i365 Plans Multi-Platform Backup and Recovery Based on Windows Server

November 17, 2009 Dan Burger

Next time you are sitting around “blamestorming” about the various cans of worms that that the IT department has on its hands, toss out for discussion the idea of backup and recovery on multiple platforms. A single solution to a multiple-platform problem is a popular wish list item these days. But as we all know, if wishes were horses, then beggars would ride. This may be a chance for you beggars to ride.

Let’s start this off with a warning. You may not like this if you see every option through IBM i tinted glasses. But if you are a little i in mostly Microsoft datasphere, this deserves some attention.

i365, which you may more quickly recognize by its previous name, EVault, was one of the first companies to develop a native i OS storage agent that could move System i backups over the wire to off-site facilities. So, yes, i365 has some System i experience to go along with its newly announced heterogeneous solution that emphasizes Microsoft Data Protection Manager 2010 and a cloud-based storage infrastructure.

For Microsoft-heavy companies that have DPM as their standard for Windows backup and recovery, but also run other operating systems and applications for part of their business, this is a single solution option. According to i365 officials, the integrated data protection environment covers Windows file servers and applications, as well as other platforms and applications, such as IBM i, Unix, Linux, Novell NetWare, VMware, and Oracle.

This cloud-based option will be available in several configurations, including an appliance-based backup solution, and is scheduled for delivery in early 2010.

Data protected in the i365 cloud will rely on a network of SAS 70 Type II certified, Tier 3 and 4 hosting facilities for WAN-based backup and recovery. Customers will have access to experts on backup and recovery. Let the record show that expectations for recovery usually exceed the reality in most organizations. Having access to experts is probably a bigger benefit than you might imagine on first impression. The service also includes data compression and block-level de-duplication to diminish the strain on network bandwidth.

The multi-platform aspect of this streamlines the entire backup and recovery free-for-all, allowing more to get accomplished with fewer resources. Most IBM i shops have enjoyed this benefit for many years. The Windows world is just beginning to see the light.

Just about a month ago, i365 unveiled two storage solutions that work with System i and other platforms. The EVault Plug-n-Protect backup appliance is a scaled down for small to mid size companies version of an existing EVault device. A second option is the EVault Offsite Replication Service that allows customers to implement a hybrid cloud storage that utilizes i365’s data centers, and can be used as a warm site for disaster recovery.

i365 is a subsidiary of storage giant Seagate Technology. For more information on this data protection software and cloud-connected storage solution infrastructure, see www.i365.com.