When the server virtualization hit the market, users were immediately enthusiastic about this new technology. It was an immediate hit owing to the fantasizing features it offered. The companies started adopting the technology, starting with bigger enterprises, extending to the smaller ones when the processes became more cost effective and optimized. While the IT administration enjoyed the benefits of virtualization, backing up of the immense data emerged as a pain area for administrators. Over the initial few years when server virtualization just stepped in, data back-up posed the following issues:
Companies first tried to force fit their existing back-up processes on to the virtual servers. Typically, an agent was run on each virtual machine to have the back-up. It did the job, however, crippled the network system completely.
VMware Consolidated Backup (VCB) was a welcoming step in this scenario. It was an innovative method to have the data backed up efficiently, but the entire process added complexities to the system. There was time delay, cost factor and additional implementation steps which kept many businesses to indulge with this solution.
Many start-up ventures realized the opportunity and stepped in with their applications to back-up data from a virtualized platform. These were cost effective solutions for various forms of server virtualization, and the small to mid-sized companies immediately went ahead with these back-up techniques. The larger enterprises however stayed away. They had their own back-up solutions existing in multiple numbers, which resisted them adding another to their already huge and cumbersome backing systems.
Where Are We Now?
Today, there are some fantastic applications with individual features. The companies need to assess their requirements and look for the solution that best suits their demands. Vendors are generally perfecting their ways for the enterprise specific applications back-up solutions, rather than the generalized software for everyone. With the virtual machine focused as the data source, IT units must look into factors which distinguish these back-up solutions from each other.
Steps To Adopt The Right Back-Up Solution:
1. List Your Needs
2. Assess Functionality:
In short, an ideal back-up solution for an enterprise should work well with not only the virtual servers, but also the physical servers if any. It is nice to have the existing vendor offer an extended technological assistance to have the smooth back-up process run on existing environment. When making the checklist before the purchase, consider if your opted back-up solution:
And then go ahead with the best choice.
Companies first tried to force fit their existing back-up processes on to the virtual servers. Typically, an agent was run on each virtual machine to have the back-up. It did the job, however, crippled the network system completely.
VMware Consolidated Backup (VCB) was a welcoming step in this scenario. It was an innovative method to have the data backed up efficiently, but the entire process added complexities to the system. There was time delay, cost factor and additional implementation steps which kept many businesses to indulge with this solution.
Many start-up ventures realized the opportunity and stepped in with their applications to back-up data from a virtualized platform. These were cost effective solutions for various forms of server virtualization, and the small to mid-sized companies immediately went ahead with these back-up techniques. The larger enterprises however stayed away. They had their own back-up solutions existing in multiple numbers, which resisted them adding another to their already huge and cumbersome backing systems.
Where Are We Now?
Today, there are some fantastic applications with individual features. The companies need to assess their requirements and look for the solution that best suits their demands. Vendors are generally perfecting their ways for the enterprise specific applications back-up solutions, rather than the generalized software for everyone. With the virtual machine focused as the data source, IT units must look into factors which distinguish these back-up solutions from each other.
Steps To Adopt The Right Back-Up Solution:
1. List Your Needs
- Current System Deficiencies:
- Applications And Database Details:
- Legacy Applications:
- Periodic Or Continuous:
2. Assess Functionality:
- Set Priority:
- Support For Multiple Hypervisors:
- Consistency During A Crash:
In short, an ideal back-up solution for an enterprise should work well with not only the virtual servers, but also the physical servers if any. It is nice to have the existing vendor offer an extended technological assistance to have the smooth back-up process run on existing environment. When making the checklist before the purchase, consider if your opted back-up solution:
- Is compatible to company’s infrastructure
- Supports multiple hypervisors if your business demands so
- Ensures data retention during a crash
And then go ahead with the best choice.