I recently conducted an review on the leading Enterprise-Level Backup systems for one of our customers.  Here are some of the findings.

Enterprise-Level backup systems are very powerful and complex, as they need to provide everything for everyone.   These systems may provide all the technologies but there are always subtle differences in their capabilities.   The following table provides a comparison of the leading Enterprise-Level backup applications available at the time of writing the report.  Symantec Backup Exec was not considered in this review as it is not considered as an Enterprise-level backup application and it is primarily aimed at the Small to Medium Business market lacking several enterprise specific functions.

1.1    Symantec NetBackup 6.5

Symantec NetBackup 6.5 is the big brother of Backup Exec providing enterprise-level backup features.  Designed specifically for Windows Environments, Backup Exec has been developed for small to medium businesses.  NetBackup is designed for multi-platform enterprise environments with advanced features that Backup Exec cannot provide.

From the review, information about NetBackup was easily attained and it capabilities are very good.  A recent report from Gartner “MarketScope for Enterprise Backup/Recovery Software, 2008” rated the product as “positive” in a promising market.  They did state “Ease of use and integration of new functions are still issues” with the product.  Other reports outlined that NetBackup has one of the best integrations for the backup of VMWare Virtual servers. 

NetBackup has a large range of options to covers most backup technologies and requirements.  Its “Bare Metal” option covers most operating system types where TSM “Fastback” only covers “Windows” servers.

Symantec also have a remote office solution through the use of their Puredisk system.  Puredisk is their de-duplication offering and they claim it to provide bandwidth-optimised protection for remote offices.

In summary NetBackup has is most encompassing offering for an Enterprise-Level data backup system covering multi platforms.

1.2    CommVault Simpana

CommVault Simpana 8.0 has a very solid offering in the Enterprise-Level data backup arena.  Providing options for most technologies, their website failed to provide details on their “Bare Metal” restoration option.  1-Touch is the product that offers this technologies and it offers the technology across multiple operating systems.    The lack of marketing for this product is a concern though.

In the Gartner “MarketScope for Enterprise Backup/Recovery Software, 2008”, CommVault was the only other vendor to be rated as “positive” in a promising market.  They did state, “New features can take a couple of version to be enterprise ready” about the product.  

Remote office backup issues can be solved through several different options according to CommVault.  Each solving different specific requirements, CommVault does have solutions to solve the remote office issue.  In the VMWare Virtual Server space, CommVault also offers a very comprehensive solution to address the unique requirements of this environment.

In summary CommVault has a solid offering but their lack of marketing of their 1-Touch product is a bit of a concern.     

1.3    IBM Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM)

IBM Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) is a strong contender in the Enterprise-level data backup system arena.  Covering most of the backup technologies several offering where only available via its Extended version. 

In the Gartner “MarketScope for Enterprise Backup/Recovery Software, 2008”, TSM was rated as a “promising” product however since this report IBM has released new features in the areas of de-duplication that may affect its ranking today. 

TSM has some limitations in that some of the options only cover “Windows” based systems.  For example their “Bare Metal” restoration option called “Fastback” can only protect “Windows” based systems.  This will be a limitation to the integration of the product as PRP could use this technology in the non “Windows” environment.

TSM integrates with VMWare Virtual servers via VMWare Consolidated Backup but lacks any additional features and functionality unlike the other products that improve efficiency and reduce storage requirements.  Archiving of files and mail is also only provided via a completely separate product called “IBM Content Collection and Archiving” unlike the other offerings.

IBM recommends that remote offices be protected by their “FastBack” solution that provides “Bare Metal” restoration services.  This is a good solution as long as all remote offices are using “Windows” based servers.

In summary TSM is a good product but seems to have some limitations.  If these limitations are not an issue for the organisation then TSM is definitely an option.  However there should always be a consideration of future requirements and how the product will address them.