Network Appliance Shifts Data Protection Paradigm With SnapVault Software

Business Wire, Feb 18, 2003

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 18, 2003

Heterogeneous Disk-to-Disk Backup/Recovery Solution Brings

Simplicity and Reliability to Enterprise Customers

Network Appliance (Nasdaq:NTAP) today announced new enhancements to its SnapVault(TM) software, strengthening the company's lead in disk-to-disk data protection solutions and continuing to make backup and recovery faster, simpler and more economical than before. SnapVault now supports disk-to-disk backups from a variety of third-party as well as NetApp(R) storage platforms to a NearStore(TM) system, allowing for easy integration within a customer's existing infrastructure. SnapVault provides customers with a powerful, cost-effective, and flexible new option for backup/restore and replication designed to leverage legacy storage investments, protect enterprise data assets, maintain business continuity, and reduce IT cost.

Network Appliance is working closely with leading backup partners to broaden the reach of SnapVault in their heterogeneous storage environments. Initial partners who have announced support for SnapVault include Atempo, BakBone, CommVault, Computer Associates, LEGATO Systems, Reliaty, Syncsort, and VERITAS.

Most importantly, SnapVault now enables companies to change the way they currently back up and protect business data. In traditional backup scenarios, all data from a point in time is periodically transferred and saved to a different storage medium, usually tape. The backup and restore process is labor- and time-intensive, with customers incurring significant tape media and administration costs. Network Appliance is changing this process. With SnapVault and NearStore R150, this process is automated quickly and efficiently. By simplifying the process, only data blocks that have changed need to be transferred and stored, reducing the administration and cost overhead, and reducing the IT infrastructure burden -- all in a heterogeneous (multivendor) storage and compute environment.

"JPL has a tremendous and growing need for robust enterprise storage that is easy to deploy and manage, flexible, and incredibly powerful," said Joseph Bishop, database systems engineer at Jet Propulsion Laboratory. "An increasing part of our storage need is disk-based solutions that provide enhanced backup and restore capabilities. We already rely on Network Appliance for many parts of our backup/restore infrastructure, and early looks at NetApp's new SnapVault and SnapRestore solutions confirm our belief that Network Appliance continues to lead the industry with the world's most advanced backup/restore solutions."

"Network Appliance recognizes that traditional tape-based solutions are not the total answer for backup and recovery; customers need open, flexible data protection solutions deployed strategically throughout their businesses," said Mark Santora, senior vice president of marketing at Network Appliance. "SnapVault has been created to address those shortcomings and helps us tackle customers' requirements for fully integrated backup/restore solutions that minimize overhead without sacrificing management and simplicity. By working with other backup/restore leaders, we are able to deliver advanced enterprise solutions that address and anticipate critical customer needs around data availability and business continuity."

For more information on SnapVault visit www.netapp.com.

About Network Appliance

Network Appliance is a world leader in unified storage solutions for today's data-intensive enterprise. Since its inception in 1992, Network Appliance has delivered technology, product, and partner firsts that continue to drive the evolution of storage. Information about Network Appliance(TM) solutions and services is available at www.netapp.com.

Editorial Addendum: Partner Quotes

Partners

Atempo

"Atempo supports Network Appliance's SnapVault initiative to provide complete and seamless disk-to-disk-to-tape solutions for our customers," said Philippe Boyon, vice president of marketing at Atempo. "Atempo and Network Appliance are committed to delivering best-in-class backup and recovery solutions that are easy to deploy and manage, as well as simple to integrate into existing storage environments."

BakBone

"SnapVault technology extends Network Appliance's position as a leader in the disk-to-disk backup segment," said Randy Batterson, vice president of strategic alliances, BakBone Software. "BakBone Software is a pioneer in support of disk-to-disk backup and this winning combination of NetVault and SnapVault provides customers the lowest total cost of ownership when it comes to disk-based backup."

CommVault

"CommVault Systems recognizes that customers need open, flexible data protection solutions deployed strategically throughout their businesses," said Dave West, vice president of business development at CommVault Systems. "Our support of SnapVault is yet another example of how together with Network Appliance, we are working closely to deliver advanced, complementary solutions that make data protection far simpler and more robust than before -- and all at an attractive price point."