Below is a collection of information about organizing backup processes that may be useful for system administrators: core concepts, different types of technologies, guides, practical recommendations, and links to applications that can be downloaded for further exploration.
We included solutions of various classes — from simple standalone programs to complex information systems that operate across distributed infrastructures managed from a single center. If you have any questions, you can always contact our specialist.
Backup
Backup is one of the most popular and reliable methods of protecting data. It is based on creating copies of important information, applications with their settings, and system updates. Folders and files (with their structure preserved), software systems, and databases can be copied to an independent storage device.
Backup copies are used in case of virus attacks, technical failures, or accidental data loss. Backups may be performed manually or automatically according to a predefined schedule.
Data Storage
Since information in any system is constantly updated, it is essential to maintain an up-to-date, complete backup. To achieve this, either scheduled backups or continuous replication is used. The system must transmit data securely to prevent leaks and ensure safe storage across connected backup copies.
Data Recovery
Safe backup and proper recovery require specialized software. Such tools help find and restore individual files or entire systems in a chosen location, regardless of the operating system used.
Veritas Backup Exec
Backup Exec by Veritas has been well known on the market for years. The developer regularly updates the system, improves its capabilities, and adds new features. Today, version 20 is available — a clear sign of consistent product development.
Key Features of Backup Exec:
• Support for any storage media — physical or virtual
• Integration with major cloud services
• Data deduplication options, virtual machine backup, and fast VM recovery
Granular Instant Recovery allows restoring the full functionality of machines supporting vSphere 2016 within seconds. The system also includes fast, easy integration with popular business systems and database platforms.
Veritas Backup Exec offers three types of licenses: Bronze (for small and medium businesses), Silver, and Gold (enterprise-grade solutions).
The system also supports scalable expansion in 1 TB increments — the final price depends on the amount of resources your company needs.
Veeam Backup Essentials
Veeam is known for one of the most functional solutions on the market, and its popularity continues to grow.
The package includes two key tools:
• Veeam Backup & Replication
Used to create backups and perform replications — synchronizing the contents of multiple instances of the same object. It works efficiently with virtual machines, applications, and software systems, restoring them quickly after failures.
The tool allows rolling back replicas, switching between them in case of VM failure, and restoring services back to normal infrastructure afterward.
• Veeam ONE
A monitoring and reporting tool designed for VMware vSphere and Microsoft Hyper-V environments.
It detects potential issues in servers and cloud resources before they affect users, helping specialists prevent downtime and avoid the need for large-scale recovery.
Additionally, Veeam Backup Essentials includes all traditional backup options and automated restore capabilities.
The software supports a wide range of business applications, database systems, and 19 popular file systems. It also features a user-friendly portal that enables one-click data recovery. Authorized users can restore their own data without involving administrators.
VMware
VMware virtual machines are flagship products in virtualization, so they deserve special attention.
There are two backup methods:
• Traditional method — using an installed agent
• Agentless method — where VCenter or ESXi interacts directly with dedicated software
Whenever possible, administrators should avoid guest OS agents. In a fully virtualized environment, the guest OS won’t detect backup operations and may waste host resources unnecessarily.
In agentless scenarios, a virtual disk is mounted directly from the datastore. VMware provides special API interfaces for this purpose. One such example is VMware vStorage API for Data Protection (VADP).
VADP allows efficient access to files on a virtual disk and supports a wide set of advanced backup methods that outperform traditional physical backup technologies.
