NEWSLETTER - COPING WITH DATA BACKUPS
Including disk in the backup strategy makes sense for many companies, but most cannot afford to keep more than a few days of their backup data on fast recovery media as the cost of conventional RAID arrays is simply too high. The result is that users either have to keep moving data off their backup devices or let their backup data expire. In either case the value of disk in the backup process is compromised.
The role of data de-duplication
Data de-duplication technology fundamentally changes the role of disk in backup. It gives users a cost-effective way to retain their backup data on disk for weeks or months, making their file restores fast and easy and increasing the number of available recovery points.
Disk-based backup appliances that utilise data de-duplication technology can offer an IT professional a combination of advantages, including:
- Ease of use
- Extended retention
- Fast restores
- Cost savings
They can also make replication of backup data over WANs a practical tool for providing off-site protection for backup data.
How does data de-duplication work?
Data de-duplication operates at a block level to find and eliminate redundant data. When a storage device that uses data de-duplication technology sees a repeated block of data, it stores a pointer instead of storing the block again. Because it works at a block level, it is much more powerful than single-instance store technology that looks for duplicate files.
Data de-duplication is especially powerful when it is applied to backup, since most backup data sets have a great deal of redundancy. It is common to see a backup appliance with data de-duplication technology holding 10 to 50 times more backup data than a conventional disk storage product. The size of this advantage depends on the data being backed up, the backup methodology, and the length of time data is retained.
Part of the value of data de-duplication is the significant cost advantage. Over 10 backup jobs, data that has been de-duplicated will take up less than 10% of the disk space of normally backed up data. The savings that this can realise provides a very powerful ROI argument and short payback period.
The Nviron solution
Nviron have partnered with market-leader Quantum to offer data de-duplication solutions. Their DXi series disk backup and replication systems use Quantum's patented data de-duplication technology to dramatically increase the role that disk can play in data protection.
With DXi-Series solutions, users can retain 10 to 50 times more backup data on fast recovery disk than with conventional arrays. This advantage allows IT departments to cost-effectively retain months of backup data on disk for faster, more reliable restores and more data recovery points. Quantum's innovative implementation of this core technology means that users do not have to compromise on performance to take advantage of extended retention capability. DXi solutions support both in-line and post-processing de-duplication methodologies - allowing users to realise optimal use of disk resources and achieve the performance (up to 8TB/hour) needed to complete critical jobs during short backup windows.
The DXi range includes:
- DXi3500 and DXi5500 - The Quantum DXi3500 and DXi5500 disk backup solutions make data de-duplication and remote replication easy to install and use in distributed environments and midrange data centres. These integrated appliances offer an intuitive graphical user interface for local and remote management and provide a choice of presentations that make them easy to integrate into existing backup environments.
- DXi7500 - The DXi7500 is the Enterprise disk backup solution that integrates data de-duplication and replication technology to connect backup and DR protection across distributed corporate environments. The DXi7500 scales to 240TB of raw capacity and it features 8TB/hour performance, direct creation of physical tape and an active-active redundant architecture that eliminates all single points of failure
To find out more how data de-duplication can help benefit your organisation, or to see a demonstration of the technology in action, please contact us on 01928 809000.
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