Symantec NetBackup Storage Migrator

Symantec NetBackup Storage Migrator Overview

Veritas NetBackup Storage Migrator extends NetBackup with storage management capabilities to automatically store data on the most appropriate media from creation to disposal. The result is improved storage utilization, better control of data growth, and more efficient regulatory compliance. Because only active files are kept online, disk storage is extended and backup requirements are reduced.

Automation

Software automation is critical to data life cycle management. NetBackup Storage Migrator provides the tools to automate selection of files among otherwise overwhelming volumes of data, and to move selected subsets of data to diverse media types. Automated enforcement of storage policies also delivers improved consistency over manual processes; helping to mitigate regulatory compliance issues.

NetBackup Storage Migrator leaves a placeholder or stub on the online disk when migrating selected files. When the file system issues an open request for a migrated file, it is recalled automatically and transparently to the original online disk. Partial file caching gives users and applications immediate access to part of the file while NetBackup Storage Migrator completes the retrieval.

NetBackup Storage Migrator constantly monitors online disk storage, compiling a list of files that meet storage manager-defined criteria. When an online disk reaches a predefined “high watermark,” NetBackup Storage Migrator starts moving files that meet configured criteria. The migration process continues until the defined “low watermark” is reached, or until all eligible files are migrated. Storage managers also can initiate migration when they need more online disk storage capacity. This allows organizations to set aside less online storage for free space, while giving users and applications a perception of infinite online capacity.

Monitoring the usage and capacity of a volume allows the software to immediately react to critical storage conditions. Since NetBackup Storage Migrator will automatically free up space, administrators can feel safe running at 70, 80 or even 90 percent of capacity without a full-disk error crashing an application or preventing users from saving their work.

Improved Efficiency

NetBackup Storage Migrator reduces or delays the need to acquire new hardware by more efficiently using the resources you have for a higher return on investment in these resources. For example, a tape library used solely for backup jobs can be used 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to expand online storage resources. And with less-frequently accessed data being migrated to near-line or offline storage, online storage is also more efficient as it will house only the most-frequently used data and will not suffer downtime as a result of a full disk.

Inefficient storage means unnecessarily long backup times and crippling restore times. NetBackup Storage Migrator reduces overall backup and recovery times by decreasing the number of files on the online disk. Backups write only the stubs to secondary storage. Online disk volume recovery recognizes and reconciles migrated files.

Product Highlights:

• Extend NetBackup: Integrate with the powerful NetBackup media manager to migrate data from online storage to backup media. Use a Storage Area Network (SAN) as a target with the NetBackup Shared Storage Optionä. Manage your NetBackup Storage Migrator™ media from the NetBackup Global Data Managerä interface.
• Enhance Oracle Recovery: Migrating Oracle Archive/Redo logs allows you to store more logs for easier point-in-time recovery of Oracle databases. Creation of migration policies for Oracle Archive/Redo logs is simple thanks to an easy-to-use configuration wizard.
• Streamline Data Protection/Disaster Recovery: Stop continually backing up infrequently accessed files, which wastes disk space, tape, CPU, and network resources. In the event of a restore, the system needs to recover only a placeholder, not the entire file. Multiple copies of migrated data can be created for greater disaster protection. Integration with VERITAS NetBackup also means full disaster recovery since you have complete offsite copies of both backup and migrated data.
• Retain Data Efficiently: Industries like financial services, health care, and government have different demands for data retention. It is necessary to comply with each industry’s regulations, yet too time consuming for administrators to handle manually. With NetBackup Storage Migrator, storage managers can configure policies to meet their unique data life cycles in a consistent, automated, cost-effective manner. NetBackup Storage Migrator also supports WORM tape media, which is a critical for compliance with data retention regulations.
• Reduce Online Storage Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Delay or eliminate additional hardware acquisitions by efficiently using available resources. Reduce the load on critical storage administrators by automating data management in the storage hierarchy.
• Leverage Existing Hardware Investment: Integrate with VERITAS NetBackup for offline or nearline media management, as well as for sharing existing tape libraries. Get the most out of offline resources by using them more often and taking the load off of online resources.

Feature and Benefits:

Key Features:

• Integration with the powerful NetBackup media manager for migration of data from online storage to backup media.
• Configurable data retention policies allows storage managers to meet unique data life cycle management needs in a consistent, automated, and cost-effective manner.
• Migration of Oracle archive/redo logs provides administrators with easier point-in-time recovery of Oracle databases.

Key Benefits:

• Streamlines data protection and disaster recovery by conserving disk space, tape, CPU, and network resources.
• Reduces online storage Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) through more efficient use of available resources.
• Facilitates the establishment of automatic, centralized, reliable, repeatable, and documented practices around managing file data for regulatory compliance and corporate governance.

System Requirements:

Supported OS and file system

• Solaris 7,8,9 with VxFS 4.0 or CFS 4.0
• HP-UX 11.0 with JFS 3.3, 11.11; 11i with JFS 3.3/3.5
• SGI IRIX 6.5.18 or later with XFS

Supported Media Managers

• Veritas NetBackup Media Manager

Documentation:

Download the Symantec NetBackup Storage Migrator Datasheet (PDF).