Backup Exec 2014 software or backup exec applicance ?

[suren424]

Hi,

I am looking for a Backup solution for our environment. It has 2 hosts running Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2012 R2 on 10.0.99.x network with 10 VM's each.VM's have applications like

1) Active Directory

2) Sharepoint 3)SAP

VM's run on 10.0.99.x and 10.0.90.x.

We also need to take backup of one physical file server which is running windows server 2008 R2. 

Question : Would we be able to install windows agent on Windows 2012 R2 Core edition, so that  we can install on the hyper-v host and take backup of the .VHDX files which are stored on the host machines ?

which one best suits us .. Backup Exec 2014 software or backup exec applicance ?

Please suggest.

Thanks in advance

[pkh]

To backup Server 2012 R2, you will need BE 2014 or the BE 3600 R3 Appliance when it is released. You will be able to install the BE remote agent onto a Core OS edition, but you cannot install the core BE onto a Core OS edition.

Apart from SAP, the rest of the applications are supported but you would have to get one Agent for Applications and Databases license for each application in each machine. If you get the V-Ray edition or the Appliance then you get an unlimited number of the Agent for Applications and Databases licenses.

*EDIT*

In case you are thinking of backing up the underlying SAP databases, in the absence of a SAP agent, read my blog below

https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/blogs/can-i-backup-sap-database-sql-or-oracle-agent

*END EDIT*

There is no straight answer add to which is better, the BE software or the Appliance. They are the same in terms of functionality. You got to look at your requirements and the cost of implementing each solution.

[CraigV]

..just bear in mind that the appliance only contains enough disk space for 5.5TB of deduped data. If you expect to exceed this, then the appliance isn't for you. It is also seriously locked down, so you are able to do only the basics.

However, the versions of BE installed are exactly the same, so functionality of the software is identical.

Also, the appliance doesn't scale (like the NBU appliance or other vendor backup targets), so you have a fixed -size disk target. It does allow tape-out, but only to a SAS-attached drive/library...no fibre-channel for instance.

Thanks!

[Nene]

hi pkh,

thank you for the information about backing up SAP in the blog.

It is very helpful.