Grid Deployment (P2P Backup)

In a true P2P deployment StoreGrid can be configured to run both the server and the client in all the desktops or laptops that need to be backed up, thus forming a StoreGrid P2P network. Each individual Peer can then be configured to backup to one (or more) other peers.  This deployment is the most cost-effective solution as it does not require a dedicated backup storage server (and the associated expenses). This is perfect for Home, SoHo, & Small businesses where it is easy to set up a trusted peer-to-peer StoreGrid Backup network. In general, laptops are not suitable for storing other peers' backup since the laptop may not be on the network when needed! So, it is advisable not to configure a laptop as a StoreGrid Server, but run it only in Client mode. In such cases where all peers do not store backup data, the deployment is still a ‘Peer-to-Peer deployment’- but one where all peers are not ‘equal’.

Dedicated Backup Server deployment (Client-Server / Remote Online Backups)

This is a more traditional deployment - ideal for leveraging existing backup infrastructure by allowing customers to include desktop and laptop data.
All the desktops and laptops run the StoreGrid in Client mode only, and they all back up their data to a central backup storage server. The backup storage server alone runs the StoreGrid in Server mode. It is also possible to have more than one backup server for additional data protection. The backup storage server can also be deployed in a remote location to support remote/online backup and disaster recovery.