BakBone Software's NetVault is a scalable multi-platform back-up application that has proved popular thanks to its simple interface.

Version 6.5 offers improved support for storage area networks (Sans) and network attached storage (Nas) together with enhanced device and back-up management. Two new plug-in modules have also been released, adding an open file manager and managed disaster recovery facilities.

Windows NT, 2000, Linux and most Unix implementations are supported, and virtually all can be configured as either back-up servers or clients.

Additionally the software can protect a mix of San and Nas systems using the Network Data Management Protocol (NDMP).

Certification

NDMP also needs to be supported by the storage devices, and most vendors now provide such support as standard. The software is certified for use with products from leading manufacturers, including Brocade, Emulex, Gadzoox and Vixel.

Installation is simple. In lab tests we loaded NetVault onto a pair of Windows servers and configured a Red Hat Linux system as a back-up client. The whole procedure took just a few minutes, after which all of our systems could be managed from the Windows-based console provided.

A Sony AIT-2 drive and an Linear Tape Open Ultrium library were then correctly identified and configured from the console, enabling us to define and take back-ups within minutes.

Extra functionality

The management interface is extremely easy to get to grips with, and underneath is a huge amount of functionality. For instance, data can be compressed as it is pulled across the network and streamed to multiple tape drives or libraries to improve performance.

It is also possible to stage back-ups to disk, principally for speed, and then copy them to tape later. High availability fail-over is another key feature, along with all the common scheduling and media management facilities expected of an enterprise back-up program.

Back-up and restore features come as standard, and additional functionality can be added in the form of Application Plug-in Modules (APMs). These are quick and easy to install from the management console with no need to visit the remote servers or clients involved.

Database backup

APMs are available to back up a range of database formats, as well as SAP R/3, Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Notes systems. Firms with Windows networks will particularly like the Office Data Share plug-in, enabling any accessible Windows share to be included in a back-up.

In addition, the new Open File Manager module allows snapshots of open files to be taken and backed up, while the VaultDR APM adds useful new disaster recovery facilities. VaultDR is interesting because it allows a system to be recovered even when the operating system drive has been destroyed - a so-called bare metal recovery.

The intuitive graphical interface is a big attraction, but its reporting and alerting facilities are rather basic. The modular approach also has its drawbacks as the price that firms end up paying can be a lot more than expected, as each APM costs £660 + VAT. Still, it makes for a very flexible solution that can be expanded as required.