Backup types

Direct backup supports backup of application data files and control files and of disk images -- either raw disk or raw logical volume.

Direct backup benefits

Because the data mover is in the SAN bridge and the technology that interprets the target system is built into the General Media Agent, direct backup users can use a low-cost management server to drive the backup and can avoid having to invest in multiple servers to perform block identification.

Additionally, direct backup is designed to let you leverage hardware capabilities to increase uptime and instant recovery capabilities to reduce restore time.

Direct backup is not limited to proprietary file systems and logical volume managers (LVMs).

Direct backup adds value to your backup solution both by addition and omission. For example, direct backup:

•Takes advantage of the most advanced XCopy features to speed backups

•Enables maximum uptime by leveraging existing hardware mirroring and snapshot capabilities

•Lets you take advantage of Data Protector’s industry-leading instant recovery capability to speed recovery

•Requires very little CPU and memory resource from the XCopy host device

How direct backup works

As with any other Data Protector backup, you will make a backup specification to control how and when the backup happens.

•The General Media Agent on the application server quiesces the application

•The split mirror agent on the application server and backup host splits the mirror

•The General Media Agent on the backup host:

•resolves the disk of the target system

•calculates the resolve information

•calls XCopy

•XCopy, in turn, retrieves the target data and moves it across the bridge to the tape device.

Concepts guide

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