Category: DPX

NDMPs Backup & Wiederherstellung – Die Top 11 Herausforderungen

Dateiebene NAS NDMP Wiederherstellungen: Ihr Alptraum oder unser gelöstes Problem?

Wenn kostenintensive Lizenzen, endlose Schulungssitzungen und träge, unzuverlässige Wiederherstellungen Ihre NAS NDMP Realität definieren, sind Sie nicht allein. Tauchen wir ein in die Herausforderungen der Datei-Wiederherstellung, die Speicheradministratoren plagen, und entfesseln die Kraft von Catalogic DPX als Ihren ultimativen Datenwiederherstellungshelden. Vergessen Sie Komplexität und Ausfallzeiten. DPX reduziert Kosten mit transparenter Preisgestaltung, vereinfacht Abläufe durch Automatisierung und liefert konstante Leistung mit einer benutzerfreundlichen Schnittstelle. Wir sprechen von effizienten Backups, solider Sicherheit und robustem Reporting – alles ohne die Bank zu sprengen. Also lassen Sie das Drama der Datenwiederherstellung hinter sich und erkunden Sie 11 Wege, wie Catalogic DPX Ihre Wiederherstellungsprobleme in Triumphe verwandelt.

  1. Komplexe Lizenzierungsmodelle:

    Einige Lösungen haben komplexe und verworrene Lizenzierungsmodelle, was es für Administratoren schwierig macht, Kosten effektiv zu verstehen und zu verwalten.

    Catalogic DPX vereinfacht die Lizenzierung mit transparenten und unkomplizierten Modellen, die es Administratoren ermöglichen, Kosten effektiv und einfach zu verwalten.

  2. Ungenügende Benutzeroberfläche:

    Schlecht gestaltete Benutzeroberflächen können die Effizienz von Administratoren beim Navigieren und Nutzen von Datei-Wiederherstellungsfunktionen behindern und so zu Verzögerungen bei der Datenwiederherstellung führen. Einige Oberflächen ohne Suchfunktionen machen die Datei-Wiederherstellungsfunktion praktisch nutzlos.

    Catalogic DPX bietet eine gut gestaltete Benutzeroberfläche, die die Effizienz von Administratoren beim Navigieren, Suchen und Nutzen von Dateiebenen-Wiederherstellungsfunktionen erhöht und ein reibungsloses Erlebnis sicherstellt.

  3. Verlängerte Ausfallzeiten:

    Die Komplexitäten und Ineffizienzen bei Datei-Wiederherstellungsprozessen tragen zu verlängerten Ausfallzeiten bei, was sich negativ auf Geschäftsbetrieb und Produktivität der Benutzer auswirkt.

    Catalogic DPX: Effiziente Datei-Wiederherstellungen in DPX tragen zu reduzierten Ausfallzeiten bei, die sich positiv auf Geschäftsbetrieb und Benutzerproduktivität auswirken.

  4. Erhöhtes Risiko von Datenverlust:

    Umständliche Verfahren und mögliche Fehler bei Datei-Wiederherstellungen erhöhen das Risiko von Datenverlust und stellen eine erhebliche Bedrohung für die kritischen Informationen der Organisation dar.

    Catalogic DPX: Die optimierten Prozesse in DPX minimieren das Risiko von Fehlern bei Datei-Wiederherstellungen, verbessern die Datenwiederherstellung und reduzieren die Bedrohung durch Datenverlust.

  5. Ressourcenüberlastung:

    Administratoren, die übermäßig viel Zeit mit manuellen Aufgaben und Fehlerbehebung bei Datei-Wiederherstellungsproblemen verbringen, lenken Ressourcen von anderen wichtigen IT-Verantwortlichkeiten ab.

    Catalogic DPX minimiert manuelle Aufgaben und Fehlerbehebungsaufwand, reduziert die Ressourcenbelastung und ermöglicht es Administratoren, sich auf wichtige IT-Verantwortlichkeiten zu konzentrieren.

  6. Höhere Gesamtbetriebskosten (TCO):

    Die Kombination aus hohen Lizenzkosten, Schulungsausgaben und erhöhten Ausfallzeiten führt zu höheren Gesamtbetriebskosten für bestehende Lösungen.

    Catalogic DPX: Mit wettbewerbsfähigen Preisen, optimierten Prozessen und reduzierten Ausfallzeiten trägt DPX zu niedrigeren Gesamtbetriebskosten im Vergleich zu bestehenden Lösungen bei.

  7. Negative Auswirkungen auf die Benutzererfahrung:

    Langsame Datei-Wiederherstellungsprozesse wirken sich negativ auf die Benutzererfahrung aus und führen zu Frustration bei Mitarbeitern und potenzieller Unzufriedenheit mit IT-Dienstleistungen.

    Catalogic DPX: Verbesserte Effizienz bei Datei-Wiederherstellungen wirkt sich positiv auf die Benutzererfahrung aus, reduziert die Frustration der Mitarbeiter und erhöht die Zufriedenheit mit IT-Dienstleistungen.

  8. Verpasste Wiederherstellungszeitziele (RTOs):

    Ineffiziente Datei-Wiederherstellungen können dazu führen, dass RTOs verpasst werden, was die Fähigkeit der Organisation beeinträchtigt, Wiederherstellungsverpflichtungen einzuhalten.

    Die optimierten Datei-Wiederherstellungsprozesse von Catalogic DPX tragen dazu bei, RTOs konsequent einzuhalten und rechtzeitig Wiederherstellungsverpflichtungen zu erfüllen.

  9. Verminderte IT-Agilität:

    Umständliche Prozesse und Einschränkungen in der Funktionalität von Datei-Wiederherstellungen behindern die IT-Agilität und erschweren eine schnelle Anpassung an sich ändernde Geschäftsanforderungen.

    Die optimierten Prozesse und verbesserte Funktionalität von Catalogic DPX in DPX fördern die IT-Agilität und ermöglichen es Organisationen, sich schnell an sich ändernde Geschäftsanforderungen anzupassen.

  10. Kompromittierte Datensicherheit:

    Verlängerte Ausfallzeiten und potenzieller Datenverlust aufgrund von Herausforderungen bei Datei-Wiederherstellungen gefährden die Gesamtsicherheit sensibler Informationen.

    Die zuverlässigen und effizienten Datei-Wiederherstellungsprozesse von Catalogic DPX tragen zur Aufrechterhaltung der Gesamtsicherheit sensibler Informationen während der Datenwiederherstellung bei.

  11. Hohe Kosten:

    Viele führende Softwarelösungen, die Datei-Wiederherstellung für NAS NDMP-Daten anbieten, sind mit hohen Lizenzkosten verbunden und somit finanziell belastend für Organisationen mit Budgetbeschränkungen.

    Catalogic DPX bietet wettbewerbsfähige Preise ohne Kompromisse bei robusten Funktionen und stellt so eine erschwingliche Option für Organisationen mit Budgetbeschränkungen dar. Erfahren Sie mehr über die DPX-Lösung von Catalogic, indem Sie hier klicken.

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02/05/2024 0 Comments

Ransomware Threats in 2024: SMB Cybersecurity

As we navigate through 2024, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are defending against an increasingly intricate and technical ransomware threat landscape. Gone are the days when human error was the primary vulnerability. Today, ransomware attacks have morphed into a sophisticated arsenal of tools that exploit technical vulnerabilities, shifting the cybersecurity battleground for SMBs. 

Ransomware in 2024: The Evolution of Cyberattacks 

Historically, human error was often the weakest link in cybersecurity, with social engineering tactics like phishing being the primary vector for ransomware attacks. Today, the cyber threat landscape has transformed.

Ransomware has evolved from a blunt instrument of data lockdown to a multifaceted threat that employs data theft, extortion, and Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) models to maximize its impact. The democratization of cybercrime through the RaaS model has led to a surge in ransomware attacks, particularly against small businesses.

These businesses, often lacking the robust security measures of larger enterprises, have become prime targets for ransomware gangs. With 66% of SMBs reporting that they had experienced ransomware attacks, the statistics from 2023 paint a somber picture. The consequences of such cyberattacks are severe, with many SMBs unable to operate during an attack and a significant number facing closure within months of an incident. 

Supply Chain Attacks: A Growing Cybersecurity Concern 

Supply chain attacks have become one of the most lucrative targets for cybercriminals, with attackers compromising third-party vendors to infiltrate multiple organizations simultaneously. These attacks target a trusted third-party vendor who offers services or software vital to the supply chain.

Software supply chains are particularly vulnerable because modern software involves many off-the-shelf components, such as third-party APIs, open source code, and proprietary code from software vendors. In 2023, 45% of organizations experienced at least one software supply chain attack. 

The Shift from Human Error to Technical Exploits 

 While tactics such as phishing and social engineering continue to pose threats, the cybersecurity landscape has seen a significant shift towards exploiting software vulnerabilities and insecure remote desktop protocols. Attackers are now harnessing zero-day vulnerabilities to orchestrate multi-extortion ransomware campaigns, compromising data from multiple organizations simultaneously. This transition from human error to technical exploits marks a new phase in cybersecurity, characterized by heightened attack sophistication and an increased need for robust technical defenses. 

Ransomware-as-a-Service: Ransomware Attack for Hire 

The RaaS model has revolutionized the cybercrime landscape, enabling even those with limited technical skills to launch ransomware attacks. This trend is expected to persist, escalating the volume and complexity of attacks that SMBs must defend against. With the rise of remote work and the use of mobile devices, new attack vectors have emerged.

Cybercriminals are likely to increasingly target mobile endpoints, exploiting the sensitive data they contain. This shift in the cybercrime landscape underscores the need for SMBs to adapt their cybersecurity strategies to counter these evolving threats. 

Mitigation and Defense Strategies for SMBs 

To counter these advanced threats, SMBs must adopt robust defense and mitigation strategies that go beyond basic cybersecurity hygiene: 

  • Enterprise Asset and Software Inventory: Maintain a comprehensive inventory to manage and protect assets effectively. 
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Implement MFA to add layers of security, particularly for remote access points. 
  • Regular Plan Review and Auditing: Continuously review and improve cybersecurity plans and policies, and conduct regular audits against industry baseline standards. 
  • Advanced Monitoring: Implement sophisticated monitoring systems to detect suspicious activities and potential breaches early. 
  • Data Backups and Restoration Testing: Regularly back up data and test restoration processes to ensure business continuity in the event of a ransomware attack. 
  • Investment in Advanced Protection Tools: Deploy tools like ransomware canaries, DNS filtering, and updated anti-malware software to detect and prevent ransomware activities. 

Looking Ahead: The Role of AI and Cloud Infrastructure 

As we progress through 2024, the role of generative AI in phishing campaigns and the exploitation of cloud and VPN infrastructures are predicted to be key areas of concern. Advanced web protection, vulnerability scanning, patch management, and sophisticated endpoint detection are essential.

As we consider these strategies, it’s worth introducing a powerful tool in the fight against ransomware: DPX GuardMode. This feature, part of Catalogic Software’s DPX suite, enhances ransomware protection by proactively monitoring file behavior, detecting encryption processes, and providing early alerts and guided recovery.

GuardMode lets you shift the cybersecurity approach from reactive to proactive, offering backup administrators a crucial layer of defense to minimize damage and ensure business continuity.

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02/02/2024 0 Comments

NDMP’s Backup & Restore – Top 11 Challenges

File-Level NAS NDMP Restores: Your Nightmare or Our Solved Problem? 

If budget-draining licenses, endless training sessions, and sluggish, unreliable restores define your NAS NDMP reality, you’re not alone. Let’s dive into the file-level restore challenges plaguing storage admins and unleash the power of Catalogic DPX as your ultimate data recovery hero. 

Forget complexity and downtime. DPX slashes costs with transparent pricing, simplifies workflows with automation, and delivers consistent performance with a user-friendly interface. We’re talking streamlined backups, rock-solid security, and robust reporting – all without breaking the bank.  

So, ditch the data recovery drama and explore 11 ways Catalogic DPX turns your restore woes into triumphs.  

  1. Complex Licensing Models:

    Some solutions have complex and convoluted licensing models, making it challenging for administrators to understand and manage costs effectively.
    Catalogic DPX simplifies licensing with transparent and straightforward models, enabling administrators to understand and manage costs effectively without confusion. 

  2. Inadequate User Interface:

    Poorly designed user interfaces can hinder administrators’ efficiency in navigating and utilizing file-level restore functions, leading to delays in data recovery.  Some interfaces’ absence of search capabilities renders the file-level restore function virtually useless.
    Catalogic DPX boasts a well-designed user interface that enhances administrators’ efficiency in navigating, searching and utilizing file-level restore functions, ensuring a smooth experience.

  3. Extended Downtime:

    The complexities and inefficiencies in file-level restore processes contribute to extended downtime, negatively impacting business operations and user productivity.
    Catalogic DPX: Efficient file-level restores in DPX contribute to reduced downtime, positively impacting business operations and user productivity. 

  4. Increased Risk of Data Loss:

    Cumbersome procedures and potential errors during file-level restores elevate the risk of data loss, posing a significant threat to the organization’s critical information.
    Catalogic DPX: The streamlined processes in DPX minimize the risk of errors during file-level restores, enhancing data recovery and reducing the threat of data loss. 

  5. Resource Overhead:

    Administrators spending excessive time on manual tasks and troubleshooting file-level restore issues diverts resources from other essential IT responsibilities.
    Catalogic DPX minimizes manual tasks and troubleshooting efforts, reducing resource overhead and allowing administrators to focus on essential IT responsibilities. 

    NDMP NAS Backup Demo

  6. Higher Total Cost of Ownership (TCO):

    The combination of high licensing costs, training expenses, and increased downtime contributes to a higher overall TCO for existing solutions.
    Catalogic DPX: With competitive pricing, streamlined processes, and reduced downtime, DPX contributes to a lower overall TCO than existing solutions. 

  7. Negative Impact on User Experience:

    Sluggish file-level restore processes negatively impact user experience, leading to employee frustration and potential dissatisfaction with IT services.
    Catalogic DPX: Enhanced efficiency in file-level restores positively impacts user experience, reducing employee frustration and enhancing satisfaction with IT services. 

  8. Missed Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs):

    Inefficient file-level restores can result in missing RTOs, impacting the organization’s ability to meet recovery commitments.
    Catalogic DPX’s optimized file-level restore processes contribute to meeting RTOs consistently, ensuring timely recovery commitments. 

  9. Reduced IT Agility:

    Cumbersome processes and limitations in file-level restore functionality hinder IT agility, making it challenging to adapt quickly to changing business requirements.
    Catalogic DPX’s streamlined processes and enhanced functionality in DPX promote IT agility, allowing organizations to adapt quickly to changing business requirements. 

  10. Compromised Data Security:

    Prolonged downtime and potential data loss due to file-level restore challenges compromise the overall security of sensitive information.
    Catalogic DPX’s reliable and efficient file-level restore processes contribute to maintaining the overall security of sensitive information during data recovery. 

  11. Limited Affordability:

    Many leading software solutions that offer file-level restore for NAS NDMP data come with high licensing costs, making them financially burdensome for organizations with budget constraints.
    Catalogic DPX offers competitive pricing without compromising on robust features, providing an affordable option for organizations with budget constraints. 

    NDMP NAS Backup Demo

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01/31/2024 0 Comments

Seizing Transformation in 2024: Masterfully Navigating VMware’s Licensing Evolution Post-Broadcom Acquisition

Broadcom’s Strategic Acquisition of VMware: Navigating the Evolving Technology Landscape 

Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware signifies a major shift in the tech industry, focusing on streamlined products, subscription models, revised pricing, and improved customer support. This strategy, emblematic of Broadcom’s adaptability, emphasizes flexibility in the changing market. CEO Hock Tan’s decision to divest VMware’s non-core units including EUC (end-user computing),  further aligns with this approach, prioritizing their core cloud services. 

From Perpetual to Subscription: A New Era for VMware 

Transitioning from traditional perpetual licenses to subscription models, Broadcom confronts customer and partner concerns regarding predictability and financial implications. To ease this transition, Broadcom is offering robust support and incentives, aligning with broader industry trends. However, this shift also raises questions about future pricing and support strategies, highlighting Broadcom’s strategy to establish predictable revenue streams through subscription licensing. 

Exploring Alternatives: Hyper-V, Nutanix, and Proxmox 

Amidst VMware‘s licensing model change, users are actively evaluating alternatives such as Hyper-V, Nutanix, and Proxmox. Hyper-V, a Windows-based hypervisor tightly integrated with Microsoft Azure Cloud, provides cost-effective and scalable solutions. Nutanix stands out for its hyperconverged infrastructure, offering ease of management and cloud-like capabilities. On the other hand, Proxmox VE, an open-source platform, is renowned for its scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency. 

Hyper-V is a Windows-based hypervisor that offers integration with Microsoft Azure Cloud. It is a cost-effective option, as it is a bare-metal hypervisor that does not require new hardware. Hyper-V also provides high availability and scalability.

Nutanix is a hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) platform that offers simplified management and cloud-like capabilities. It also provides financial incentives for migration, such as discounts on its software and hardware. Nutanix Cloud Clusters facilitate the migration of apps and workloads to the cloud without the need for re-architecting or replatforming.

Proxmox VE is an open-source hypervisor that provides scalability and flexibility. It can support up to 32 nodes and 16,000 virtual machines in a single cluster. Proxmox VE also offers licensing cost savings.

The choice of platform depends on the specific needs and existing infrastructure of the organization. Organizations that need tight integration with Microsoft Azure Cloud should consider Hyper-V. Organizations that want simplified management and cloud-like capabilities, and that are willing to pay for these features, should consider Nutanix. Organizations that need scalability and flexibility, and that are budget-conscious, should consider Proxmox VE.

Catalogic’s Role in Seamless Migration 

As a data protection leader with over 30 years of experience, Catalogic has helped numerous customers navigate the migration process. While there are various third-party and vendor-provided migration tools available, backup remains a critical step in ensuring data integrity and business continuity during the migration journey. Catalogic’s DPX solution offers a streamlined approach for VMware backup through its Agentless VMware Backup feature, eliminating the need for agent installation and management on individual virtual machines. For Microsoft Hyper-V environments, Catalogic provides both DPX Block and Agentless options, simplifying backup processes and minimizing impact on production systems. DPX vPlus, an agentless backup and snapshot-management solution, caters to virtual environments and cloud, enhancing backup performance and automation, enabling efficient recovery testing, and delivering significant resource, time, and cost savings. With its agentless design and ability to integrate into Nutanix clusters, DPX vPlus optimizes backup performance and seamlessly integrates with Nutanix’s Changed Region Tracking feature, ensuring comprehensive data protection throughout the migration process.

 

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12/21/2023 0 Comments

Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket – The 3-2-1 Backup Strategy Explained

Remember Luke Skywalker setting out to destroy the Death Star with only one set of its plans stored in a little droid’s head? Losing them would likely have doomed his mission to save the galaxy. Similarly, in our digital world, safeguarding data is crucial. The 3-2-1 backup strategy is a vital defense against data loss. This article gives a basic overview of the 3-2-1 backup rule as well as explains advanced tactics that may be used to make data even more secure.

This is what you will learn in the next few minutes:

  1. What is the 3-2-1 backup strategy?
  2. Why is the 3-2-1 rule essential for data protection? 
  3. How to implement the 3-2-1 backup method effectively? 
  4. The role of off-site backup in the 3-2-1 strategy 
  5. What is the 3-3-2-1-1 Rule, and how is it applied in its specific context?

What is a 3-2-1 Backup Strategy?

The 3-2-1 backup strategy is a foundational approach in data management and protection, widely advocated for its effectiveness in securing data against loss or corruption. The strategy’s name itself outlines its three core components: three copies of data, stored on two different forms of media, with one copy kept offsite.

The first component of the strategy involves creating three separate copies of your data. This means having the original set of data plus two backups. This triad of copies offers a robust safety net against data loss. For instance, if one backup fails or gets corrupted, there is still another backup available. The idea is to eliminate the single point of failure, which is a common risk in data storage and management.

The second and third components of the strategy focus on the method and location of storage. Storing data on two different types of media(e.g. Tape) or platforms reduces the risk of simultaneous loss due to a single type of failure. For example, you might have one copy on an internal hard drive and another on an external SSD or in cloud storage.

The last principle, keeping one backup offsite, is a guard against physical disasters like fire, flood, or theft that could destroy all local copies. Offsite storage can be as simple as a physical drive in a secure, remote location or as modern as cloud-based storage. This geographical diversification of data storage further solidifies the data protection strategy, making the 3-2-1 rule a gold standard in data backup and disaster recovery planning. You can request a demo of 3-2-1 Backup here.

A Sobering Picture Of Today’s Digital Landscape 

On top of that, the 3-2-1 backup strategy is crucial in defending against rising hacker attacks. According to the research, there were 470 publicly disclosed security incidents in November 2023, involving 519,111,354 compromised records. The 3-2-1 backup strategy can largely reduce the risk of total data loss from cyber threats like ransomware.

“2023 has unveiled a stark reality in the digital realm: a surge of hacking groups exploiting vulnerabilities to launch attacks across numerous industries. Cybercrime, in all of its many forms, is here to stay. Too many organizations are making too much money for them to ever die. As we all know, ransomware and vulnerability incidents exemplify the daily threats that organizations face, leading to significant operational and financial repercussions,” said Ken Barth, CEO of Catalogic Software. 

“These developments have made it clear that a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy is no longer optional but essential. As the market evolves, we are seeing more and more creativity as the attackers gain experience on how best to penetrate their targets,” he added. 

Piecing Together Your 3-2-1 Backup Strategy

The 3-2-1 backup strategy is widely regarded as a standard in the realm of information security and data preservation. While this method doesn’t completely eliminate the possibility of data compromise, it significantly reduces the risks associated with backup procedures.

Here’s how data recovery works under the 3-2-1 approach:

  1. If the primary (active) data is corrupted, damaged, or lost, the first step is to retrieve the data from an in-house backup stored on a different medium or secondary storage system.
  2. Should the second data copy be inaccessible or compromised, the focus shifts to the off-site backup, which is then restored to the internal servers.
  3. After successfully restoring data, it’s crucial to restart the 3-2-1 backup process immediately. This ensures continuous and effective protection of the data.

A Step Beyond the 3-2-1 Backup Strategy

The 3-2-1 backup strategy has proven effective over time as a data protection method. However, with the evolution of storage systems and services, certain aspects of this strategy may need adaptation to fulfill current data protection goals.

Managing the multiple data copies in a 3-2-1 backup framework can become complex, depending on the backup methods an organization employs within this strategy.

Moreover, many organizations find themselves customizing their backup policies further while still maintaining the core principles of the 3-2-1 strategy. This leads to a modified approach, often referred to as the 3-2-1-#-#-# rule.

Introducing Catalogic Software

Catalogic Software stands as a bastion in the realm of data protection and bare metal restoration. Functioning as a crucial layer in the cybersecurity ecosystem of their customers, Catalogic supplements existing endpoint solutions and feeds data into their SIEM systems. They recognize that data protection, including bare metal restoration capabilities, is a customer’s last line of defense against various causes of outages. 

With three decades of expertise in data protection, Catalogic is incessantly working to counteract escalating cyber threats. Our flagship product, DPX, delivers a secure data protection solution with instant recoverability to help ensure you can protect your backup data set from ransomware and recover data in an instant when you need it. With DPX, you have integrated ransomware protection.

  • Support for the 3-2-1-1 rule that provides a robust data protection solution with verified scheduled recoveries for automated recovery testing,
  • 3 copies of your data,
  • 2 copies stored on different storage media types,
  • 1 of the copies offsite or in the cloud(Azure, AWS, Wasabi, Backblaze B2, etc, you name it) on immutable media,
  • 1 copy verified as recoverable.

Catalogic’s Variation: the 3-3-2-1-1 Rule

The 3-3-2-1-1 data protection rule offers a comprehensive approach to safeguarding data. Firstly, it emphasizes maintaining at least three copies of your data. Unique to this strategy, three of these copies are pre-scanned by GuardMode, adding an extra layer of ransomware protection. GuardMode actively monitors for suspicious activity, promptly alerts users, and prevents ransomware from encrypting backups.

Additionally, it’s advisable to keep these copies on two different types of media, enhancing data security by diversifying storage formats. Storing at least one copy in an off-site location, preferably air-gapped, further secures the data against local disasters or network breaches.

Finally, the rule includes maintaining one verified copy, specifically for recovery purposes, ensuring data integrity and swift restoration in case of data loss. This approach effectively blends traditional backup strategies with advanced, proactive security measures.

Closing Thoughts

Data is invaluable, and the 3-2-1 backup strategy is a key defense against data loss from cyberattacks, natural disasters, or human error. As a fundamental step in establishing a solid data backup policy, Catalogic collaborates with organizations to tailor backup solutions, accommodating any number of backups, choice of media, and storage locations, whether on-premises or in the cloud.

May the backups be with you always!

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12/06/2023 0 Comments

Backup Upgrade: The Frequently Overlooked Must-Do in Software

A regular backup upgrade is crucial for cybersecurity. Yet, many overlook the importance of updating backup software. It’s a critical step. Why is it so vital? Backup software acts as your final safeguard against data loss and corruption. If cyber threats compromise your systems, robust backup software is key. It enables swift recovery. This minimizes the damage. Make sure to prioritize your backup software upgrade. It’s an essential defense in your digital environment.

8 Reasons to Prioritize Your Backup Software Upgrade

Upgrading backup software is paramount for organizations striving to enhance their cyber resilience. Upgrading backup software is of utmost importance for organizations aiming to improve their cyber resilience. This is because backup software plays a critical role in the overall data protection and recovery strategy of an organization. By upgrading their backup software, organizations can benefit from several key advantages:

1. Advanced Security Features.

Newer versions of backup software often come with improved security features, such as enhanced encryption algorithms, stronger authentication mechanisms, and better access controls. These features help protect backup data from unauthorized access and ensure its integrity.

For DPX users, features like GuardMode, vStor, and revamped user interfaces can bolster an organization’s ability to protect and recover data in the face of evolving cyber threats.  

2. Better Compatibility.

As technology evolves, older backup software may become incompatible with newer operating systems, hardware, and applications. Upgrading to the latest version ensures compatibility with the latest IT infrastructure, allowing organizations to seamlessly protect and recover their data.

3. Increased Performance.

Upgraded backup software often includes performance improvements like faster backup and recovery speeds, optimized resource utilization, and better handling of large data sets. These enhancements reduce downtime and improve overall operational efficiency.

4. Enhanced Automation and Integration.

Modern backup software offers increased automation capabilities and integration with other IT systems, enabling organizations to streamline their backup processes. Automation reduces the chances of human error, ensures regular backups, and simplifies disaster recovery workflows.

5. Advanced Recovery Options.

Upgraded backup software may introduce new recovery options, such as instant VM recovery, granular item-level recovery, and cross-platform recovery. These options grant organizations more flexibility and efficiency when restoring data after a cyber incident.

6. Better Data Management:

Upgraded backup software often includes advanced data management features like deduplication, compression, and tiered storage. These features help optimize storage utilization and reduce costs, making backup operations more efficient and cost-effective.

7. Compliance and Regulation

Many industries have specific data protection regulations that organizations must adhere to. Up-to-date backup software often includes features that help organizations meet these regulatory requirements, such as data retention policies, audit logs, and reporting capabilities.

8. Pro-Bono Upgrade Services

The availability of pro-bono upgrade services from software providers can be a game-changer. This offering not only ensures that organizations stay current with the latest security enhancements but also demonstrates a commitment to cybersecurity from the software vendor’s side, forging a stronger partnership in the battle against data breaches and cyberattacks. 

In conclusion, upgrading backup software ensures the security, compatibility, performance, automation, recovery options, data management, and compliance necessary to effectively protect data and withstand cyber threats.  Several key factors drive the urgency of this endeavor.  

Checking Compatibility Before Backup Upgrades

Assessing the compatibility of the latest backup software version with an organization’s existing infrastructure is a critical step in the decision-making process for upgrades. To ensure a seamless transition, several considerations come into play.  

The assurance of two-version backward compatibility provides peace of mind by ensuring that the new software can work with data from the current and previous two versions, safeguarding data integrity during the upgrade process.  

The choice between agent-based and agentless backups must align with the specific requirements and constraints of the infrastructure.  

Additionally, the availability of a compatibility matrix published by the software provider simplifies the evaluation process, offering a clear roadmap for compatibility checks.  

Furthermore, the ability to upgrade the master server independently, taking advantage of the latest feature sets, while scheduling upgrades for agent nodes at a later time, allows for a phased approach that minimizes disruptions.  

Lastly, the inclusion of an inventory and version report directly within the user interface streamlines the assessment, providing a real-time snapshot of compatibility and ensuring informed decisions that bolster the organization’s cyber resilience. 

Simplified Backup Management in New DPX Update

Usability Enhancements in DPX’s Latest Release

The latest version of DPX has brought several significant improvements from a usability standpoint, greatly enhancing day-to-day backup administration tasks.

One of the most noticeable enhancements has been the transition to a more user-friendly WebUI and simplified management interface. The latest DPX has made it much more intuitive and accessible, allowing administrators to efficiently manage their backup infrastructure with ease. 

GuardMode: Advancing Event Monitoring in DPX

Event monitoring has also seen remarkable improvements, particularly with the introduction of features like GuardMode. This cyber-resilient approach ensures that critical data remains vigilant even in the face of potential threats. The ability to monitor events in real-time and proactively respond to potential security breaches has become an integral part of backup administration, bolstering cybersecurity efforts. 

Transparent Reporting: SLA and Chargeback in DPX

SLA-based reporting and chargeback mechanisms have made tracking storage usage and data growth more transparent and actionable. Administrators can now generate reports that provide valuable insights into storage consumption trends, enabling better resource allocation and cost management. This level of visibility into the backup environment empowers organizations to optimize their backup strategies. 

Improved Security with DPX’s Role-Based Access Control

Furthermore, the latest DPX version has introduced improved role-based access control, allowing for more granular control over who can access and modify backup configurations. This feature enhances security and ensures that only authorized personnel can make critical changes, reducing the risk of accidental data loss or configuration errors. 

vStor Management: User Interface Improvements in DPX

The management of vStor, a key component of the backup infrastructure, has also seen notable enhancements in terms of its user interface (UI). The improved UI simplifies the process of managing storage resources, making it more efficient and user-friendly.

For DPX users, you can watch this YouTube video to check out “How to Migrate Your DPX Windows Master Server Seamlessly”.

Takeaway: Why Upgrading Your Backup Software is Essential

Upgrading your backup software should be a non-negotiable part of your cybersecurity strategy. It’s not just about staying current; it’s about ensuring your organization’s survival in the face of cyber threats. Here’s why:

  • Minimize Disruption: VM software-based solutions offer an easy upgrade path, often with little to no downtime, so you can continue to protect your data seamlessly.
  • Leverage New Features: With DPX’s GuardMode, vStor, and improved interfaces, you’re better equipped to fend off and recover from cyber incidents.
  • Benefit from Free Services: Many providers, like those of DPX, offer pro-bono upgrades, highlighting their commitment to your cybersecurity and offering a partnership in defense against data breaches.
  • Ensure Compatibility: Always check that new backup software aligns with your existing systems to guarantee a smooth transition and maintain data integrity.
  • Enhanced Usability: The new DPX version’s user-friendly interface and management features simplify backup administration, allowing you to manage backups more effectively and securely.

Remember, neglecting your backup software upgrades is a risk you can’t afford. Stay ahead of the curve and ensure your last line of defense is as strong as it can be.

Need help with your backup upgrade?
Reach out: info@catalogicsoftware.com

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11/07/2023 0 Comments

Elevating SAP HANA Backup: Safeguarding Your Business’s Backbone

Introduction

In the ever-evolving realm of business, SAP HANA stands as an indispensable cornerstone for myriad organizations, delivering potent database and data management capabilities. Ensuring the impregnability of your SAP HANA data through a regime of unwavering backups transcends mere good practice—it is a calculated strategic imperative.

The Necessity of Backup SAP HANA Data

Whether orchestrating On Premise SAP HANA systems or harnessing the dynamic potential of SAP HANA Cloud, the rationale behind data backup resonates profoundly:
1. Data Fortification and Rapid Recovery: The practice of regular backups provides a resilient safety net, ensuring the swiftest recovery from the depths of data loss, system glitches, or unexpected calamities. SAP HANA Cloud’s automated backups, attaining a Recovery Point Objective (RPO) as brisk as 15 minutes, adds an indispensable layer of data resilience.
2. Mitigation of Inherent Risks: Backups stand as the vanguard against potential menaces—ranging from data corruption and hardware hiccups to inadvertent deletions.
3. Conformance to Stringent Regulations: In a realm of stringent industry mandates, where data retention and shielded preservation are pivotal, regular backups stand as the sentinel ensuring compliance.
4. Adaptive Recovery Possibilities: SAP HANA backups offer a spectrum of adaptable data restoration timelines, aligning seamlessly with varying recovery requisites.
5. Sustaining Consistency and Wholeness: For denizens of the SAP HANA Cloud, automated backups perpetuate the most recent database integrity, guaranteeing data’s untarnished sanctity.
6. Mitigating Downtime Significantly: An adeptly executed backup strategy truncates downtime during system maintenance and unforeseen operational disruptions.
7. Synergy Across Hybrid Environments: Solutions synonymous with uniform data guardianship, spanning on-premises locales and cloud expanse, etch the epitome of uninterrupted operations.
8. Augmented Cloud Synthesis: Selective backup solutions offer the avant-garde capability of directly funneling backups to cloud terrains, elevating disaster recovery prospects.
9. Intrinsic Log and Data Backups: The SAP HANA Cloud landscape is marked by daily comprehensive data backups coupled with log data backups conducted at 15-minute intervals—a harmonious synergy for curbing data loss.
10. Economical and Uninterrupted Availability: SAP HANA Cloud’s inclusions encompass backup storage sans supplementary overheads, ensconcing data protection with an uninterrupted cadence.

Catalogic DPX: Your Solution for SAP HANA Backup

Catalogic DPX integrates with the SAP backint interfaces of SAP HANA to provide complete protection of the SAP HANA Data and Databases using native SAP HANA applications and tools.

Native Integration

SAP HANA administrators use SAP Tools every day to manage the databases and data protection as a critical part of these activities. Therefore, DPX has tightly integrated with the SAP native tools like SAP HANA Cockpit and Studio that Database administrators can easily start and schedule DPX SAP HANA Backups without having to access the DPX Management Console.

Point in time Recovery

DPX delivers point in time recovery of databases by levering the database andlog backups. By rolling forward logs on top of the backup data, DPX allows administrators to easily pick a specific point in time to recover the databases to. This allows our customers to pick up from where they left before the disaster struck.

Choose your destination – Disk, Tape, or Cloud

Disk, Tape or Cloud: DPX provides the ability to write SAP HANA backups to the destination of your choice: vStor (next generation storage agnostic backup repository built using modern open-source components and micro-services), Tape or the Cloud.

Highlights of Catalogic DPX for SAP HANA Backup:

  • Seamless Integration: Catalogic DPX allows for a smooth integration with SAP HANA, letting you maintain existing backup strategies through SAP HANA Studio. DPX is also one of the “backint for SAP HANA”
  • Optimal Performance: The use of Catalogic DPX minimizes impacts on performance, ensuring efficient backups without hindering system operations.
  • Monitoring and Management: The Catalogic DPX Master Server UI serves as a centralized hub for monitoring backup or restoration endeavors, providing users with real-time insights.
  • Hybrid Landscape Support: Catalogic DPX ensures uniform data protection across both on-premise and cloud setups, making it a versatile solution for varied organizational needs.
  • Ease of Installation: The Catalogic DPX Plug-in for SAP HANA can be effortlessly installed and configured, ensuring a hassle-free setup process.

Emboldening SAP HANA Data Security

Securing your SAP HANA data is a top priority. Regularly backing up your data not only keeps it safe but also helps you meet regulatory requirements and ensures that your business operations can continue without data loss. Catalogic DPX provides seamless integration, vigilant monitoring, and unwavering support for your SAP HANA data protection. With SAP HANA at the forefront, Catalogic DPX steps up as your safeguard, keeping your precious data secure.

Ready to embark on the journey of reinforcing your SAP HANA data? Click here to request a Catalogic DPX demo or reach out to us with any questions. Your secure data’s protection is just a step away.

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08/25/2023 0 Comments

Pros and Cons of Backup vs. High Availability for Secure Data Protection

Introduction 

In today’s digital landscape, secure data protection is paramount for businesses. When considering data protection strategies, two key solutions come to the forefront: backup and High Availability (HA). While both play critical roles, understanding their pros and cons is essential for making informed decisions. In this article, we will explore the benefits of backup and HA, as well as their limitations, to help businesses prioritize their data protection needs effectively. 

Backup and HA are both crucial components of a comprehensive secure data protection strategy, although they serve different purposes and cater to different Recovery Point Objectives (RPO) and Recovery Time Objectives (RTO). 

Backup plays a vital role in secure data protection by creating copies of data and storing them separately from the primary system. It acts as a safety net, allowing businesses to restore data in the event of data loss, corruption, or system failures. Backups are typically performed at regular intervals, capturing the state of the data at a specific point in time. This makes them particularly useful for recovering from incidents that occurred in the past, such as accidental deletions or data corruption that may go unnoticed for some time. Backup solutions often offer features like data deduplication, encryption, and retention policies, ensuring data integrity and long-term storage.

Pros of Backup 

  1. Data Recovery: Data protection solutions provide a reliable means to recover data in case of loss or corruption caused by hardware failure, accidental deletion, or malicious attacks. This ensures critical data can be restored, ensuring smooth business operations. 
  2. Historical Data: Backups often retain multiple versions of data, enabling businesses to access previous states and restore specific versions when needed. This feature is valuable for recovering from errors, retrieving older data, or meeting compliance requirements. 
  3. Cost-effectiveness: Implementing the solutions is generally more cost-effective compared to high availability systems, as they do not require redundant hardware. Businesses have the flexibility to choose backup strategies that align with their budget while ensuring data protection. 
  4. Ransomware Detection and Warning (DPX-specific): DPX offers advanced features like GuardMode, providing real-time detection and warnings for ransomware attacks. This proactive defense mechanism adds an extra layer of security to backups, safeguarding against evolving cyber threats. 
  5. Data Archiving: Backup solutions often include data archiving capabilities, allowing organizations to retain data for long-term storage or regulatory compliance purposes. Archiving ensures data integrity and accessibility over extended periods. 
  6. Flexible Backup Media and Recovery Goals: Backup solutions offer the flexibility to utilize various media types, such as disk, tape, and cloud, enabling organizations to tailor their backup strategies to meet specific Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs). Disk backups allow for rapid recovery, making them ideal for critical data with strict RTOs. Tape offers cost-effective, long-term storage for data with more lenient recovery timelines, while cloud backups provide scalable and accessible off-site storage for enhanced disaster recovery. This adaptability ensures organizations can efficiently meet their operational and risk management needs, optimizing data recovery processes and maintaining business continuity with precision.

Cons of Backup 

  1. Recovery Time: Restoring data from backups can take time, especially for large datasets. The recovery process may involve retrieving data from off-site locations or transferring it over a network, potentially leading to system downtime during the recovery period. 
  2. Storage Space: Backups require significant storage space, especially when multiple versions of data are retained. Managing and scaling storage infrastructure to accommodate growing backup needs can be challenging and costly. 

High Availability, on the other hand, focuses on minimizing system downtime and ensuring continuous access to critical services. It involves deploying redundant systems, such as failover clusters or load-balanced servers, which are capable of taking over seamlessly in case of a primary system failure. High Availability solutions are designed to achieve near-zero downtime, allowing businesses to maintain continuous operations and minimize the impact of disruptions. They are typically built with redundancy, fault-tolerance, and failover mechanisms, ensuring that any system failure or maintenance activities can be handled without significant interruptions. 

Pros of High Availability 

  1. Minimized Downtime: High availability systems are designed to minimize or eliminate downtime by quickly switching to a redundant system in case of primary system failure. This ensures continuous availability of critical services, reducing the impact of disruptions. 
  2. Business Resilience: High availability systems contribute to overall business resilience by enabling seamless continuity of operations, even in the face of failures or disruptions. This resilience helps maintain customer satisfaction, brand reputation, and revenue streams. 
  3. Scalability and Performance: High availability systems are often built on scalable architectures that can handle increasing workloads and user demands. They provide robust performance capabilities to support business growth and handle peak loads effectively. 

Cons of High Availability 

  1. Cost: High availability systems can be costly to implement and maintain due to the requirement for redundant hardware and complex configurations. Investment in hardware, licensing, and specialized expertise may pose budgetary challenges for some businesses. 
  2. Complexity: Setting up and managing high availability systems can be complex, requiring specialized knowledge and skills. Proper configuration, continuous monitoring, and proactive maintenance are necessary to ensure optimal system performance. 
  3. Not a Substitute for Backup: While high availability systems protect against downtime, they do not replace the need for backup solutions. Data loss due to accidental deletion, corruption, or cyber-attacks can still occur, necessitating a comprehensive backup strategy. 
  4. Limited Data Copies: High availability systems typically maintain a limited number of redundant data copies. If all the copies are compromised or subject to the same failure, there is still a risk of data loss. Backup solutions with multiple copies and off-site storage provide an additional layer of protection. 
  5. Resource Utilization: High availability systems require additional hardware and resources to maintain redundancy, which can impact overall system performance. Organizations must carefully consider resource allocation and capacity planning to ensure smooth operations. 

Choice between Backup and HA

The choice between backup and High Availability(HA) depends on the specific RPO and RTO requirements of a business. RPO refers to the acceptable amount of data loss, while RTO represents the desired time it takes to recover from an incident. If a business has stringent RPO and RTO objectives, requiring minimal data loss and near-instantaneous recovery, a HA solution would be more suitable. HA systems offer rapid failover and continuous operations, ensuring minimal downtime and immediate access to services. 

However, for organizations with more flexible RPO and RTO requirements, backup solutions provide a cost-effective approach. Backups allow for more granular recovery options and the ability to restore data from various points in time, enabling businesses to recover from different types of incidents. Backup solutions are also advantageous for long-term data retention, compliance purposes, and safeguarding against scenarios where system-wide failures or simultaneous data corruption occur. 

Conclusion 

When it comes to secure data protection, businesses must evaluate the advantages and limitations of backup and HA solutions. Backup solutions offer data recovery, historical data retention, cost-effectiveness, ransomware detection (like DPX GuardMode), and data archiving. However, they may involve recovery time and require significant storage space. On the other hand, HA minimizes downtime, ensures business resilience, offers scalability and performance benefits. However, it can be costly, complex to manage, not a substitute for backups, maintain limited data copies, and require careful resource utilization. 

To create a comprehensive data protection strategy, businesses should consider integrating both backup and HA solutions, tailoring them to their specific needs and priorities. This approach ensures a multi-layered defense against both system failures and data loss, enabling business continuity, mitigating risks, and safeguarding valuable data assets. 

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07/14/2023 0 Comments

DPX Extends Support for Micro Focus Open Enterprise Server 2023

In the ever-evolving landscape of data protection and enterprise server management, Catalogic DPX continues to pave the way with its advanced features and broad compatibility. With the recent release of Open Enterprise Server (OES) 2023, DPX takes it a step further by integrating seamlessly with this cutting-edge platform. In this blog, we explore how Catalogic DPX provides Micro Focus OES backups, granular OES file restore capabilities and OES ransomware protection while also highlighting its newfound compatibility with OES 2023.

Granular File Restore for Micro Focus OES Backups

Unlike many other backup providers, like Unitrends, who have distanced themselves from OES by removing support for granular OES backups, Catalogic DPX offers an advanced solution for organizations utilizing Micro Focus OES by providing granular file restore capabilities. With this feature, users can easily recover individual files and folders from their backups, eliminating the need for a full system restore. Whether it’s a critical document or a lost file, DPX empowers users with the ability to swiftly restore specific items, ensuring minimal downtime and maximum productivity.

Ransomware Protection with Catalogic DPX

This should come as no surprise to anyone, but ransomware attacks continue to pose a significant threat to organizations’ data integrity and operational continuity. To combat this menace, DPX incorporates robust ransomware protection measures including snapshot immutability, air-gapped backup destinations, and most recently, proactive ransomware scanning through GuardMode. Through these measures, DPX ensures that not only are backups protected from malicious encryption attempts, but also that data in production is not compromised before the data is snapshotted and moved to vStor. This way, in the event of a ransomware incident, organizations can confidently rely on DPX to restore clean, uninfected copies of their data, effectively thwarting the attackers’ objectives.

Integration with OES 2023

In addition to its existing capabilities, Catalogic DPX now extends its support to OES 2023. This integration opens up new avenues for organizations to leverage Catalogic’s advanced features while enjoying the benefits of the latest Micro Focus platform. With DPX seamlessly integrated with OES 2023, organizations can confidently protect their data, restore files at a granular level, and fortify their backups against ransomware threats.

Efficient Backup and Recovery Workflow

Catalogic DPX simplifies the backup and recovery process for Micro Focus OES environments. Administrators can easily configure backup policies, automate backup schedules, and monitor job statuses through a user-friendly interface. Catalogic DPX optimizes the backup workflow, minimizing the impact on system resources and ensuring efficient data protection.

By utilizing DPX’s support for OES 2023 backups, organizations can also enhance data availability and strengthen their business continuity strategies. The seamless integration ensures that critical data on Micro Focus OES is effectively protected and readily recoverable, minimizing potential downtime and enabling uninterrupted operations.

Catalogic DPX for OES 2023

Catalogic DPX brings granular file restore capabilities and ransomware protection to Micro Focus OES backups, empowering organizations to safeguard their data effectively. With the recent integration of DPX with OES 2023, organizations can further leverage its advanced features and extend their data protection capabilities. Whether it’s recovering individual files or fortifying backups against ransomware threats, Catalogic DPX offers a comprehensive solution for Micro Focus OES environments, now enhanced by its compatibility with OES 2023.

Additional Information

If you would like to learn more, please contact us or request a demo.  For additional reading on DPX support of OES, please see:

 

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05/11/2023 0 Comments

How To Use Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage for DPX vPlus Backup Storage

DPX vPlus is an enterprise-ready, agentless backup and snapshot management solution for Microsoft 365 and virtual environments. It allows you to reliably improve and automate backup performance, automate recovery tests, and significantly save resources, time, and money. Microsoft 365 backups and virtual machines backups can be stored on-premises, on a local file system or share, or can be stored in the cloud using cloud storage. Wasabi backup storage delivers fast to write, low cost, and reliable cloud object storage, that also provides faster speeds than Amazon S3. Wasabi backup storage charges no egress fees, and provides 100% data immutability, so you can be confident that your backup data is tamper-proof. 

This article provides the steps to use Wasabi cloud storage as DPX vPlus backup storage.  

Configuration Pre-Requisites 

  • DPX vPlus version 5.0 or higher 
  • Active Wasabi account with access to Wasabi console

Reference Architecture Diagram 

Wasabi Configuration 

1. Login to Wasabi console and Click on “Create Bucket” to create a new standard bucket. Please refer to Creating a Wasabi bucket for information to create a bucket. 

2. Create an Access key and Secret key for the root user. Make sure to download the key file in order to retrieve your secret key again. 

DPX vPlus Configuration

Follow the below steps to configure DPX vPlus to use Wasabi backup storage: 

1. Log in to the DPX vPlus web UI 

2. Navigate to the Backup Destinations Tab -> Object Storage. Then click on “Create Backup Destination” and select “Amazon S3 / S3-compatible.”

3. In the Create Backup Destination window, input the name for your backup destination and choose the node configurations as needed.

4. In Amazon S3 / S3-Compatible Settings, provide the information about your bucket 

Make sure the flags “Path style access enabled” and “Parallel Download enabled” are enabled. 

5. Input the Access key and Secret key and then click “Save” to save the configuration. 

6. Test the connectivity by selecting the Wasabi destination and clicking “Test Connectivity.

7. The results can be viewed in the Task Console.

8. Click on Virtual Environments and then Backup SLA’s to create a Backup SLA and protect your Virtual Environments, Containers, Microsoft 365 and Applications using Wasabi backup storage. Configure the settings under “General” tab.  

9. Configure Settings under the Rule tab. Select the Wasabi cloud storage as the destination, define the retention settings, and assign the policy to a schedule. If you have not yet created a schedule, you can assign this policy to a schedule at a later time.

10. If you do not assign the policy to Virtual Machines during creation or want to assign new VMs to an existing Backup Policy, you can do so by clicking on “Virtual Environments” and then “instances.” Select the instance and click “Assign policy” and then select the policy created in step 4.8 above. Click “Save” to save the policy assignment. 

11. Start a backup by selecting the instance and clicking the backup icon.

12. The progress of the backup can be viewed on the task console. 

For any support or setup questions, please get in touch with Catalogic Technical Support at dpsupport@catalogicsoftware.com.

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04/28/2023 0 Comments