Using Symantec NetBackup OpenStorage for disk-to-disk backup and recovery

Deduplication addresses the first issue -- it changes the economics of disk-based backup, allowing more data to be stored in a smaller footprint. The second problem is the new pain point for end users that have adopted disk. How can they rapidly, securely, cost-effectively, and efficiently get data offsite for disaster recovery (DR) or long-term retention? Sure, most target devices with deduplication can replicate copies, but is the backup application's catalog aware of the copy? That's where Symantec Corp. Veritas NetBackup OpenStorage (OST) technology comes in.

Symantec announced its NetBackup OpenStorage initiative a few years ago. It is designed to allow NetBackup users to utilize third-party storage solutions without the need for tape emulation.

Available as an option for NetBackup 6.5 and higher, NetBackup OpenStorage gives NetBackup a common interface for third-party disk targets. N...

Digg This!     StumbleUpon     Del.icio.us

RELATED CONTENT 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? Disk-based backup Texas Tech turns to data deduplication for data backup, disaster recovery EMC gives Avamar desktop and laptop support Modern data backup and recovery system considerations Arkeia takes aim at EMC Avamar with Kadena Systems data deduplication IP buy SQL Server data backup and recovery best practices Data backup and recovery vendors dig into deduplication technology, aim for cloud backup Quantum launches midrange data deduplication backup appliances Data backup news briefs: ProStor Systems ships InfiniVault removable disk backup appliance for SMBs BakBone phasing out virtual tape library, adds data deduplication with NetVault Backup 8.5 EMC's Slootman: No data deduplication for Disk Library virtual tape library 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

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

etBackup sees OST-enabled appliances as disk, enabling features such as intelligent capacity management, media server load balancing, reporting, and lifecycle policies. It also delivers optimized duplication. Without OST, NetBackup media servers have to manage all duplicate backup copies, which means that data must be transferred across the LAN, WAN, or SAN from the primary site secondary storage to a NetBackup media server and then to the disaster recovery site storage medium (i.e., another appliance of the same type or tape media). With OST, the OST-enabled device is doing the replication and the data path does not include NetBackup media servers. This means that only changed segments are replicated, creating savings in bandwidth and, importantly, time. NetBackup is aware of all copies and those copies follow established retention policies.

Symantec Technology Enabled Program (STEP) partners -- such as Data Domain, EMC Corp., FalconStor Software, and Quantum Corp. -- leverage the NetBackup OpenStorage technology API to create plug-ins for their storage systems. OST allows for backup data to be stored on disk with whatever protocol the target device uses, such as a Fibre Channel or TCP/IP. Based on NetBackup policies or commands, the OST-enabled device will create, duplicate or delete copies.

One of the more interesting byproducts of the use of the NetBackup OpenStorage interface is the performance improvement in backup. Several STEP partners with an OST-enabled solution claim 50% to100% improvement in backup performance. Richard Nosal, a server administrator for High Point Regional Health System in Greensboro, N.C., implemented the NetBackup OST option with a Data Domain DD660 and saw his pre-OST 10-hour backup window with a virtual tape library cut in half.

Since the NetBackup catalog is aware of all copies, recovery of data from a NetBackup OpenStorage-optimized duplicate copy is the same as recovery from another duplicate. Through NetBackup's Backup-Archive-Restore GUI, the OST-optimized duplicate copy can be designated as the primary copy and then a full or granular recovery can be initiated. The potential time savings over recovery from a non-OST-optimized duplicate could be significant.

About this author: Lauren Whitehouse is an analyst with Enterprise Strategy Group and covers data protection technologies. Lauren is a 20-plus-year veteran in the software industry, formerly serving in marketing and software development roles.