Top 10 things to ask a vendor when buying backup software

1. What devices -- tape, disk or removable media -- does the backup software support? Does it also support all the operating system environments you have and virtualized environments such as VMware? Does it support LTO-4 tape environments? Does it support virtual tape libraries (VTLs) from vendors such as Diligent Technologies, EMC Corp. and Sepaton? Does the software support files that are open during the backup process? Does it need to quiesce any database environments to back them up?
2. Does the backup software include a snapshot capability either as an integrated component or an optional module that will let you take point-in-time copies of the data? Snapshot backups shouldn't be considered a replacement for regularly scheduled backups, but they can supplement your backup process with short-term volumes. If a snapshot feature is available, you should find out how snapshots can be stored.
3. The capability to back up remote and branch offices is increasingly important for businesses who have remote locations without dedicated or skilled IT support. Find out if your backup software has this capability.
4. What is the performance of the system with the software in place? Are there performance benchmarks the vendor can supply you with? Are tools available that will identify bottlenecks and predict the performance on the network?
5. Does the software include encryption and compression capability? If so, what is the performance degradation you can expect to see with encryption and compression enabled, and what is the impact on the server hosting the backup application? You should also find out if encryption and compression can be turned off if system performance degradation is seen.
6. Does the software support remote management? Is there authentication to prevent unauthorized access? Can IT schedule incremental, differential, synthetic and full backups and can different backup types be scheduled by policies on different machines?
7. Does the software have an option for
   To continue reading for free, register below or login

   Requires Membership to View

   To gain access to this and all member only content, please provide the following information:

   Email Address:
   
   
   

   By joining SearchDataBackup.com you agree to receive email updates from the TechTarget network of sites, including updates on new content, magazine or event notifications, new site launches and market research surveys. Please verify all information and selections above. You may unsubscribe at any time from one or more of the services you have selected by editing your profile or unsubscribing via email.
   
   TechTarget cares about your privacy. Read our Privacy Policy
   To read more you must become a member of SearchDataBackup.com

   As an existing member of the TechTarget network please activate your SearchDataBackup.com account 

   By joining SearchDataBackup.com you agree to receive email updates from the TechTarget network of sites, including updates on new content, magazine or event notifications, new site launches and market research surveys. Please verify all information and selections above. You may unsubscribe at any time from one or more of the services you have selected by editing your profile or unsubscribing via email.
   
   TechTarget cares about your privacy. Read our Privacy Policy
   
   
   

   Digg This!     StumbleUpon     Del.icio.us

   
   
   
   

   RELATED CONTENT Data storage backup tools HP expands laptop and desktop data backup with Data Protector Notebook Extension Data backup and recovery news briefs: Rackspace unveils cloud-based file storage apps EMC gives Avamar desktop and laptop support Terremark acquires managed data backup and recovery provider DS3 DataVaulting Data backup and recovery news briefs: Dynamic Solutions introduces data deduplication products Creating a System Recovery Disk in Windows 7: A step-by-step tutorial Modern data backup and recovery system considerations Data backup and recovery news briefs: Thales Group releases CryptoStor Tape 3.0 appliance Data archiving reduces data backup workload prior to data deduplication Symantec releases Linux version of Backup Exec System Recovery Backup and recovery Criteria for choosing the right tape encryption solution for your data backup plan Creating a System Recovery Disk in Windows 7: A step-by-step tutorial Modern data backup and recovery system considerations SQL Server data backup and recovery best practices Secure your data backups with encryption key management best practices Using data deduplication with backup applications: Source vs. target dedupe Data backup for virtual machines: Alternative methods to VMware Consolidated Backup Upgrading from LTO-3 to LTO-4 tape for data backup and recovery Is VMware Consolidated Backup right for your enterprise? Is cloud data backup service right for your organization? Data reduction and deduplication Texas Tech turns to data deduplication for data backup, disaster recovery EMC gives Avamar desktop and laptop support Data backup and recovery news briefs: Dynamic Solutions introduces data deduplication products Data archiving reduces data backup workload prior to data deduplication Arkeia takes aim at EMC Avamar with Kadena Systems data deduplication IP buy Data backup and recovery news briefs: Druvaa Software updates flagship product, releases inSync v3.1 Data backup and recovery vendors dig into deduplication technology, aim for cloud backup Data backup and recovery news briefs: Data Domain upgrades data deduplication appliances Using data deduplication with backup applications: Source vs. target dedupe Quantum launches midrange data deduplication backup appliances

   RELATED RESOURCES 2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary

   
   
   href="http://searchdatabackup.techtarget.com/news/article/0,289142,sid187_gci1310852,00.html">continuous data protection (CDP), in which files and or blocks of data are backed up as changes are made? If so, how granular is the rollback process? Does the software only do CDP for files, or are databases such as Exchange, SQL Server and Oracle included?

8. Is backup reporting software available that reports on the status of the backup, the utilization of the backup media and the success of backup processes?
9. Investigate any potential vendor's reputation. How long has it been in business? How many copies of the software have been installed? How long has the product been on the market? Does it have customers you can talk with that will help with your purchasing decision?
10. You must find out what kind of support is available with you backup software. Is there training available? How much does training cost? Is there a charge for support? What different levels of support are there?

Backing up the data on your network is critical to the stability of your business. When you are buying new backup software, be sure to ask these questions to help you find the best backup software for your business.

About this author: Deni Connor is principal analyst with Storage Strategies NOW in Austin, TX.

Rate this Tip To rate tips, you must be a member of SearchDataBackup.com. Register now to start rating these tips. Log in if you are already a member. DISCLAIMER: Our Tips Exchange is a forum for you to share technical advice and expertise with your peers and to learn from other enterprise IT professionals. TechTarget provides the infrastructure to facilitate this sharing of information. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or validity of the material submitted. You agree that your use of the Ask The Expert services and your reliance on any questions, answers, information or other materials received through this Web site is at your own risk.