I've been looking at backup options for sometime that would be a good fit for Microsoft based SMB that is about to virtualize most of it's infrastructure (still on the fence about our ERP SQL database) and likely introduce and entry level iSCSI (still on fence about DAS vs SAN for an SMB). The remaining applications would be Exchange, Sharepoint, File Servers, AD servers etc. Currently we have about 1.5TB of non-deduped data backed up weekly as part of 2 full jobs to which take 14hrs and 18hrs each to LTO3. Change is about 100GB/wk. However, we've been squeezing users mailbox and file storage (especially graphics) for sometime so I expect this to mushroom easily to 3TB once upgrades are in place. Growth should be at 20- 25% per year after that.
We've been using BE 11d, and it has worked well but after some time reading, I'm convinced Unitrends or Commvault are our best options. Ultimately, I'm looking to initially do D2D (dedupe)-> D2T (leverage existing auto-loader) and in the following year (budget willing) D2D onsite -> D2D offsite. -> Archive to D or maybe T. I tried to inform myself as much as possible, but still need some input from the community to understand my options.
The prices of both CV Simpana 9 SMB (2TB backup license) + Hardware and UT 713 (6TB storage) is pretty much a wash.
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Both offer pretty much an unlimited licensing option (Commvault SMB by 2TB blocks). Unitrends does require a separate license for Exchange item level protection as they use a 3rd party add-on.
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UT locks you into specific hardware which is good for support but not so good for adding storage.
CV lets you roll your own backup server as long as it meets specs and professional services gets a little time on it to verify configuration. Think SAM-SD here :)
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UT- adding storage means buying an entire compatible appliance (chain) support or upgrading to a new larger appliance with a discount.
CV - just add more storage to your own server, but I probably won't need it even if I max out a SAM-SD even in RAID 10
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UT- Adding replication/vaulting requires a purchase of a second device, doubling your annual support contract.
CV- I believe I was told that you can add any number of server agents (media servers) and enable replication to them for free. So you only need to purchase hardware on your own.
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not 100% clear about below..and whether it's pertinent to performance in my environment.
UT - No true hardware based snapshopts. Agentless available through VMWare. No LUN backup of a SAN.
CV - Has tight integration with SAN vendors like NetApp which allow hardware based snapshots at zero cost to host and LUN based backups through NDMP.
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UT - Adding a SCSI interface for D2T is just as expensive as their D2D -. D2D(Archive) option.
CV - Direct D2T supported. Leverage existing SCSCI hardware to connect tape drive.
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For a tapeless, D2D -> D2D (Archive) option, I'm not sure how I feel about rotating and travelling with hard drives offsite. Just can help but feel "fragile". And you do need to buy extra drives if you are interested in take the last nights backup offsite the next day.
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UT - has instant emergency recovery from physcial or virtual by allowing you to mount a backup on the DPU.
CV - doesn't have this feature, but there's probably a creative path to get to this point on the SAM-SD if thought out.
Thanks in advance!