If you are responsible for meeting strict Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs) for your business, snapshots are the technology you need. Snapshots are appealing because you can make quick, point-in-time copies of your data, with little-to-no impact on production storage. This allows you to take multiple snapshots throughout the day.
One of the key players in snapshot technology is NetApp, which gives storage snapshots added functionality through its SnapMirror and SnapVault. When you add Veeam into the mix, you gain a comprehensive Availability strategy that meets, not only RPOs, but also Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs). Data Availability today is more critical than ever before and being able to leverage storage snapshots is a real game-changer when it comes to meeting the demands of your business. Veeam and NetApp integration provides you with the ability to create faster backups, quicker restores and improved protection. Veeam integrates with NetApp FAS and AFF, FlexArray (V-Series), Data ONTAP Select and IBM N Series (NetApp FAS OEM).
Faster backups
The Veeam and NetApp combination gives you useful tools such as Backup from Storage Snapshots, Veeam Explorer for Storage Snapshots and On-demand Sandbox for Storage Snapshots. Backup from Storage Snapshots lets you use a snapshot — which can be taken every 15 minutes — to create a backup without affecting production. What takes this functionality even further is the added benefit of SnapMirror and SnapVault, from which you can also use to take backups.
I know I mentioned SnapMirror and SnapVault before, but to be clear, SnapMirror is a NetApp technology that allows users to create a mirror of a snapshot on a different NetApp storage array. This could almost be termed as replicating a snapshot to a different array. SnapVault allows you to create a read-only copy of your data. Both technologies can help deliver the #1 Data Availability guideline users follow today: the 3-2-1 Rule.
I hope by now that everyone knows about the 3-2-1 Rule. If you don’t (shame!), the definition is as follows:
- 3 copies of data, on
- 2 different media
- 1 of which is off site
By combining NetApp and Veeam technologies, you can easily achieve the 3-2-1 Rule with Veeam Backup from Storage Snapshots.
Quick recovery
It’s true that a backup is only as good as its recovery. In other words, the worst thing that can happen is when you go to restore and find you are unable to utilize your backup due to an unforeseen circumstance. This situation could easily ruin your day or even your career!
Veeam delivers Veeam Explorer for Storage Snapshots, utilizing snapshots to perform quick restores so you can meet RTO requirements easily. Veeam Explorer for Storage Snapshots also has the functionality to utilize SnapMirror and SnapVault as a source for restores.
Veeam Explorer for Storage Snapshots provides Instant VM Recovery, VM Guest file restores and the ability to restore from Microsoft applications like SharePoint, Active Directory or Exchange. The technology can also perform restores for SQL databases and Oracle. What makes this offering even more perfect is that you can utilize the Explorer for FREE!
One step further with Veeam DataLabs
Veeam now wants to give you a way to maximize your storage investments to the fullest. This leads us to the next capability, Veeam DataLabs for Storage Snapshots, which allows you to utilize a storage snapshot to create a lab environment, so you can troubleshoot problems, test software patches and install new software. This lab is fully fenced off from the production environment, so it allows you to do your testing for processes before implementing into your production environment. This Veeam feature requires NetApp FlexClone and is an added value to your NetApp investment.
To conclude
Veeam combined with NetApp Storage solutions can give you a Data Availability strategy that will help you meet the increasing demands of your business today. Backup from Storage Snapshots gives you fast backups. Veeam Explorer for Storage Snapshots provides quick restores. The ability to create a virtual lab through a storage snapshot takes your business to the next level when it comes to leveraging storage investments. Don’t forget that Veeam Explorer for Storage Snapshots is FREE, giving you world-class restore capabilities from a storage snapshot with no additional cost!
