User manual QUANTUM NDMP PRIMER

[. . . ] Network Data Management Protocol Primer White Paper A discussion of the technology that standardizes network backup in the enterprise May17, 2000 Tel: 949-856-7800 Tel: 800-248-5101 Fax: 949-856-7799 NDMP Primer White Paper Introduction The common goal of enterprise storage management systems is to provide centrally managed enterprise-wide data protection for users in a heterogeneous environment. For the enterprise, the ability to backup and restore data is as obligatory as a dial tone. Unfortunately, the heterogeneous nature of the network storage environment requires backup solutions to comply with a myriad of operating system platforms and media devices. This daunting task is one of the driving forces behind the Network Data Management Protocol (NDMP), a scalable solution that defines a common architecture for backing up data located on heterogeneous file servers in the enterprise. [. . . ] It maintains the status and media inventory, making sure cartridges are in the correct slots or drives and are available when needed. The Application Manager sends its control commands across the network to the Network Appliance filers that route the commands appropriately. The filers also receive information from the storage array and forward it to the Application Manager. UNIX Server Ethernet ATL NT Server GbE Backbone NetApp 760 P3000 Cisco Switch NetApp 740 qqq qqq LAN Figure 4: Quantum|ATL's Revolutionary NDMP Operated Tape Library Figure 4 illustrates Quantum|ATL's second NDMP initiative. This new technology was announced at Networld+Interop in Las Vegas on May 10, 2000 with participation from Network Appliance, Cisco SystemsTM, Foundry NetworksTM, VERITAS® and Legato®. The Quantum|ATL P3000 enterprise library (or any other library incorporating Quantum|ATL's Prism Storage ArchitectureTM) is directly addressable as a NDMP storage unit. Network Appliance filers can send data via their native "dump" command to the library at high speed over Ethernet (100 baseT or Gigabit Ethernet) upon being commanded to do so via NDMP. Based on the maturity and interoperability of Ethernet. 8 Confidential Information The information contained in this document represents Quantum|ATL's best understanding of the features and prices of any competitive products mentioned in this document at the time of publication. Quantum|ATL makes no claim regarding the accuracy of this competitive information and specifically disclaims any and all liability for loss or damages of any kind resulting from decisions made or actions taken by any party based on this information. NDMP Primer White Paper !! Leverages existing infrastructure, tools and skills, thereby ensuring investment protection. Permits heterogeneous data and device sharing. Conclusion Every software and hardware backup product interacts with other management tools and applications in various ways. A standard protocol can facilitate the interoperability of these products, allowing them to operate more efficiently and with greater simplicity. NDMP is designed to ease the burden of backup and restore operations and provide interoperability in the heterogeneous enterprise. To achieve this, NDMP sets forth a series of well-defined interfaces that address the transfer of file system and control data for backup and restore activities. Defining such a standard accelerates the deployment of interoperable backup solutions and fosters a cooperative environment in which all solution providers work toward the same goal. It also frees solution providers from dedicating resources to ensure interoperability, allowing them to redirect efforts to their areas of expertise. NDMP ensures that compliant products can be used by all customers, regardless of operating system and media device platforms. NDMP's intelligent, open-standards approach also encourages users to take full advantage of the latest architecture, while protecting their investment in their existing data management solution. NDMP compliance provides true plug-and-play interoperability to users that are accustomed to plug-and-play solutions. As a result, users can now select the best enterprise-wide backup software solutions and hardware to meet the demands of their particular environment, without concern for interoperability. Examples of products that can benefit from the interoperability afforded by NDMP include NDMP-compliant servers and tape libraries that can be delivered "backup-ready" to users. Once attached to the network, the NDMP-compliant backup software provides backup protection to the servers as part of an enterprise-wide solution. For additional information about Quantum|ATL's NDMP-compliant enterprise storage solutions, please contact Quantum|ATL via phone at (800) 284-5101 or 949-856-7800, via e-mail at atlinfo@atlp. com, or by visiting our web site at www. QuantumATL. com. 9 Confidential Information The information contained in this document represents Quantum|ATL's best understanding of the features and prices of any competitive products mentioned in this document at the time of publication. [. . . ] Abbreviation for Small Computer System Interface, pronounced "scuzzy. " SCSI is a parallel interface standard for attaching peripheral devices to computers. SCSI interfaces provide for faster data transmission rates (up to 80 megabytes per second) than serial and parallel ports. A section of a network that is bounded by bridges, routers, hubs, or switches. Dividing an Ethernet network into multiple segments increases bandwidth on the Local Area Network (LAN). [. . . ]