Recently, Dell announced a series of Data Protection appliances, based on their PowerVault storage appliance line.
For those that are not familiar, a storage appliance like PowerVault uses the same basic server components as their PowerEdge server line. But instead of being without an OS, or with a basic installation of Windows Server on it -- a PowerVault is optimized for file & disk-based IO, as a Storage Appliance.
Part of that optimization comes in the Windows Storage Server operating system that is used, which along with an optimized OS also provides additional storage capabilities not found in the Windows Server primary operating system. Then, add some hardware optimizations and additional add-ins ... and voila, a PowerVault, powered by Windows Storage Server.
This core platform is a great solution for data protection, so by pre-installing System Center Data Protection Manager 2007, one now has a Data Protection appliance by Dell.
Certainly, one has choices when deploying DPM:
1) Build your own server (new or existing), with a fresh install of Windows Server and deploy Data Protection Manager
2) Build your own appliance by purchasing a Windows Storage Server and installing Data Protection Manager
3) Purchase a Data Protection appliance from a Microsoft partner like Dell - o ut of the box, powered up and ready to protect your Windows Servers in about 30 minutes. Dell specifically has three models, DP100, DP500 and DP600, based on your storage and performance requirements.
Dell Data Protection Appliance datasheet (PDF)
Speaking of storage and performance, you may also want to drive your DPM deployment throuh one of the many great Microsoft partner resellers out there, who can deploy any of these options for you, especially if you have engaged with them to deploy and maintain your core Microsoft applications like SQL Server, Exchange or SharePoint -- then they are well suited to help you architect and deploy Data Protection Manager as needed.
This month, we are highlighting the Dell + DPM solution in part because the
Dell Power Solutions magazine for February 2008
includes two articles on their Data Protection appliance. One is a higher-level description of the issues around backup that the DPM+Dell appliance is focused on addressing. The other is a deeper-dive into how DPM works, within the appliance.
If you already subscribe to Dell Power Solutions, look for them in the upcoming February 2008 edition.
If you can't wait for the magazine (or you don't subscribe yet), you can check them out online.
Safeguarding Data with Dell PowerVault Data Protection Appliances - by Sanjeet Singh and Jason...
A Look Inside Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager 2007 -- by Jason Buffington & Sa...
So, if you already have your own hardware - and Windows Server - load up on DPM 2007.
If you are looking at DPM 2007 and needing new hardware to run it on, then you might consider getting the entire solution from a name that you trust -- Dell.