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but also increases the time for restore

operations. Using disks helps eliminate the

need for multiplexing because disks are

inherently random-access devices,

designed to write multiple backup jobs

simultaneously to individual backup files

(one file per job)—helping provide both

exceptional performance and storage

granularity that even tape solutions with

sophisticated multiplexing and multi-

threading cannot provide.

For some types of data protection,

disks are also typically more reliable than

tape drives and tape libraries, which can

cause delays or failures in backup and

restore operations. Using disks as a high-

frequency, short-term data protection

medium—and tape as an archival medium—

can help minimize these problems.

The speed and random-access capa-

bilities of disk media can also provide the

foundation for continuous data protec-

tion, helping protect data in real time as

changes to data occur. Continuous data

protection not only enhances the overall

level of protection, but also helps reduce

the administration and complexity associ-

ated with traditional data protection prac-

tices. For example, it can help eliminate

the need for full, incremental, or differen-

tial backups currently in place, helping

protect data immediately and continu-

ously by backing it up to disk.

Despite these advantages, however,

successful deployment of disks as part of

a data protection solution does present

several challenges for IT administrators,

including the following:

Lack of familiarity:



Backup administra-

tors may be unfamiliar with configuring

and managing disks, and must rely on

server administrators to help select the

appropriate disk technology and con-

figure, set up, and diagnose problems.

Complex management:



Administrators

typically manage tape devices through

a backup application. Adding disk hard-

ware to this environment may require

introducing a separate application,

increasing management complexity.

Disparate solutions:



Organizations

typically purchase server hardware,

backup hardware, and backup soft-

ware from separate vendors. When a

problem arises, it may be unclear which

product is causing the problem, or

which vendor backup administrators

should contact to help resolve it.

Proprietary solutions:



In the past, virtual

tape libraries have been deployed to

take advantage of disk capabilities by

emulating tape devices. However, these

devices may present a shortcoming—

they must act like tape, which prevents

backup applications from taking advan-

tage of disk capabilities.

INTEGRATED DATA PROTECTION

To help organizations deploy simplified,

cost-effective disk-based backup, Dell and

Symantec have partnered to develop the

Dell PowerVault DL2000 – Powered by

Symantec Backup Exec. This appliance,

based on the Dell PowerEdge

™

2950

server, the Dell PowerVault MD1000 disk

expansion enclosure, the Microsoft®

Windows Server® 2008 OS, and Symantec

Backup Exec 12.5 for Windows Servers,

can provide a variety of key benefits:

Integrated solution:



The appliance pro-

vides an integrated disk backup solu-

tion that also supports backing up to

tape. Dell and Symantec have created

and tested the components as part of

a solution designed to be ready for

deployment right out of the box.

Simplified setup:



The appliance comes

factory installed with Symantec Backup

Exec as well as automated wizards that

guide administrators through the pro-

cess of configuring the system name,

and other items—helping them quickly

get the system up and running.

Simplified disk management:



Integrated

hardware and software management

capabilities provide a simplified way to

manage disk resources alongside

backup and restore operations. Backup

Exec can automatically discover, provi-

sion, manage, and enable disk resources

as targets for backup and restore oper-

ations (see Figure 1).

Central management console:



A single

management console serves as the

launch point for appliance operations.

The console is designed for simplicity,

centralizing key tasks such as backup

and restore functionality, configuration

utilities, and management in a single

location rather than burying them in

Figure 1. Symantec Backup Exec can automatically recognize new storage devices and help simplify setup