NetWorker Module - SnapImage

Two Unique Solutions; One Powerful Module

The NetWorker SnapImage Module enables an enterprise with a limited backup window to fully protect active file systems containing many small files. Managed by NetWorker, SnapImage delivers high performance, low impact data protection through live, block-level backup. SnapImage is also a standards-based NDMP agent that enables remote backup of NDMP-compliant NAS file servers natively vs. NFS in heterogeneous environments. SnapImage provides superior leverage, scalability, and manageability of your storage resources.


The Two Solution Overview

Solution One
Faster Backup of Small Files with Less Application Impact

Protecting file systems made up of many small files (from thousands to millions) severely taxes server resources when using file-by-file backup methods, impacting application performance and the ability to complete backup operations within a limited "window." SnapImage reduces the strain on server performance through block-level image backup. Initiated by NetWorker, SnapImage takes a filesystem snapshot, builds a block list, and then backs up the data through the server as virtually one large file. This requires significantly less processing overhead, resulting in higher tape speeds, less application impact and faster backups!

With SnapImage, data is backed up live (applications remain online with no user lockout!) and with optimum efficiency. During full backups, only populated blocks are copied to tape, not the entire image. Termed "sparse," SnapImage skips over null, unused blocks. By reducing backup volume sizes, backups are complete faster and with less tape consumption. As an example and assuming identical tape drive speeds, a 60% populated file system can be backed up in approximately 40% less time with SnapImage when compared to other image backup products.

During incrementals, only changed blocks are backed up, not the entire file(s). Lengthy delays traversing a file system to identify changes are also avoided. SnapImage continuously records all subsequent block changes for quick, instant reference upon backup.

By further enabling backup operations to be completed faster, enterprises have greater flexibility in fulfilling data protection requirements and service level demands. In the event of disaster, a full image, directory, or individual file can be readily restored.
 


Solution Two
NDMP Support Enables Remote Backup of NAS Filers to Unix-managed Libraries

SnapImage is also an NDMP tape agent. NetWorker communicates with SnapImage via the Network Data Management Protocol - a significant resource for NAS file server environments. This enables NDMP-compliant NAS file servers to be backed up remotely in native format (vs. NFS) to libraries attached to Unix-based SnapImage hosts, delivering faster backups with less network traffic. SnapImage provides improved storage consolidation, ease of management, and greater ROI of library resources .

 

 
 

Features & Benefits

Perform Faster Backups with Less Application Impact

    Ideal for protecting file systems containing many small files

    Backup large data volumes in less time

    Enables enterprise to meet backup requirements within limited window


Automated Live, Block Level Data Protection

    Reduces strain on server resources by consuming less CPU and I/O

    Lower processing overhead delivers greater application performance

    Accelerates tape backup speeds

    Snapshot technology maintains application access with no user lockout


Optimally Efficient Backup Performance

    Backs up only populated blocks, skipping over time/tape consuming null blocks

    Instantly references and incrementally backs up changed blocks only, not entire file

    Reduces backup volumes, completion times, and tape usage


Full, Directory and Individual File Restore

    Fail-safe data protection solution fully managed by NetWorker


Backup NAS Filers to Unix-attached Tape Libraries

    NDMP Tape Agent

    Enables remote protection of NDMP-compliant NAS filer on Unix-attached libraries using native backup format (vs. NFS)

    Backup faster with less network overhead

    Improves scalability, manageability, and ROI of storage resources