| Q1. |
Does the HP StorageWorks D2D Backup System completely replace my current tape-based data protection solution? |
| A1. |
The HP StorageWorks D2D Backup System is an excellent solution for daily backup in small business environments. It does not, however, provide for disaster recovery in case of theft, fire, flood, or other site-wide catastrophes. Tape provides the ability to move the backup media offsite for secure offline storage away from the primary IT systems. HP recommends that the D2D Backup System be used in conjunction with tape to get the benefits of disk-based daily backup with the extra level of protection afforded by a regularly scheduled full backup to tape. |
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| Q2. |
How do I migrate data from the HP StorageWorks D2D Backup System to physical tape? |
| A2. |
Data can be migrated from the HP StorageWorks D2D Backup System to physical tape in several ways. If the tape device is attached to a server on the network, you can use your backup application's tape-to-tape copy (or media copy) function to copy the cartridge on the D2D Backup System to a physical cartridge. If there is a tape drive attached directly to the D2D Backup System, you can either use the System's management software to copy a 'virtual' cartridge from disk to a physical tape without the backup application's knowledge, which leaves the data on the D2D Backup System intact. Alternatively, you can use your backup application to export a cartridge from the D2D Backup System into the emulated mail slot. This removes the cartridge and its data from the D2D Backup System. The cartridge in the mail slot is then copied to physical tape using the D2D Backup System's management interface. The advantage of using a tape drive that is directly attached to the D2D Backup System is that the copy to tape process, whether a direct copy or an export copy, has no impact on the performance of the network or the servers. |
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| Q3. |
Is the HP StorageWorks D2D Backup System a virtual tape device? |
| A3. |
Yes. The HP D2D StorageWorks Backup System emulates HP LTO-2 tape drives and LTO-based 1/8 Ultrium autoloaders, so the backup application treats it exactly as it would a physical tape device. That’s why the data is copied from the HP D2D Backup System to physical tape using a tape-to-tape copy process. |
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| Q4. |
How does my backup software vendor license the HP StorageWorks D2D Backup System? |
| A4. |
Backup software vendors handle licensing differently. Some vendors have chosen to license on a “per TB” basis, while others license as if the virtual devices were real. For details, contact your backup software vendor. |
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| Q5. |
Does the HP StorageWorks D2D Backup System emulate non-HP devices? |
| A5. |
No. The HP StorageWorks D2D Backup System emulates the popular HP 1/8 autoloader and HP LTO-2 and LTO-3 tape drives, and these HP tape devices are supported by all major backup software applications. |
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| Q6. |
How does the HP StorageWorks D2D Backup System differ from the VLS1000i? |
| A6. |
The VLS1000i is designed for medium businesses and remote offices of larger businesses that need to protect up to 12 servers. It ships with a useable capacity of 1.5TB, which can effectively become 3TB using integrated, software-based data compression. The VLS1000i also features hardware-based RAID 5 data protection and hot-swap hard drives in a small footprint 1U rack-mount form factor. The HP D2D Backup System is designed and priced for smaller organizations that need to back up no more than 6 servers. It features a useable capacity of 1.5TB to 2.25TB, depending on which model is selected, with software-based RAID 5 data protection in a tower form factor. |
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| Q7. |
Is the HP StorageWorks D2D Backup System compatible with the Symantec Backup Exec software application? |
| A7. |
Yes. However, Backup Exec version 10.d does not support iSCSI network devices using the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator software driver. The HP StorageWorks D2D Backup System uses the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator software driver to negotiate with systems connected to the LAN. Therefore, HP D2D Backup System customers using Backup Exec version 10.d must install an iSCSI host bus adapter in each target system on the LAN for proper usage. Please refer to the HP D2D Backup System QuickSpecs or compatibility website (www.hp.com/go/connect) for a list of compatible iSCSI host bus adapters. To avoid this installation step, HP recommends that customers purchase and install Symantec Backup Exec version 11.d or HP StorageWorks Data Protector Express version 3.1 (also available with select HP D2D Backup System models), both of which provide integrated support for the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator software driver. |
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| Q8. |
Can I upgrade my current D2D110 or D2D120 Backup System to support more than 4 virtual devices (and backup more than 4 servers)? |
| A8. |
Yes. A firmware upgrades is now available for customers who have previously purchased a D2D110 or D2D120 Backup System that allows them to upgrade their current systems to support up to six virtual LTO tape drives or autoloaders. The firmware upgrade also enhances system performance, provides support for virtual LTO-3 tape devices, and allows the user to upgrade their virtual cartridge capacity from 400GB to 800GB per cartridge. Firmware upgrades can be accessed by using the system interface on the D2D Backup System or by manually downloading the firmware from HP.com. |
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