1. A method for providing a data backup function, comprising: providing a virtual machine configured for performing a periodic data backup function; providing a physical computing device hosting an application requiring the periodic data backup function; co-locating the virtual machine and the physical computing device by transferring the virtual machine to the physical computing device; and streaming data backup traffic from the virtual machine to a predefined internet protocol address associated with the physical computing device; whereby the data backup function is performed after the co-locating and entirely on a storage area network without streaming the data backup traffic across a local area network.