Combining the Manageability and Efficiency of CommVault Simpana Software With the Speed of Native Snapshots

Transcription

1 Combining the Manageability and Efficiency of CommVault Simpana Software With the Speed of Native Snapshots Leverage Snapshot Integration to Protect Data, Meet SLAs, and Improve RPOs and RTOs

2 Contents Executive Summary 3 Exponential Data Growth Requires New Approaches 3 CommVault Simpana SnapProtect 4 Seamless Snapshot Use With Traditional Backup Methods 6 Minimizing Administrative Overhead, Accelerating Recovery 7 CommVault Global Data Deduplication With Simpana Software 8 Unified Recovery Management 10 Simpana Software A Better Data Management Solution 10 Conclusion Rapid, Cost-Efficient Backup and Recovery 11 About CommVault 11

3 Executive Summary The amount of data under management continues to accelerate every year. Growth matched by increased uptime requirements for business-critical applications has forced IT organizations to seek modern methods to achieve seemingly unobtainable service level agreements (SLAs) for data availability and recovery. Higher SLAs drive the need for more recovery points with fast disk-based recovery techniques to mitigate data loss and reduce downtime. To that end, users are turning to storage-array-based snapshot technologies, which combine creating frequent recovery points for rapid access and recovery with minimal production disruption. However, snapshot technology and management can vary by storage platform and often requires extensive scripting, monitoring and maintenance for individual applications. This can result in more complexity if an organization has snapshot-capable storage arrays from several vendors that need to integrate into the protection methodologies. The resulting backup copies are often difficult to track, manage and move to secondary tiers for long-term retention or disaster recovery. CommVault has introduced an innovative software solution that takes advantage of various snapshot technologies to address the problem of exponential data growth impacting backup and recovery requirements. CommVault Simpana SnapProtect integrates with native storage array snapshot technology to provide consistent point-in-time recovery copies for large data sets, including enterprise applications. It enables you to make and keep more online and offline copies of these datasets, which offers better data protection, facilitates rapid recovery and minimizes disruption to production systems. Exponential Data Growth Requires New Approaches Data growth challenges nearly all organizations. On one side, there s a struggle to keep pace with the capacity of data to protect, while controlling the costs of storage, and on the other, there s the data itself. Larger datasets take longer to back up, and traditional backup methods that require a critical application to be offline for an extended period are unacceptable. Aggressive SLAs and recovery objectives require more frequent data copies for recovery purposes as a streaming file or database restore will simply not keep pace with critical business needs. For a growing number of organizations, relational databases, stores and file systems have grown beyond the ability of traditional data protection technologies to adequately provide high-performance recovery of vital data and information assets. And, any event requiring recovery from traditional methods can easily translate to a 12 to 24 hour gap from your most recent recovery point depending, of course, on your backup strategy with your data unavailable for hours or more. New technical approaches are thus needed to deliver mandated levels of recovery performance and reliability without adding significant administrative overhead. 3

4 The Promise of Snapshot Technology One approach many organizations have adopted is using native, array-based snapshot capabilities from vendors such as Dell EqualLogic, EMC and NetApp to meet the need for backup speed. A key advantage of snapshots is that they enable organizations to make much more frequent backups of their data. That very ability creates its own set of challenges, however, as snapshot scripting and management can quickly become complex. Exponential increases in the number of snapshots/backups make it difficult to manage and enforce consistent backup policies or quickly locate specific backup data copies from among various storage tiers. For example, consider having to search for a single file from among a series of 24 snapshots that have occurred over the past couple days, and you may quickly find yourself in a quest for the proverbial needle in the haystack. Furthermore, snapshots are typically tied to the production storage array; any failure of the storage array itself can lead to complete data loss. Creating a second copy of the data from snapshots is also problematic, as the links between the second copy and the production system are often broken, losing application awareness. As a result, recovery from the second copy requires a manual, complex process before the data is available to the production system for recovery. Ideally, smart use of native snapshot capabilities should ensure the creation of more recovery points for fast recovery without adding complexity or management points that may complicate application data recovery. CommVault Simpana SnapProtect To meet the need for a backup solution that enhances the promise of snapshot technology, CommVault has introduced Simpana SnapProtect, an integral part of our Simpana software. SnapProtect dramatically improves your ability to meet SLA commitments, without sacrificing the ability to meet your application-specific recovery point objectives (RPO) and recovery time objectives (RTO) requirements. SnapProtect features make it much more feasible to increase the number of recovery points kept in all of your storage tiers. This helps ensure that you re not only able to greatly increase your disk-based retention periods, but also decrease data restore and recovery times across all storage tiers. SnapProtect is designed to work with native storage array snapshot capabilities for even the largest of databases and applications, such as Microsoft Exchange Server, SQL Server and Oracle. It combines the speed of snapshot backups with the speed of application-aware snapshot recovery from any storage tier, across multiple vendors and data management architectures, all administered from a single management console. It leverages the native snapshot engine built into the storage array to create and manage application-consistent, validated, point-intime recovery copies for rapid recovery. 4

5 Our unified software approach allows use of a single management console to create and manage snapshot-based recovery copies on a wide variety of storage arrays without any customization or scripting. This uniform and seamless approach extends to the creation of multiple tiers of recovery copies on different disk targets, or even tape. Data in all storage tiers is application-consistent and can be recovered directly and quickly to the production system from any storage tier with minimal administrator intervention. SnapProtect catalogs each snapshot online protection copies mounted to the production server or recovery copies on secondary storage transforming them into point-in-time views that are easily searched, browsed and restored. Applications Databases File Systems Servers ida ida ida ida SINGLE STEP RECOVERY MA MA MA Database Volume Log Volume -6 hrs ONLINE RECOVERY OPTION API Production Storage Systems -12 hrs -18 hrs Multi recovery points MA NEARLINE PROTECTION COPY -24 hrs -48 hrs Dedup volume -2 hrs -3 hrs -4 hrs LONG TERM ARCHIVE COPY -24 hrs Normal/Dedup Sets, encrypt, selective Figure 1: Overview of the Migration and Recovery Process. SnapProtect allows you to create secondary data protection snapshots, migrate them to lower-cost storage tiers including tape, perform auxcopy for validation, and most importantly, obtain multiple recovery options/points from multiple tiers. 5

6 Seamless Snapshot Use With Traditional Backup Methods SnapProtect lets you meet your RPOs with more frequent recovery points and delivers faster and more granular application recovery performance than traditional data protection approaches. Its integration with the CommVault data protection solution combines seamless snapshot use with traditional backup methods. By leveraging array-based snapshots and leading data management and deduplication technologies, CommVault software offers faster full-file or application recovery than traditional backup solutions, minimizes the backup impact on production systems and simplifies the task of managing to recovery SLAs. CommVault Simpana Software with SnapProtect includes: Integration with popular storage array-based snapshot technologies to create application-consistent recovery copies with minimal impact on the production system. Use of snapshot-based recovery copy to create multiple tiers of recovery copies with different retention settings, based on SLA and business requirements. Every recovery copy is recovery-ready. Integration with Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) on Microsoft Windows Server platforms to manage protection of Microsoft Exchange Server and SQL Server, as part of a seamless snapshot-based process. Support for file systems along with leading operating systems, including Windows, UNIX and Linux. Support for leading database applications, including large Microsoft Exchange, SQL Server, Oracle systems and SAP on Oracle. Key SnapProtect Capabilities Centralized, Unified Management Control Works in tandem with popular storage array-embedded snapshot technologies to unify management and recovery operations across systems, applications and sites. Eliminates Scripting Utilizes Simpana software s automated policy-based approach to eliminate manual scripting for creating, migrating and aging of application-aware snapshots across storage tiers. Heterogeneous Flexibility Enables migration of snapshots across storage tiers and platforms, and allows for direct heterogeneous restores to any system. Application Awareness Supports application-aware integration across storage tiers to ensure coherent data handling for leading messaging, database and application systems. 6

7 With CommVault SnapProtect you can: Protect growing mission-critical data stores with minimal impact on production systems, allowing for the creation of more recovery points for reduced RPO/RTO. Meet recovery SLAs, as well as create multiple recovery tiers, including near-line recovery copies and long-term archive copies. Quickly restore entire file systems and databases within moments of failure, without administrator intervention. Utilize smart, storage array-based snapshot technology for easy recovery copy creation. Use offline data mining tools for granular recovery of files and database objects from backups. Leverage embedded deduplication to improve backup storage utilization and store more recovery copies on disk for longer periods. Minimizing Administrative Overhead, Accelerating Recovery SnapProtect leverages native, storage array-based snapshots using the next-genera-tion data management capabilities in its Simpana software. Unlike traditional streaming backup methods, SnapProtect quickly acquiesces the application or file system, triggers the storage array-based snapshot and returns the system to a fully operational state within minutes. Snapshots can be mounted on a proxy server and validated as part of a secondary process to ensure the snapshot is a valid, application-consistent recovery copy and readily available for recovery. Organizations can replace selective and infrequent backups with the creation of multiple recovery points throughout the day, helping reduce both RPO and RTO. This enables you to minimize the backup impact on production systems, while realizing faster full-file and application recovery. Depending on your configuration, automatic rules for maintenance tasks (for example, proxy validation, log management or snapshot aging) and a single embedded policy further simplify management. Administrators can select from full application recovery or individual, granular file recovery as their needs dictate, without the need for manual steps to make the data available to the application, database or file system. Selective snapshots can be migrated using a secondary copy process and a proxy server to create an independent recovery copy. This ensures that data is recoverable directly to the production system or application even if the storage array itself is not available. Furthermore, you can create multiple copies of data across different storage tiers. Each is recovery-ready, which means data can be restored directly from any recovery copy to the production system. 7

8 CommVault Global Data Deduplication With Simpana Software CommVault extends the power of Simpana software with hardware-independent, content-aware deduplication. CommVault deduplication software eliminates all duplicate copies of backup and archive data managed within the guidelines of the Global Storage Policy, regardless of source, data type or platform. A combination of content-aware and segment-based deduplication, along with the scalable Deduplication Database delivers better results compared to other block-based approaches. Using the Deduplication Database, the digital signature is compared of each segment against all the other segments of data in the global storage policy, maximizing deduplication across 100% of your backup and archive data. Combining client-based generation of hash signatures with integrated data compression and data encryption capabilities minimizes network bandwidth requirements and maximizes end-to-end network speed and security that goes all the way from clients to disk and tape-based storage tiers. With Simpana software, you can expand the use of data deduplication across all tiers of storage, including tape, without the need to rehydrate the data back into full form. Using our automated, policy-based approach, you can implement a hands-free approach to migrate and manage aging data quickly and efficiently. The migration is invisible to end-users, and ensures that the deduplicated data is brought back seamlessly directly from any storage tier. CommVault deduplication software also combines the Shared Index/Catalog with the unique Silo Storage to track and retrieve just the data required, without the need for lengthy restores and searching through entire volumes of data. Deduplication with Simpana software is especially helpful for: End-to-end elimination of duplicate data across multiple backup cycles, and across backup and archive data stores Greater deduplication ratios. Direct data restores from any storage tier and the ability to create and retain dramatically more recovery points Faster recovery of data covering longer retention periods. Automated policy-based migration/management of long-term data on tape-based backup media Better manageability with optimized storage/tiering of data. CommVault Simpana software integrates deduplication with our broader platform capabilities around Backup and Recovery, Archiving, Replication, SRM and Search to deliver a holistic embedded deduplication approach that maximizes efficiency and minimizes barriers to implementation throughout the enterprise. 8

9 Figure 2: Embedded Global Data Deduplication Maximizing Deduplication without Sacrificing Performance 1. Content-aware segment-based deduplication across all data within a global Storage Policy that spans all associated clients, applications, agents, jobs, etc. 2. Integration with compression and encryption increases speed and security when writing unique data to disk. 3. Retains dedupe to tape, and eliminates traditional VTL/appliance re-assembly tax, for direct and selective retrieval of data from any tier (including archived data on tape). 9

10 Unified Recovery Management Simpana SnapProtect delivers on the CommVault vision for Unified Recovery Management, delivering data availability through an integrated, singular approach to data management. It wraps snapshot backups with more efficient secondary tiered storage into a simplified recovery view that aligns to specific service levels. Our approach uses consolidated policies and automation that makes management simple and easy, and offers point-in-time recovery that is transparent to the complexities of where the recovery data source is located. Simpana Software A Better Data Management Solution CommVault Simpana software is a single, efficient, scalable platform that supports a complete range of data management functions. Offering an expandable range of application modules, Simpana software provides multiple backup and recovery options; a flexible IT infrastructure for data protection across physical and virtual servers; and fast, cost-effective disaster recovery to ensure business continuity. CommVault Simpana software includes data archiving, backup and recovery, data resource management and replication and snapshot management. When used in combination, these capabilities help provide unique and compelling benefits for managing data all from a single management console. Simpana Software Platform Benefits Simpana software provides a single console from which to easily manage all aspects of data protection, archive management, recovery management and replication of physical and virtual servers. Benefits of Simpana software include: Simplifies and expands data protection recovery options Facilitates implementation of tiered storage Increases application and data availability Enables cost-effective, consolidated backup of virtual servers Improves backup efficiency and reliability Enables hot backups of virtual machines Shares storage for backup and archiving across physical and virtual servers Provides one interface to learn for data management 10

11 A CommVault Business-Value White Paper backup & recovery C O M archive M O srm replication N P L A T F search O R M Figure 3: CommVault Simpana Software s Singular Information Management Architecture. Conclusion Rapid, Cost-Efficient Backup and Recovery CommVault Simpana SnapProtect seamlessly automates snapshot creation and management as part of an efficient backup and restore process, helping minimize administration requirements. With the downtime of business-critical applications kept to a minimum throughout the day, organizations realize increased productivity while reaping the benefits of rapid backup and recovery. Less time is required to oversee backups and leverage use of existing storage systems. This helps reduce the need for additional infrastructure or added headcount shrinking the cost impact on your IT budget. About CommVault A singular vision a belief in a better way to address current and future data and information management needs guides CommVault in the development of Singular Information Management solutions for highperformance data protection, universal availability and simplified management of data on complex storage networks. The CommVault exclusive single-platform architecture gives companies unprecedented control over data growth, costs and risk. CommVault Simpana software modules were designed to work together seamlessly from the ground up, sharing a single code and common function set, to deliver superlative Backup & Recovery, Archive, Replication, Search and Resource Management capabilities. More companies every day join those who have discovered the unparalleled efficiency, performance, reliability and control only CommVault can offer. Information about CommVault is available at CommVault s corporate headquarters is located in Oceanport, New Jersey in the United States. For More Information on CommVault SnapProtect solutions: info@commvault.com CommVault Worldwide Headquarters 2 Crescent Place Oceanport, NJ Fax: CommVault Regional Offices: United States Europe Middle East & Africa Asia-Pacific Latin America & Caribbean Canada India Oceania CommVault Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. CommVault, CommVault and logo, the CV logo, CommVault Systems, Solving Forward, SIM, Singular Information Management, Simpana, CommVault Galaxy, Unified Data Management, QiNetix, Quick Recovery, QR, CommNet, GridStor, Vault Tracker, InnerVault, QuickSnap, QSnap, SnapProtect, Recovery Director, CommServe, CommCell, ROMS, CommValue, and Farline are trademarks or registered trademarks of CommVault Systems, Inc. All other third party brands, products, service names, trademarks, or registered service marks are the property of and used to identify the products or services of their respective owners. All specifications are subject to change without notice. 11