ExaGrid uses zone-level deduplication, which breaks data into larger “zones” and then compares at the byte level. This approach allows for the best of all worlds. First, the tracking table is 1,000th the size of the block-level approach and allows for full appliances in a hyper-converged scale-out solution. As data grows, all resources are added: processor, memory, and bandwidth as well as disk. If data doubles, triples, quadruples, etc., then ExaGrid doubles, triples, and quadruples the processor, memory, bandwidth, and disk so that as data grows, the backup window stays at a fixed length. Second, the zone approach is backup application agnostic, allowing ExaGrid to support virtually any backup application. Lastly, ExaGrid’s approach does not maintain a very large, ever-growing hash table and, therefore, avoids the need for expensive flash to accelerate hash table look-ups. ExaGrid’s approach keeps the cost of the hardware low.
ExaGrid
WHy Exagrid?
Organizations come to ExaGrid because we are the only company that implemented deduplication in a way that fixed all the challenges of backup storage. ExaGrid’s hyper-converged secondary storage for backup offers a unique landing zone and scale-out architecture that provide the fastest backups — resulting in the shortest fixed backup window, the fastest local restores, fastest offsite tape copies, and instant VM recoveries while permanently fixing the backup window length, all with reduced cost up front and over time.
ExaGrid takes the stress of backup storage away forever. We believe in what we do, and our customers benefit from it every single day.
ExaGrid’s hyper-converged secondary storage for backup system enables faster, more reliable backups & restores.
Product Architecture
ExaGrid understands that deduplication is required, but how you implement it changes everything in backup. Data deduplication reduces the amount of storage required and also the amount of bandwidth for replication; however, if not implemented correctly, it will dramatically slow down backups, slow down restores and VM boots, and the backup window will grow as data grows. This is due to the fact that data deduplication is highly compute intensive; you don’t want to perform deduplication during the backup window and you also don’t want to restore or boot from a pool of deduplicated data.
ExaGrid provides the best level of data deduplication and has implemented data deduplication in a way that provides 3X the backup performance and up to 20X the restore and VM boot performance of other approaches. ExaGrid has a unique landing zone where backups can land straight to disk without any inline deduplication processing.
Scalability
ExaGrid offers a series of various-sized backup storage appliance models that can be mixed and matched in a scale-out hyper-converged secondary storage for backup system.
Any size or age appliance can co-exist in the same system and can scale from a 3TB full backup to a 2PB full backup in a single system. The system is flexible since the proper size appliances can be added as data grows. This eliminates the need for up-front planning and allows customers to expand the ExaGrid system as their data grows.
The unique landing zone allows for the fastest backups and the fastest restores, recoveries, and tape copies.
The unique scale-out approach, which includes full appliances in a scale-out, hyper-converged system is the only solution that provides a fixed-length backup window regardless of data growth, negating the need for expensive forklift upgrades.
Product Line
The ExaGrid hyper-converged secondary storage for backup product line consists of eight appliance models. Each appliance is sized for a full backup and for long-term retention.
Any ExaGrid appliance can be mixed and matched in the same scale-out system with any other size or age appliance, allowing customers to buy what they need as they need it. This pay-as-you-grow model allows up to 32 appliances in a single scale-out system.
All appliances and systems are managed by a single user interface. Multiple systems can be deployed in a single site, which allows for full backups up to petabytes.
Supported Backup Applications
ExaGrid supports a wide variety of backup applications, utilities, and database dumps. In addition, ExaGrid allows multiple approaches within the same environment. An organization can use one backup application for its physical servers, a different backup application or utility for its virtual environment, and also perform direct Microsoft SQL or Oracle RMAN database dumps – all to the same ExaGrid system. This approach allows customers to use the backup application and utilities of their choosing, use best-of-breed backup applications and utilities, and choose the right backup application and utility for each specific use case.
If you change backup applications in the future, the ExaGrid system will still work, protecting your initial investment.
Resources
ExaGrid is a recognized visionary, innovator, and leader in the hyper-converged secondary storage for backup space. ExaGrid takes a unique approach to backup by addressing all the requirements of backup performance, restores performance, backup window length, disaster recovery, and cost up front and over time.
The data sheets, videos, and industry analyst reports will aid you in fully understanding the ExaGrid architecture and commitment to backup storage.