IDC defines(1) a purpose-built backup appliance as a disk-based solution that utilizes software, disk arrays, server engine(s), or nodes that are used for a target for backup data and specifically data coming from a backup application (e.g., NetBackup, Backup Exec, Networker etc.). These products are stand-alone disk systems purpose built to serve as a target for backup.
Symantec’s NetBackup 5200 series appliances, while purpose built for backups, are much more than a traditional PBBA. For example, the all new NetBackup 5220 appliance can be deployed as a NetBackup master server, media server or both. This modular appliance can be used for implementing a brand new NetBackup domain for a remote office or enterprise without needing additional software based backup application to manage data protection for clients. NetBackup 5220 is not just a purpose built backup target, it is a complete backup solution by itself.
NetBackup 5220 is the newest member in NetBackup appliances family. The system features v 2.0 of appliance software which is based on NetBackup 7.1.0.1 code. The appliance starts at 4TB of deduplication storage which is ideal for remote office/branch office use cases. As mentioned earlier, the appliance can function as an independent all-in-one NetBackup system or it can be configured as a media server reporting to a central data center. The Auto Image Replication (A.I.R) feature makes it possible for these appliances to replicate to remote NetBackup domains for Disaster Recovery readiness. There is no need to have a backup server and a duplication appliance as in the case of using a traditional PBBA. Moreover, the 4TB model may also be used as the driver for NetBackup 5000 series based global deduplication appliances thereby providing 192TB of deduplication pool. The storage on NetBackup 5220 can be expanded up to 36 TB by adding a Symantec Storage Shelf.
Another key feature for NetBackup 5220 is the support for SAN Client. We will talk about this in a separate blog.
Thanks to Symantec V-Ray, NetBackup 5220 appliances provide unprecedented visibility into virtual machines, giving you faster recovery and reduced storage costs in virtual environments. Whether you have Hyper-V or VMware (or even both), the appliance understands the data stream with embedded stream handlers whereby it can identify the file boundaries and strip out the meta data before deduplicating the segments. This level of content intelligence makes it possible to deduplicate across virtual, physical, application and NAS systems without brute force resource intensive processing. VMware Intelligent Policy makes it possible to set data protection in auto pilot mode, no need to manually add/remove virtual machines into backup policies. Highly customized rules can be engaged to ensure visibility while automating protection.
Do you know that NetBackup 5220 is designed to kill the VTL? We will talk about it next week!
1 Worldwide Purpose-Built Backup Appliance 2011–2015 Forecast and 2010 Vendor Shares, Robert Amatruda, IDC Research Director, Data Protection and Recovery, May 2011
