The VERITAS VERTEX Initiative. The Future of Data Protection

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1 The VERITAS VERTEX Initiative V E R I T A S W H I T E P A P E R The Future of Data Protection

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3 Table of Contents Introduction VERTEX Initiative Description The VERTEX Initiative Product Set VERITAS NetBackup FlashBackup VERITAS NetBackup for Oracle Advanced BLI Agent VERITAS NetBackup for EMC VERITAS NetBackup for HP Business Copy XP Introducing VERITAS NetBackup 4.0v and the NetBackup ServerFree Agent The Future Summary The VERITAS VERTEX Initiative Page 1

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5 Introduction While data growth in corporate IT environments continues to accelerate at more than 100% per year, data protection solutions have struggled to keep pace. Backup performance is crippled by the needs of online all-the-time e-business applications, and backup windows that used to exist are no longer present. Restore performance is also slow because of the inability of many software products to retrieve data quickly and efficiently. Solutions for these environments need to look at alternatives to conventional file-by-file backup methodologies. To meet these demanding needs, VERITAS Software has been offering backup and recovery solutions to keep pace with changing IT environments. VERITAS Software was the first company to provide: A three-tier architecture with VERITAS NetBackup Centralized management of all backup and restore operations Backups of more than a terabyte of data per hour Patented mapping technology with the introduction of FlashBackup Heterogeneous tape drive sharing in a storage area network (SAN) Integrated software snapshot with Oracle8i VERITAS is now continuing on this path of innovation and execution with the introduction of the future of data protection: The VERITAS VERTEX Initiative. VERITAS VERTEX Initiative Description At the cornerstone of the VERITAS VERTEX Initiative is a set of breakthrough technologies for VERITAS NetBackup that will deliver backup and recovery methods developed around the methodology of frozen image or snapshot backups. To date, VERITAS has offered multiple snapshot backup products for use with NetBackup. The VERITAS VERTEX Initiative will incorporate these products and also add new functionality such as data movement directly from disk to tape. In terms of pure business value, the solutions included within the VERITAS VERTEX Initiative will mean a new level of availability for applications that can never be offline or experience business interruption. Efficient data movement for both backups and restores means that cost savings can be realized. In order to understand the VERTEX Initiative better, it is crucial to understand the three concepts that lie beneath this technology: Hardware Snapshot Technologies Hardware snapshots, often known as third mirrors, are physical copies of data that usually reside on disk arrays or subsystems. These data sets are volume level copies of data. In order to back up this data, the mirror is split and can be backed up without affecting production systems. After the backup is complete, the mirror is resynchronized and once again is a complete data set. Although this process does create a physical copy of data, it requires disk space and needs to restore an entire volume rather than an individual file. Software Snapshot Technologies Software snapshots are implemented through a copy on write technique that takes a picture of a file system or data set. The process of taking a snapshot is almost instantaneous, and data is moved to a backup medium at the block level. Any block that is changing while this snapshot image is being backed up is moved to cache. This important process allows the file system to remain in production while also enabling the snapshot to preserve its exact moment in time by flushing the cache to the backup medium. In the event of a restore, data can be restored more efficiently at the file level instead of the volume level. This is made possible by the data mapping that is preserved along with the backup image. The VERITAS VERTEX Initiative Page 3

6 SAN Snapshot Technologies That Combine with Server-Free Data Movement In order to move data without an application or database server, data needs to be frozen at a point in time and moved via an intelligent third party. In most cases, this snapshot occurs at the data host, and then a hardware device that supports the SCSI Extended Copy Command, a block level command that makes device-to-device data movement possible, does the actual data movement. Users can now not only reduce impact on production systems, but also leverage investments made in SAN technology by moving the entire backup data movement process to its own dedicated network. In phase 1, the VERITAS VERTEX Initiative (announced at VERITAS VISION 2000) product set will include the following solutions: Hardware Snapshot Products VERITAS NetBackup for EMC Symmetrix Integration with TimeFinder VERITAS NetBackup for HP XP 256 Integration with Business Copy XP Software Snapshot Products VERITAS NetBackup FlashBackup VERITAS NetBackup for Oracle Advanced BLI Agent SAN Snapshot Products VERITAS NetBackup ServerFree Agent (NetBackup 4.0v) server-free backup directly from disk to tape. NEW! In phase 2, the VERITAS VERTEX Initiative (to be announced in the second half of 2001) solutions set will be expanded to include the following: Hardware Snapshot Products (Integration with NetBackup) VERITAS NetBackup support for EMC, Sun, HP, Compaq, HDS, and IBM solutions Software Snapshot Products VERITAS NetBackup for Oracle Advanced BLI Agent - 2nd Generation VERITAS NetBackup support for snapshot functionality in Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Exchange (API level integration) SAN Snapshot Products More support for 3PC engines, applications, and platforms Page 4 The VERITAS VERTEX Initiative

7 The VERITAS VERTEX Initiative Product Set VERITAS NetBackup FlashBackup FlashBackup enables a software snapshot of a live UFS, online JFS, or VxFS file systems. VERITAS copy on write driver guarantees a stable point in time backup by capturing data blocks while a file system is changing. After a raw partition backup, users can restore individual files because of VERITAS unique mapping technology preserved from the snapshot. This solution provides major performance improvements to environments with large numbers of small files. Product Highlights File-Level Snapshot Unlike other snapshot technologies, FlashBackup can restore at the file level rather than at the volume level. This added level of granularity enables the restore of a single file/directory. Cost-Effective Solution FlashBackup requires less disk space than other snapshot products on the market today. Full or Incremental Backups FlashBackup gives the flexibility of taking a full backup or only capturing the changed data with an incremental backup. Increased Backup Performance When a server contains file systems that have a very large number of files and most of the file system blocks are allocated, FlashBackup provides faster backup performance than any other product on the market today. Individual File Restore from Raw (IFRFR) FlashBackup has a file system mapping capability that allows individual files/directories to be restored from FlashBackup raw-partition backups. Raw-Partition Restores FlashBackup can also restore entire raw partitions using the standard NetBackup mechanism. File Systems Mounted during Raw-Partition Backups It is not necessary to unmount the file system or mount it read-only, as with other raw-partition backups. FlashBackup has an online backup capability that allows the file system to be mounted on the raw partition, allowing it to be modified while the backup is in progress. VERITAS NetBackup for Oracle Advanced BLI Agent Certified by Oracle and used in conjunction with the VERITAS Database Edition for Oracle, VERITAS NetBackup for Oracle Advanced BLI Agent provides block level incremental backup for Oracle applications. This product helps to eliminate I/O overhead and reduces the time required for a backup. Storage Checkpoint technology takes a snapshot of the Oracle database and allows NetBackup to identify only block changes during an incremental backup. Identifying only changed blocks means less data to back up. This level of granularity improves the speed for backups in mission critical Oracle database environments. Product Highlights Cost-Effective, No Additional Hardware Requirements VERITAS NetBackup for Oracle Advanced BLI Agent can be implemented without adding any more hardware to a user s IT environment. Online, Nondisruptive, Full, Differential, and Cumulative Block Level Incremental Backup The VERITAS NetBackup for Oracle Advanced BLI Agent offers flexible backup options while also keeping systems online. Backup of Critical Oracle Files, Including Control Files Backups capture all of Oracle s metadata along with the critical database data. Backup and Restore at the Database, Tablespace, and Data File Levels VERITAS NetBackup offers tremendous flexibility in its backup and restore functionality for Oracle databases. This level of granularity means that Oracle databases will have highest levels of availability. The VERITAS VERTEX Initiative Page 5

8 Archived Redo Log Backup and Rapid Recovery Oracle databases cannot be recovered without the Archive Redo Logs, and NetBackup ensures that these are fully protected. Simplified, One-Step Recovery Unlike conventional Oracle Backups that can require numerous steps, VERITAS NetBackup can recover and restore Oracle databases in one easy step. Support for Storage Area Networks (SANs) via VERITAS NetBackup Shared Storage Option (SSO) NetBackup s Shared Storage Option (SSO) allows individual tape drives (stand-alone or in a robotic library) to be shared dynamically between multiple NetBackup servers. The shared drives are automatically allocated and de-allocated as backup and restore operations dictate. The end result is better use of disk and tape hardware, which lowers the overall cost of ownership for the hardware resources needed to protect data throughout the enterprise. Recovery Simulation Users can see exactly what will be restored before actually kicking off a recovery command. This saves both time and resources. VERITAS NetBackup for EMC VERITAS NetBackup is integrated with EMC Timefinder for the EMC Symmetrix disk array systems. NetBackup works with the EMC Timefinder agent to create BCVs or Business Continuance Volumes, which are split and backed up by NetBackup. Once the backup is complete, the split mirror is resynchronized to restore the mirror to its original state. Product Highlights Full Support for EMC s TimeFinder Business Continuance Volume (BCV) Backups Full backup and restore operations include uninterrupted online Oracle database backup, second host backup support, and multiple data streams for fastest possible backups. Centralized and Scheduled Backup Operations From the NetBackup Master Server, scheduling facilities can be used to schedule automatic and unattended Oracle backups; these can be performed transparently, for both BCV and standard file system backup operations. Graphical User Interfaces NetBackup offers both JAVA and Windows NT graphical user interfaces for maximum ease of use and lower training costs. Media Management Facilities All devices supported by NetBackup Media Manager are available to NetBackup for EMC. Support for Storage Area Networks NetBackup s Shared Storage Option (SSO) allows individual tape drives (stand-alone or in a robotic library) to be shared dynamically between multiple NetBackup servers. The shared drives are automatically allocated and de-allocated as backup and restore operations dictate. The end result is better use of disk and tape hardware, which lowers the overall cost of ownership for the hardware resources needed to protect data throughout the enterprise. Multiplexed Backups/Multiple Data Streams NetBackup s multiplexing and Multiple data stream capabilities let you take advantage of EMC s Business Continuance Volumes by executing backup operations in parallel. With multiplexing, multiple concurrent data streams are directed to a single or to multiple tapes, ensuring the fastest possible backups. Full Integration with EMC s Symmetrix TimeFinder API (SYMAPI) Using EMC s ES backup software, NetBackup backup policies can be defined to support all EMC Business Continuance Volume backup procedures. Online Database Backup via Second Host Backup Continuous, uninterrupted Oracle database backup is possible with no performance impact on primary server. Page 6 The VERITAS VERTEX Initiative

9 VERITAS NetBackup for HP Business Copy XP Offered through VERITAS Software, NetBackup is integrated with Business Copy XP for the HP XP 256 disk array systems. NetBackup breaks off the third mirror and then backs up the data. Once the backup is complete, the split mirror is resynchronized to restore the mirror to its original state. Product Highlights Full Support for HP s Business Copy XP Backups Full backup and restore operations include uninterrupted online Oracle database backup, second host backup support, raw partitions, file systems, and multiple data streams for fastest possible backups. Centralized and Scheduled Backup Operations From the NetBackup Master Server, scheduling facilities can be used to schedule automatic and unattended Oracle backups; these can be performed transparently for standard file system backup operations. Graphical User Interfaces NetBackup offers both JAVA and Windows NT graphical user interfaces for maximum ease of use and lower training costs. Media Management Facilities All devices supported by NetBackup Media Manager are available to NetBackup for HP. Support for Storage Area Networks NetBackup s Shared Storage Option (SSO) allows individual tape drives (stand-alone or in a robotic library) to be shared dynamically between multiple NetBackup servers. The shared drives are automatically allocated and de-allocated as backup and restore operations dictate. The end result is better use of disk and tape hardware, which lowers the overall cost of ownership for the hardware resources needed to protect data throughout the enterprise. Multiplexed Backups/Multiple Data Streams NetBackup s multiplexing and Multiple data stream capabilities let you take advantage of HP s Business Copy XP by executing backup operations in parallel. With multiplexing, multiple concurrent data streams are directed to a single or to multiple tapes, ensuring the fastest possible backups. Online Database Backup via Second Host Backup Continuous, uninterrupted Oracle database backup is possible with no performance impact on primary server. Introducing VERITAS NetBackup 4.0v and the NetBackup ServerFree Agent VERITAS NetBackup ServerFree Agent is a look into the future of backup. Using sophisticated snapshot, mapping, and thirdparty copy technologies, NetBackup ServerFree Agent will give IT users the ultimate in flexibility and functionality. Although other vendors talk about serverless backup, they do not address the key pieces that must be included with such a technology. Most of these competing technologies are rigid and often address only pieces of overall larger issues with regard to data integrity and movement. Product Highlights Graphical User Interface NetBackup ServerFree Agent offers a Java interface for maximum ease of use and lower training costs. Selectable Frozen Image Methods NetBackup ServerFree Agent supports a variety of frozen image or snapshot backup methods. Advanced Mapping Technology Mapping the logical (files) to the physical (blocks) enables the ServerFree Agent to handle unforeseen system events while maintaining data integrity. Multiple Data Movement Methods Embedded SCSI Extended Copy Command in either an FC/SCSI Bridge or a NetBackup Media Server. SAN Investment Leverage The VERITAS NetBackup ServerFree Agent exploits the SAN architecture by taking advantage of the ability to move data directly from disk to tape. Online Oracle8i Database Backup A fully RMAN-integrated, uninterrupted Oracle database backup solution is possible with no performance impact on the primary server. The VERITAS VERTEX Initiative Page 7

10 The ServerFree Agent consists of three steps: 1. Data Snapshot VERITAS NetBackup must create a point-in-time copy of data to be able to move backups efficiently without an application or database server. The first step in the frozen image or snapshot creation process is to quiesce the application or database for a brief second by placing it into backup mode. This process flushes all buffers and makes sure the data is at a known point in time. Once this point has been established, a snapshot backup can be engaged using either the FlashBackup snapshot driver or hooks into the VERITAS Volume Manager or File System snapshot technologies. Multiple snapshot methods give users an unparalleled level of flexibility. 2. Logical Disk Object Mapping The Underlying Difference The underlying technology layer between a snapshot and server free data movement is logical disk object mapping. VERITAS has developed this technology because it is crucial that the data is reliably mapped so that its physical location is known. After the snapshot has been taken, the Server Free Agent maps the data by drilling down through the I/O stack and linking the logical file names to the actual physical blocks of data. In the event of a file system reorganization, sector slippage, or RAID 5 degraded performance, the data can be remapped to make sure its integrity is preserved. This technology layer is essential for server free data movement. Without it, the potential of data corruption is significant when data needs to be restored to the server. Once the mapping (block list) is completed, it can be sent to the third party copy engine. 3. True ServerFree Data Movement When the snapshot and mapping operations are completed, the data is ready to be moved by the SCSI Extended Copy Command* that can reside in either a SAN hardware device or even a NetBackup Media Server. In either architecture, the data is no longer moved by the application or database server, but rather off-loaded to a third party. The SCSI extended copy engine handles the actual movement of backup data directly from disk to tape in a storage area network. *The SCSI Extended Copy Command is a block-oriented command that can cause device-to-device data movement. Here is closer look at the two data movement methods supported by the VERITAS NetBackup ServerFree Agent: SAN Device or Third-Party Copy Another option consists of a NetBackup server issuing commands to a third-party copy engine within a NetBackup storage domain. In this environment, a frozen image will be moved from disk to tape via a third-party copy engine. Today, those engines are FC-to-SCSI bridge devices from Chaparral and Pathlight. Although this technology is still evolving and will continue to improve as SANs develop, VERITAS will be able to support this type of architecture within the sophisticated pieces of other VERITAS SAN software such as VERITAS SANPoint Control and the SAN Access Layer. VERITAS NetBackup Media Server Copy Using a VERITAS NetBackup Media Server as a third party copy engine in a multiple NetBackup server environment, end users will be able to conduct disk to tape I/O movement with the added benefits of the core NetBackup product such as multi-streaming and checkpoint restart. In this architecture, the media server is the only CPU resource involved in the actual I/O movement of the backup operations. This again reduces the backup footprint of NetBackup because CPU resources can be dedicated back to traditional server applications. Page 8 The VERITAS VERTEX Initiative

11 The Future In the future, the VERITAS VERTEX Initiative will incorporate new functionality in each of its core product areas. In phase 2 (to be announced in the second half of 2001), the VERITAS VERTEX Initiative product set will be expanded to include the following solutions: Hardware Snapshot Products Solutions from the leading vendors in the storage market will be integrated into the VERITAS VERTEX Initiative. The integration with these technologies represents a tremendous total cost of ownership savings for end users. NetBackup will support solutions from EMC, Sun, HP, Compaq, HDS, and IBM. Other solutions may be incorporated as well, based on market demand. Software Snapshot Products Software snapshot technologies will also be added in order to expand the VERITAS VERTEX Initiative. NetBackup for Oracle Advanced BLI Agent - 2nd Generation, a snapshot method designed to allow for storage checkpoints to be controlled by NetBackup, will be introduced along with support for Microsoft-based snapshot functionality in Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Exchange. SAN Snapshot Products The NetBackup ServerFree Agent will add more support for 3PC engines, applications, and platforms. Summary The goal of the VERITAS VERTEX Initiative is to provide organizations with a solution to protect mission critical, online all-thetime applications by creating IT environments where backup windows are irrelevant and recovery windows become a fraction of what they are today. This set of solutions, used in combination or separately, will deliver on that goal by providing the following key benefits to users: Eliminates backup windows and keeps businesses running 24x7x365 Improves restore performance and eliminates restore delays Eliminates backup overhead in the application Leverages Investments made in third-party snapshot technologies Leverages VERITAS NetBackup, the leading backup and recovery solution on the market today This approach to backup and recovery represents the future of data protection. The VERITAS VERTEX Initiative Page 9

12 VERITAS Software Corporation Corporate Headquarters 1600 Plymouth Street Mountain View, CA For additional information about VERITAS, its products, or the location of an office near you, please call our corporate headquarters or visit our website at V E R I T A S W H I T E P A P E R Copyright 2000 VERITAS Software Corporation. All rights reserved. VERITAS, VERITAS SOFTWARE, the VERITAS logo, Business Without Interruption, VERITAS, The Data Availability Company, VERITAS NetBackup, VERITAS Database Edition, VERITAS NetBackup Shared Storage Option, VERITAS SANPoint Control, and VERITAS NetBackup FlashBackup are trademarks or registered trademarks of VERITAS Software Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other product names mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Specifications and product offerings subject to change without notice. Printed in USA. October