Arkeia Network Backup Version 9.0

Arkeia Software announced Arkeia Network Backup Version 9.0 with next-generation ‘progressive deduplication’ technology, acquired with the purchase of Kadena Systems in 2009. Version 9.0 will deliver global deduplication functionality that is source-side, in-line and content-aware. This progressive deduplication will be available on Arkeia’s entire line of software, appliances, and virtual appliances. Other features in Version 9 include advanced encryption, improvements to the Web user interface, and expanded platform support. Version 9 will be available in Q1 2011.
 
Faster, for Shorter Backup Windows
Progressive deduplication improves on traditional ‘variable-block deduplication’ in two ways. First, progressive deduplication is faster, reducing the length of backup windows. Arkeia’s progressive deduplication eliminates the need to scan for block boundaries. All files previously encountered by Arkeia are deduplicated at fixed-block speeds. New data is surveyed with a sliding window. A speedy, light-weight algorithm determines if data under the window is a probable match to blocks in the known-block-pool. Probable matches are scrutinized with a heavy-weight hash algorithm. Because over 99% of probable matches prove to be exact matches, progressive matching is extremely efficient. Arkeia’s patented ‘progressive matching’ technology inspired the name ‘progressive deduplication.’

Higher Compression Ratios,
for Reduced Storage and Network Traffic
Second, progressive deduplication delivers higher compression ratios which save money by reducing storage volume and network performance requirements. Moving less data over the network also accelerates backups.
 
Variable-block deduplication
fixes block boundaries randomly,
affording little control over the size of blocks
Progressive deduplication evaluates all possible block boundaries, guaranteeing the best possible deduplication. Precise control over block boundaries allows blocks to be optimally sized for each file type. Each type of data, such as executable files, text files, and database records, will be deduplicated with the block size that achieves the maximum compression rate. Arkeia has analyzed hundreds of file types, produced by hundreds of popular applications in the enterprise, to determine each one’s optimal block size.

For Virtual Environments Like VMware’s vSphere 4.1
Arkeia’s progressive deduplication has been designed expressly to support virtual environments including VMware’s vSphere, Microsoft’s Hyper-V, Citrix’s XenServer, and Red Hat’s Enterprise Virtualization. Virtual environments have natural data redundancy because each virtual machine maintains it own copy of an operating systems and applications. By eliminating this redundancy, Arkeia accelerates backups and shortens backup windows.
 
Arkeia’s Backup Agent for vStorage uses VMware’s changed block tracking (CBT) together with Arkeia’s deduplication to backup, restore, or replicate virtual machines. Arkeia deduplicates and backs up Microsoft’s virtual environments and applications using Arkeia’s VSS-based Backup Agent for Hyper-V. Arkeia, a Citrix Ready Partner, performs agentless backups and restores of Citrix’s XenServer environments, including the quiescing of Microsoft applications and databases via VSS.

Deduplication Appliances; Deduplication Profiler
All Arkeia appliances can be upgraded to version 9.0 firmware so current appliance customers can benefit from source-side deduplication. No hardware upgrades are necessary because source-side deduplication leverages the processors at the client computer to compress data before it travels over the network.
 
While virtually all backup jobs will benefit from source-side deduplication, an administrator can specify clients for which data should not be deduplicated at the source. In this case, the data can either be deduplicated at the media server (i.e. the target) or simply backed up without deduplication. A single Arkeia backup job can mix all three types of backups.
 
Arkeia will distribute a deduplication profiling tool to customers in November. The tool serves two functions. First, the profiler measures deduplication rates at multiple block sizes to determine the optimal block size for each file type. Second, by measuring deduplication rates on a series of real-world backup jobs, the profiler eliminates the guesswork in planning for deduplication.

Encryption, Updated Platform Support
Arkeia Network Backup v9.0 will deliver support for client-side AES-256 encryption, and improvements to Arkeia’s web user interface. Version 9.0 will support new platforms including Ubuntu 10.10, OpenBSD 4.8, Red Hat Fedora 14, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6, and Debian 6.

Availability and Pricing
Arkeia Network Backup v9.0 will be generally available in Q1 2011 with progressive deduplication for Linux and Windows platforms.  Deduplication support for AIX, BSD, HP-UX, Macintosh, Netware, and Solaris will follow in 2011.  
 
The Arkeia Deduplication Option is priced at $2,000 per media server. Deduplication Option licenses will be bundled at no charge with all new backup servers, software or appliance, purchased by December 31, 2010.

All products include one year of maintenance with free license updates and unlimited access to Arkeia technical support.