Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

• 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 are the most common issues with Office 365 backup?

  Backup offerings through Office 365 are becoming popular among cloud backup providers but they have some shortcomings compared to on-premise options.  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

• 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

• How does agentless backup of virtual servers work?

  How does agentless backup of virtual servers work? How does the system understand what needs to be backed up?  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

• What should you look for in a cloud backup service-level agreement?

  What fine-print details should I watch for in a cloud backup service-level agreement?  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 should you choose a cloud backup service provider?

  What are the top five things to consider when choosing a cloud backup service provider for your organization?  Continue Reading

• How do primary storage clouds and cloud for backup differ?

  The difference between cloud backup and cloud storage comes down to application and access rather than architecture, says analyst Greg Schulz.  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

• Is backup modernization the end of legacy backup?

  Independent backup expert Brien Posey discusses whether backup modernization is vendor hype and whether it means the end of legacy backup.  Continue Reading

• More backup application vendors support object storage

  Independent backup expert Brien Posey discusses whether backup application vendors are adding support for object storage today and why.  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

• 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

• Mobile device backup challenges today

  W. Curtis Preston, independent backup expert and founder of TruthInIT, offers advice on backing up laptops and mobile devices.  Continue Reading

• Drawbacks of integrated backup appliances

  Independent backup expert Brien Posey offers insight on some drawbacks of integrated backup appliances 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

• Examining today's available disk backup solutions

  Brien Posey discusses the variety of disk backup solutions available today in this Expert Answer.  Continue Reading

• Common mistakes in backing up Active Directory

  Microsoft expert Brien Posey looks at the widespread mistakes many users make when backing up Active Directory in this Expert Response.  Continue Reading

• Understanding and resolving Windows Server 2008 backup error codes

  Brien Posey looks at a particular error message within Windows Server 2008 backup and shares a way to resolve it in this Expert Response.  Continue Reading

• VMware Data Protection vs. third-party backup applications

  Colm Keegan of Storage Switzerland compares VMware Data Protection with third-party backup applications in this Expert Response.  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

• 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

• The state of mobile device and laptop backups

  Backup expert Brien Posey discusses the state of enterprise backups for mobile devices and laptop computers in this Expert Answer.  Continue Reading

• Finding an enterprise backup solution for different mobile platforms

  Backup expert Brien Posey discusses the issues with finding an enterprise backup product that is compatible with different mobile platforms.  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

• Comparing email archiving software with general archiving software

  Brien Posey compares email archiving software with general-purpose archiving software in this Expert Response.  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

• CDP’s (continuous data protection) advantages in virtual server backup

  Find out the advantages CDP (continuous data protection) offers in backing up virtual servers in this Expert Response from Brien Posey.  Continue Reading

• Magnetic tape’s changing storage role

  David Hill, analyst with the Mesabi Group, discusses the changing role of magnetic tape in this Expert Answer.  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 there any signs that a backup tape cartridge is about to fail?

  Sometimes tape failure can be hard to predict, but certain monitoring tools can help detect problematic tapes.  Continue Reading

• How do I get started with a formal data backup procedure for my company?

  Dave Ellis discusses how to get started with a backup procedure in your company in this expert response.  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

• What open-source data deduplication software options are available?

  W. Curtis Preston explains two open-source data deduplication software options currently available -- BackupPC and Oracle's Solaris ZFS, in this ask the expert response.  Continue Reading

• What are the differences between file-level vs. block-level deduplication?

  Dave Ellis, Principal Technologist at Instrumental Inc., discusses the differences between file-level and block-level data deduplication in this ask the expert response.  Continue Reading

• Tape library storage

  Greg Schulz discusses how many tape libraries you should have if you have 3 PB of data in your organization.  Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of block/variable block deduplication

  Learn how block/variable block deduplication is used, and what the pros and cons of this type of deduplication are for SMBs.  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

• Data Guard based replication vs. SAN (EVA5000 & CA) based replication

  Business continuance expert Pierre Dorion answers a reader's question: What are the pros and cons of Data Guard based replication vs. SAN ...  Continue Reading

• Reusing backup tapes: Best practices

  Backup expert Curtis Preston offers advice on reusing tape.  Continue Reading

• Email retention policy: A step-by-step approach

  Email retention and archiving expert Bill Tolson offers his advice on how to create an email retention policy.  Continue Reading

• Commvault tapes stop writing before full

  Backup expert Pierre Dorion offers troubleshooting advice for a SearchStorage reader who asked: Why do our CommVault tapes stop writing before they are full? When I check the tapes, there is plenty of valid data space and the tapes are not marked ...  Continue Reading