BakBone's SMB continuous data protection

BakBone has introduced a new continuous data protection product called NetVault FASTRecover, saying it will eliminate backup windows and recovers Exchange, SQL Server, and Windows File server data in as little as 30 seconds.

This is a similar system to NetVault: Real-Time Data Protector (NVRDP), which provided 30-second, application-aware recovery for Exchange, SQL Server, and Windows file system data, with v2.0 announced in February.

BakBone has taken the enterprise-focussed NVRDP and rebranded and repackaged it into a more affordable form, for small and medium-sized businesses.

There is no direct connection to BakBone's recent purchase of the continuous data protection assets of expired Assempra startup in May. NVRDP uses Assempra technology and BakBone now owns the underlying IP assets it uses.

NetVault is a family of data protection products, which provide backup to tape and disk as well as bare metal recovery, replication, and also continuous data protection.

BakBone has also bought an e-mail messaging company called ColdSpark and is constructing a portfolio of integrated data protection and management products that it says will use policies to govern the management of data at rest and in motion.

FASTRecover basically does what NVRDP does: It takes changed blocks or files from a Windows Exchange server, SQL Server, or general file server and sends them to a server where they are stored in single-instanced and time-stamped form. A failed Exchange, SQL, or file server can be recovered from this very quickly by having 25 to 30 shell files restored to the same or a different physical or virtual server, sufficient to restart the application.

Next, the whole application file set is restored in the background. Then, whenever users request a particular SQL record, Exchange mail or file, that particular object is brought to the head of the queue and restored next. BakBone reckons that this is a very affordable way for SMBs to get fast Recovery Point and Recovery Time Objectives (RPO, RTO).

It can present a valid point-in-time copy of Exchange, SQL Server, or the file server to a backup application and have it written off to tape or any other backup software target device.

The product includes replication, and BakBone will use it to produce a disaster recovery product. It's likely that the roadmap may also include extension to other Windows applications such as SharePoint. Deduplication may also feature at some stage, likewise eDiscovery.

FASTRecover is available now in three software editions and will also be available as an appliance. There are WorkGroup, DataCenter, and Enterprise editions with prices starting from £/€2,995. ®