In December HP released the new Data Protector version 9.02. With this release additional features were implemented. Some of the new features are explained in more detail below.
New Data Protector features:
- Pausing and Resuming Backup Jobs
- Reporting for Capacity Based Licensing
- VMware GRE for 3PAR Snapshots
- StoreOnce CoFC and Federated Catalyst
- Data Domain Replication
- IBM Mainframe Support
- Recent Platform changes
- Cell Server Support for MS Failover Cluster on Windows 2012 and Windows 2012R2
- HP Backup Navigator
- HP DP Management Pack
- HP DP Smart Plug-In für HP Operation Manager
Pausing and resuming backup jobs:
As part of the “Adaptive Backup and Recovery Initiative” Data Protector 9.02 now supports automated pausing and resuming of backup jobs. In case a backup starts, flagged with high prority, a backup with lower priority is paused automatically. This helps to protect your critical data with higher priority. After the job has been finished the job with the lower priority is resumed. For backups of type file system, Oracle and VMware, the backup is continued at the stage when paused. For all other backup types the whole object is restarted. The feature is supported on backup jobs only, not working for copy or replication jobs. In addition pause and resume are not available for B2D devices (StoreOnce Backup System, DD Boost, Smart Cache und Cloud).
Reporting for Capacity Based Licensing:
So far and when using the capacity based licensing model in Data Protector there was no license report available to display the usage consumed by backups. With Data Protector 9.02, now there is a calculation available to be used for capacity planning. With the command omnicc -check_licenses -detail you can report the used capacity. For the math the last successful completed backup is used. Backups with expired protection are not taken into account.
VMware GRE for 3PAR Snapshots:
With the feature “Granular Recovery Extension” – GRE – for 3PAR snapshots a fast solution to recover single items from VMware backup is implemented. This is working with the use of the vCenter plug-in and the zero downtime backup integration (ZDB) for the backup of virtual machines. GRE can be used for incremental, differential and full backups in CBT or non-CBT mode.
StoreOnce CoFC and Federated Catalyst:
With the introduction of StoreOnce firmware 3.12, the features from the release are supported in Data Protector 9.02. With CoFC it becomes possible to use Catalyst over Fibre Channel for backups and restores on all models with FC support and firmware 3.12 installed. CoFC was first introduced for StoreOnce 6X00 systems and now made available to single node systems too. With Federated Catalyst the load balancing for backups on StoreOnce 6X00 models was enhanced to include up to 8 nodes. The quota support for NAS shares and VTL (Catalyst already available in previous version) might be an interesting feature for service provider.
Data Domain Replication:
Data Domain DD Boost backup already was available in previous versions of Data Protector. With Data Protector 9.02 the replication for Data Domain appliances is now supported, the implementation is similiar to StoreOnce Catalyst replication. All Data Domain models featuring DD OS 5.4 and 5.5 are supported. For the replication Data Protector sessions can be replicated only, the replication of media or objects is not possible.
IBM Mainframe Support:
With Data Protector 9.02 the filesystem backup for IBM System z (z/OS 2.1, RHEL 6.3, SUSE 11.3 and z/VM) was introduced. This new feature allows the Open System backup for Mainframe filesystems (HFS and zFS filesystems) with less costs. Please keep in mind that a Media Agent is not available, the backup is done over network.
Recent Platform changes:
For a list of enhanced platforms in Data Protector 9.02, please refer to the “Platform and Integration Support Matrix (Platform_Integrtn_SptMtx.pdf). An Online version is available here: http://softwaresupport.hp.com.
Cell Server Support for MS Failover Cluster on Windows 2012 and Windows 2012R2:
A new feature is the support for a Cell Manager running on MS Failover Cluster on Windows 2012 or Windows 2012 R2. Please keep in mind, that the installation of a new “cluster-aware” cell server is available through installation server only. In order to run the cell server in cluster-aware mode you first need to install an installation server with Data Protector version 9.00 followed by the patch bundle 9.02. Now you can copy the depot files onto your prepared Windows 2012 or Windows 2012 R2 cluster and start the cluster-aware installation as usual. In case you want to start the installation from a network share, make sure all nodes in the cluster can access the depot files without a password prompt.
HP Backup Navigator:
Some features of HP Backup Navigator were enhanced in version 9.0. Advanced Monitoring, Reporting and Trend Analysis for virtual machines are available. In addition more predefined reports are implemented and the installation compared to version 8.XX is easier. With the new license “Backup Navigator Single Cell Manager Edition” a more attractive price for the enterprise reporting application in smaller environments was introduced as well (product number: H7U58AAE –HP Backup Navigator 1 Cell/10TB SW E-LTU).
HP DP Management Pack:
The Data Protector Management Pack for Microsoft SCOM was enhanced too. With the new version the monitoring of Data Protector environments with virtual machines becomes available.
HP DP Smart Plug-In für HP Operation Manager:
A new feature for Data Protector is the “Data Protector Smart Plug-In for HP Operation Manager”. It allows to discover and visualize Data Protector environments. In addition monitoring of availability and performance, identifying problems, displaying information and recommendations to solve problems are the main focus of the plug-in.