New Quantum Software Platform

Quantum Corp. announced a software platform to help customers take advantage of cloud-based data protection through an optimized, flexible approach that overcomes the limitations of current cloud offerings.

This platform is centered on Quantum vmPRO technology and its new virtual deduplication appliance, DXi V1000, also unveiled.

In addition, the all-virtual platform serves as a key component of Xerox’s recently announced cloud backup and DR services. Finally, it is the basis of a multi-faceted plan to make the benefits of Quantum’s cloud technology available through other public and private cloud services this year, including new Quantum-branded offerings. All of this reflects a strategic initiative the company began last summer to extend its data protection leadership to virtual and cloud environments.

Optimized Cloud-Based Data Protection
For customers looking to reduce internal infrastructure and management costs, avoid the expense of maintaining multiple data centers for DR and/or protect data from small remote sites, storing data in the cloud is quite compelling. This is particularly true for backup data because availability is not as critical as for primary data; and, yet, the ability to restore backup data quickly when needed is still important.

Unfortunately, current cloud data protection services force customers to choose between fast but expensive storage array-based replication offerings and cheap cloud-only solutions that can take days to deliver restored data. Moreover, these services often require customers to buy additional expensive hardware as data grows or abandon prior investments as part of the ‘rip and replace’ cloud-only approach.

Quantum has drawn on its expertise in data protection and technology to deliver an efficient, cost-effective foundation for cloud-based backup, restore and DR that helps customers transition to the cloud on their terms and timeframe, easily and practically. Quantum’s approach is also based on the fact that most customers continue to use both disk and tape for data protection, have a mix of physical and virtual servers and are more comfortable with a hybrid cloud strategy.

This focus on flexibility is reflected
in the benefits provided by the company’s
new cloud-optimized software platform, including:

• Fast restores delivered from local copies of VMs and their data;
• Cost-effective DR and business continuity provided by the ability to bring up full VM images in the cloud;
• The option to pursue a hybrid cloud approach, taking advantage of Quantum vmPRO and DXi V1000 capabilities both onsite and in the cloud;
• The ability for customers to use their preferred hardware, protecting prior investments and future flexibility;
• Secure, multi-tenant cloud support;
• Data reduction of up to 95 percent; and
• WAN-optimized replication to maximize efficiency and leverage of existing links.

DXi V1000 Software for Public and Private Clouds
The new DXi V1000 provides the functionality of Quantum’s DXi-Series deduplication appliances in 100 percent VM-based software, thereby combining the power and flexibility of target-based deduplication with the simplicity and affordability of an integrated virtual appliance.

The DXi V1000, available starting next month
at a price of $2,250 per TB, offers:

• A architecture suited to data protection use cases beyond just public clouds, including regional edge-to-core replication to a physical DXi appliance and small site-to-site disaster recovery;
• A virtual appliance-based backup design that eliminates agents and extra servers;
• The ability to replicate to any DXi-Series appliance, cloud protection service or tape;
• An easy-to-deploy design that integrates with leading backup software in existing environments; and
• Data protection for both physical and virtual servers, typically 20TB to40 TB per DXi V1000 (based on a 2TB blockpool and average deduplication rates).

Quantum Plans for Extending
Its Cloud-Based Data Protection Platform
Over the coming year, Quantum plans to extend the benefits of its cloud-based data protection to a broader range of customers.

These plans will include:

• Offering technology platform to other public cloud providers;
• Selling its own branded cloud services;
• Packaging a solution for its channel partners to sell under their own brands;
• Providing a technology blueprint for private/hybrid cloud customers; and
• Developing technology optimized for cloud-based archive.

"When we sought a design for an efficient, flexible and optimized cloud backup and DR service beyond the enterprise, we looked for a platform that would be simple to deploy, provide best-in-class protection, and balance affordability with fast recovery time," said Ken Stephens, senior vice president of Xerox Cloud Services. "Quantum’s products met this level of sophistication which we are able to offer as part of our cloud suite of services."

"Over the past year, Quantum has done an impressive job extending its data protection leadership from physical to virtual environments, including cloud-based solutions," said Jason Buffington, senior analyst, Enterprise Strategy Group. "The combination of vmPRO and new DXi V1000 software in a highly efficient and integrated platform opens up new solution possibilities not only for customers looking to innovate differently but also for cloud providers who are ready to offer new storage services to their clientele. The partnership and shared architecture with Xerox provides a strong validation of what should be an interesting solution to watch moving forward."

"Today’s announcement reflects Quantum’s continued focus on developing and integrating industry-leading technologies to meet customers’ evolving data protection and management needs across physical, virtual, cloud and mixed environments," said Henrik Rosendahl, vice president, Cloud Solutions at Quantum. "It also demonstrates our commitment to providing highly optimized yet flexible solutions that enable customers to realize the full benefits of storage advancements without having to make compromises elsewhere."