Quantum esXpress Software Module

Quantum Corp. unveiled Quantum esXpress software module, which optimizes Quantum’s DXi-Series disk backup and replication systems to back up and restore VMware ESX virtual servers. Extending the power of Quantum’s patented data deduplication technology, esXpress and the DXi-Series together eliminate the need for physical servers to initiate a backup job and move data, and make WAN-based replication more affordable, providing an automated approach to replicating files to remote disaster recovery sites. This valuable combination lowers the cost of VMware data protection and optimizes the virtual infrastructure.

Quantum’s esXpress software module is available for the entire DXi-Series of deduplication and replication solutions, which dramatically reduces bandwidth and disk requirements for transmitting and storing data. The DXi-Series provides powerful advantages for virtual environments, eliminating duplicate data that virtual machines create, reducing storage needs for end users and streamlining backup. While the DXi-Series supports all of the leading backup software applications, the new esXpress software module is specifically designed to offer optimized backup for VMware servers.

"Protecting our virtual servers through both file-based backup and VMware Consolidated Backup had been an ongoing challenge," said Rob Slaughter, IT director, J.R. Filanc Construction. "With esXpress, backup and restore operations have become a ‘set it and forget it’ solution that is allowing us to effectively utilize deduplication in our VMware environment. I’ve found esXpress to be quick and easy to use, and it’s serving as an extremely effective DR-level backup solution."

With esXpress and the DXi-Series, Quantum combines innovative backup software with deduplication and replication technology to shorten backup windows, without adding servers to support data backup and restoration. Quantum’s esXpress also features a policy-based approach to installations and configurations which can significantly reduce deployment times when adding ESX servers. With its powerful deduplication technology and intelligent replication capabilities, Quantum’s DXi-Series is a compelling solution for organizations with both traditional and virtual backup needs, addressing cost, bandwidth and scalability concerns.

"Virtual server environments are rife with duplicate data, making them an ideal candidate for backup to a capacity optimized repository like the Quantum DXi-Series," noted Jeff Boles, senior analyst, Taneja Group. "The Quantum esXpress product virtualizes backup appliances and mobilizes the virtual backup infrastructure for better, more granular management. When combined with Quantum’s broadly integrated, distributed deduplication solutions, esXpress simply kicks over many of the obstacles that stand in the way of good virtual server data protection."

"The combination of esXpress and the DXi-Series provides an affordable, effective solution for backing up virtual machines," said Janae Lee, senior vice president of marketing at Quantum. "It also represents a powerful new approach for linking together regional offices, midrange sites, and corporate data centers via replication and further exemplifies Quantum’s growing portfolio of integrated solutions for managing and protecting data across sites and storage tiers."

Quantum and its network of value-added resellers offer two versions of the esXpress software module: the Professional and Enterprise editions, to provide a range of capabilities for managing concurrent backup jobs per ESX server.

Every DXi2500-D, DXi3500, DXi7500 Express and DXi7500 includes the right to a license for a free copy of esXpress Professional software, intended for use on one VMware ESX server regardless of the amount of storage or the number of virtual machines protected, which can support up to four Virtual Backup Appliances (VBAs). This esXpress Professional license is included at no additional cost, and phone-based installation is provided free of charge. Subsequent esXpress Professional licenses (MSRP $950) also support up to four VBAs each and for $950 can be upgraded to esXpress Enterprise (MSRP $1,850) which supports up to 16 VBAs per ESX server.