Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

• What is NetBackup Instant Recovery for VMware?

  Symantec's NetBackup Instant Recovery for VMware feature can provide organizations with instant recovery capabilities, but backup server power issues can be a concern.  Continue Reading

• Is deduplication ratio an important backup consideration?

  The deduplication ratio was once a point of vendor competition, but now this figure doesn’t carry the weight it used to. Learn why in this Expert Answer.  Continue Reading

• Is Microsoft ReFS a replacement for data backup?

  While Microsoft ReFS can improve data integrity, it is not an alternative to data backup. Expert Brien Posey explains some of the key features of the file system.  Continue Reading

• When is a flat backup appropriate for my workload?

  Protecting data with a flat backup may be the right choice for a workload, but there are several factors an organization must consider when making that decision.  Continue Reading

• What are some flat backup misconceptions?

  Flat backup, which is based around storage snapshots, is gaining popularity. But the technology can't protect every resource in an organization. We debunk the top fallacies.  Continue Reading

• How does Office 365 Clutter affect data retention?

  The Microsoft Office 365 Clutter feature is designed to clean up email inboxes, but the feature is not perfect. Learn how to overcome data retention issues that may arise.  Continue Reading

• Would you ever perform Oracle backups without RMAN?

  While RMAN is typically used for Oracle backups, it is possible and sometimes necessary to use a different backup method.  Continue Reading

• When should you use PowerShell backup?

  Windows PowerShell can be used in conjunction with your backup software for specific data protection tasks. Find out how and when to use PowerShell backup.  Continue Reading

• How does a storage snapshot work with flat backup?

  A flat backup may be cheaper than a traditional backup. It's based around use of a storage snapshot, which can provide nearly instantaneous recovery.  Continue Reading

• Will Cohesity converged data protection management catch on?

  Startup Cohesity is taking a converged approach to data protection management that cuts down on the number of products required to keep data safe. But will other vendors follow?  Continue Reading

• Which vendors support Oracle RMAN backup and recovery?

  It's important to carefully analyze if a given backup software platform supports Oracle RMAN backup and recovery, as the level of support varies from vendor to vendor.  Continue Reading

• How does Rubrik's cloud time machine work?

  While Rubrik's cloud time machine may not offer new capabilities, the company's distributed file system provides a new way to handle versioned data.  Continue Reading

• Can I use backed-up data for analytics?

  While analytics and software for backed-up data appear to serve different purposes, there are a few ways the two can work together.  Continue Reading

• Are WAN optimization techniques in backup products reliable?

  Many backup software products now include WAN optimization techniques, but will users be quick to give up hardware-based WAN optimization?  Continue Reading

• What is the best archival media type?

  Many archival media types are available, including disk and cloud, but their level of reliability and storage density varies.  Continue Reading

• Are P2V server conversions being supplanted by V2V conversions?

  While physical-to-virtual server conversions are common, virtual-to-virtual conversions are becoming increasingly popular among backup vendors.  Continue Reading

• Why does Oracle Recovery Manager matter for backup?

  Oracle Recovery Manager not only handles underlying maintenance tasks, but increases database backup and recovery performance.  Continue Reading

• What is Oracle Flashback Technology and is it a form of backup?

  With Oracle Flashback Technology, users can return data to a past status without traditional backup or restoration. But it's not a backup replacement.  Continue Reading

• What does VMware VVOLs support do for backup software products?

  VMware Virtual Volumes make storage array data services available to virtual machines. But what does it mean when a backup software product supports VVOLs?  Continue Reading

• Will VMware VVOLs affect my virtual data protection strategy?

  VMware VVOLs change how virtual machine storage is consumed, allowing data protection features to be managed at the software level.  Continue Reading

• What are the top five misconceptions about cloud-to-cloud data backup?

  Protecting data created in the cloud is a low priority for many organizations. Learn the biggest fallacies about cloud-to-cloud backup.  Continue Reading

• What are the top misconceptions about instant recovery?

  Instant recovery allows users to run a virtual machine from a backup copy. We list the top five fallacies around the technology.  Continue Reading

• How difficult is failback from a backup virtual machine?

  Recovery in place allows users to run apps from a backup virtual machine. Brien Posey explains the two steps involved with failing back to the primary VM.  Continue Reading

• Does a VMware restore differ from a Hyper-V restore?

  Restoring VMware and Hyper-V virtual machines from a backup are similar processes, but there are a few important differences to keep in mind.  Continue Reading

• How does the Cloud to Cloud Backup feature work with Asigra Cloud Backup?

  The Cloud to Cloud Backup feature is part of Asigra's agentless Cloud Backup software platform. Learn how it is used in this Expert Answer.  Continue Reading

• What are the challenges with protecting Docker container data?

  Expert Brien Posey explains how Docker's architecture affects backups and how to best approach backing up Docker data.  Continue Reading

• Are there tools that help users migrate from one backup product to another?

  Backup software vendors such as CommVault offer services and/or software that assist customers with migrating from a competing product.  Continue Reading

• My backup appliance lacks cloud connectors. Is there a workaround?

  Some integrated backup appliances feature cloud connectivity that allows them to replicate the contents of a locally stored backup to the cloud.  Continue Reading

• How do you perform Docker backup?

  Few backup software providers offer Docker container backup support, but is there a way to back up Docker containers with any backup software?  Continue Reading

• Is copy data management a replacement for backup?

  Copy data management can be a backup replacement in certain situations, but organizations need to be aware of its limitations.  Continue Reading

• Is backing up cloud data possible using traditional backup software?

  Backing up cloud resources is similar to backing up local resources, but standard backup applications aren't always the way to back up cloud data.  Continue Reading

• Tape vs. disk: Which offers the greatest energy efficiency?

  Jon Toigo looks at the factors that determine whether disk or tape is more energy-efficient.  Continue Reading

• Which technology has affected tape storage capacity the most?

  Learn how Barium Ferrite perpendicular magnetic recording has impacted tape storage.  Continue Reading

• Is tape media storage reliability increasing due to innovation?

  The reliability of tape has steadily improved over the years, making it almost invulnerable to risk at this point, according to Jon Toigo.  Continue Reading

• How are major cloud providers using tape storage today?

  Find out why primary cloud providers such as Google and Amazon are shifting to tape -- and what that means for you.  Continue Reading

• How to address SQL Server data backup challenges

  What are the biggest challenges associated with backing up SQL Server?  Continue Reading

• What are good version retention objectives for archives?

  Recovery point objectives and recovery time objectives for backups are well understood, but what about version retention objectives for archives?  Continue Reading

• Where the cloud fits in your data protection scheme in 2015

  Where does the cloud best fit into data protection, archiving, DR or backup?  Continue Reading

• What additional functions should users expect from their backup app?

  Should your backup app do more than just backup data?  Continue Reading

• Dealing with Active Directory restore challenges

  What are the biggest challenges with backing up Active Directory?  Continue Reading

• Exchange Server data backup challenges

  What are the biggest challenges associated with backing up Exchange Server data? Brien Posey discusses in this Expert Answer.  Continue Reading

• What does CommVault Simpana 10 error code 19:757 mean?

  What does CommVault Simpana 10 error code 19:757 mean and how do I resolve it?  Continue Reading

• What does CommVault Simpana 10 error code 19:861 mean?

  What does CommVault Simpana 10 Error code 19:861 mean and how do I resolve it?  Continue Reading

• What is Data Domain Boost and what is it used for?

  SearchDataBackup Senior Site Editor Andrew Burton explains what EMC's Data Domain Boost software is designed for, how it works, and which products it supports in this Expert Answer.  Continue Reading

• What is Simpana OnePass and how does it work?

  Learn about this feature of CommVault's Simpana backup software platform aimed at streamlining backup and archiving processes and reducing the amount of data stored across the two.  Continue Reading

• What are the differences between file sync and share and backup?

  George Crump of Storage Switzerland discusses mobile device data protection, comparing products that perform file synchronization to products that perform an actual backup.  Continue Reading

• How can I reduce my cloud storage costs?

  What are the top five ways to save money on cloud storage costs for data protection?  Continue Reading

• How copy data management differs from traditional backup

  Independent backup expert Brien Posey discusses what the term 'copy data management' means and how it differs from traditional backup.  Continue Reading

• How to estimate the lifespan of backup tape media

  Brien Posey offers advice on how to estimate the useful lifespan of backup tape media based on how it is used, in this Expert Answer.  Continue Reading

• Hypervisor-based replication in VMware and Hyper-V

  Independent backup expert Brien Posey discusses native hypervisor-based replication in VMware and Hyper-V, in this Expert Answer.  Continue Reading

• Resolving CommVault Simpana error code 91:29

  Independent backup expert Brien Posey details what causes CommVault Simpana error 91:29 and how to resolve it in this Expert Answer.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for backing up server SSL certificates

  Independent backup expert Brien Posey discusses whether server SSL certificates should be backed up separately in this Expert Answer.  Continue Reading

• Debating the importance of Box.com backup

  Learn whether Box.com backup is a good idea in this Expert Answer from independent backup expert Brien Posey.  Continue Reading

• Why backup monitoring software is growing in popularity

  Brien Posey discusses why backup monitoring software is growing in popularity and how it can help IT admins ensure effective backups.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for backing up Active Directory

  Brien Posey discusses whether Windows Backup is the preferred method for backing up Active Directory or whether any backup software can be used.  Continue Reading

• Misconceptions about using a single platform for backup and archive

  Brien Posey discusses how backup and archive can be accomplished using a single software platform today and common misconceptions about this approach.  Continue Reading

• Choosing the right data snapshot approach

  Independent backup expert Brien Posey compares the various methods for creating a data snapshot in this Expert Answer.  Continue Reading

• How image-level backup differs from traditional backup

  Marc Staimer looks at the differences between image-level backup and traditional backup in this Expert Response.  Continue Reading

• Crash-consistent vs. application-consistent backups of virtual machines

  Marc Staimer of Dragon Slayer Consulting compares crash-consistent and application-consistent backups of virtual machines in this Expert Answer.  Continue Reading

• IPhone vs. Android backup

  Eric Slack of Storage Switzerland compares iPhone and Android backup in this Expert Answer.  Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of integrated backup appliances

  Find out whether integrated backup appliances with backup software, server and storage offer any benefits beyond ease of installation.  Continue Reading

• Disk can help with backup tape rotation strategy

  Backup expert George Crump explains how to use disk to get the most out of your backup tape rotation strategy.  Continue Reading

• How cloud archiving services compare

  Backup expert George Crump discusses the issues involved in picking a cloud archiving service for your organization.  Continue Reading

• As a backup target, when is VTL better than NAS?

  Eric Slack of Storage Switzerland says that, as a backup target, a VTL might be a better choice than NAS.  Continue Reading

• Should you back up Google Drive contents?

  George Crump of Storage Switzerland discusses whether it is necessary to back up Google Drive contents in this Expert Answer.  Continue Reading

• Should you back up Dropbox contents?

  George Crump of Storage Switzerland discusses whether it is necessary to back up Dropbox contents in this Expert Response.  Continue Reading

• Solving SQL VSS writer problems during backup

  Backup expert Brien Posey explains how to solve common SQL VSS writer problems users can face during SQL database backups.  Continue Reading

• Resolving error code 1296 during Exchange backups

  Brien Posey explains how to resolve a common error code when using VSS-based backup software for Exchange backups.  Continue Reading

• Copy-on-write snapshots vs. differencing disk snapshots

  Independent backup expert Brien Posey compares copy-on-write snapshots and differencing disk snapshots in this Expert Response.  Continue Reading

• Backing up Active Directory? Here's what you should know

  In this Expert Response about backing up your Active Directory, Brien Posey says you typically don't need to back up every domain controller.  Continue Reading

• Hypervisor-based replication vs. traditional replication

  Learn more about hypervisor-based replication and how it compares with other software-based replication in this Expert Response from Brien Posey.  Continue Reading

• What types of data yield a high deduplication ratio?

  Rachel Dines, an analyst with Forrester Research, outlines the types of data that yield high deduplication ratios in this Expert Response.  Continue Reading

• Backup and archive: Is archiving software necessary?

  Brien Posey discusses backup and archive software, as well as e-discovery in this Expert Answer.  Continue Reading

• The benefits and drawbacks of CDP solutions

  CDP solutions can eliminate your backup window. However, there are many issues to consider, including application and operating system compatibility.  Continue Reading

• Are storage snapshots an alternative to backup?

  Are storage snapshots an alternative to traditional backup? Find out in this Expert Answer from Brien Posey.  Continue Reading

• Choosing archive management software

  David Hill discusses considerations for choosing archive management software in this Expert Answer.  Continue Reading

• Why tape works for active archiving

  David Hill, analyst with the Mesabi Group, discusses tape’s role in active archiving.  Continue Reading

• Agent-based vs. hypervisor-level backups of virtualized servers

  Find out why so many organizations continue to make agent-based backups of virtualized servers in this Expert Response from Brien Posey.  Continue Reading

• Are LTO-4 tapes compatible with other versions of LTO tape technology?

  Dave Ellis explains what LTO-4 is and its compatibility with other versions of LTO in this expert response.  Continue Reading

• The benefits of a third-party data backup reporting/monitoring tool

  Curtis Breville explains the benefits of a third-party data backup reporting/monitoring tool in this Ask the Expert question.  Continue Reading

• Tape backup failures

  Russ Fellows, senior analyst at the Evaluator Group, answers a SearchDataBackup reader's questions about the most common causes of tape data backup failures.  Continue Reading

• The relationship between RTOs and RPOs

  Data backup expert Pierre Dorion discusses the differences between RTOs and RPOs.  Continue Reading