Data Domain OS 6.2: Faster Data Protection, with Expanded Cloud Ecosystem, and Greater Flexibility – Part 2

This is blog #2 in our series and will focus on enhancements to Dell Data Domain, a leader in Purpose Built Backup Appliances (PBBA).

What a start to the year 2019! Dell Data Domain delivers another feature packed software release (Data Domain OS 6.2) with hardware component enablement. The key themes for this release are:

  • Dell Data Domain DD3300 Enhancements: We acted on the feedback from our customers related to DD3300, and are proud to announce faster networking, support for VTL use case over Fiber Channel, and more flexibility from a capacity upgrade perspective by introducing a new DD3300 model at 8TB that can grow-in-place up to 16TB, and provides a clean upgrade path to 32TB on a single box.
  • Increased Differentiation: We made significant strides in improving performance – single stream restore performance has improved up to 4X compared to the previous release (Data Domain OS 6.1.2), and so has the overall restore performance. We have expanded our Cloud data ecosystem for both Dell Cloud Tier and Dell Data Domain Virtual Edition (DD VE) with support for Google Cloud Platform and Alibaba Cloud. In addition, DD VE also supports AWS GovCloud and Azure Government Cloud.
  • Simplified Experience: Better management through automation and end-to-end data  protection visibility with Dell Data Domain Management Center (DD MC)
  • Serviceability and TCE enhancements: Get more from your Dell Data Domain appliances

Purpose Built Backup Appliance (PBBA) Features

We have made major strides with respect to performance – improving overall restore and single-stream restore performance. We can now run Dell Data Domain Management Center (DD MC) on KVM, and also support LDAP for user access.

Performance

  • Restore and Recall Improvements: Overall restore performance improved across both tiers, active and cloud. No user intervention is needed; it just comes automagically with Data Domain OS 6.2. Upgrade your Data Domain appliances with Data Domain OS 6.2 and you’ll experience better performance.

Manageability

  • DD MC on KVM: DD MC can now integrate with your neighborhood LDAP systems. This is about making things easy while using DD MC. Our customers wanted DD MC on open source software, and now with Data Domain OS 6.2 customers can install and run DD MC on KVM. With the expansion of the cloud ecosystem to support Alibaba Cloud and GCP, DD MC now also supports these additional cloud providers giving you broader visibility.

Security

  • Secure LDAP for User Access: LDAP can be used to authenticate users who can manage a Data Domain OS system. LDAP, in previous versions of Data Domain OS, has been used to setup NFS. This now extends to user access.

Serviceability and TCE Improvements

  • Support Bundle Size Management: Ability to configure files and data to be collected and sent home. This reduces the payload, time and network usage for events that do not require a full dump of the logs.
  • Core Size Management: Reducing the amount of data sent during significant events to only what is required to triage the issue.

In summary, Data Domain OS 6.2 is a very feature packed release that brings a lot of value to our customers. We hope that you will consider upgrading your Data Domain appliances with the latest Data Domain OS 6.2. To learn more about Dell Data Domain, check out the first blog in our series, view the Dell Data Domain home page, read Data Protection blogs, and follow @DellProtect on Twitter for our latest announcements and content.

Further Resources

Video: Dell Data Protection Appliance Launch Broadcast

Blog: Dell Data Protection Appliance Announcement

Infographic: Dell Data Protection Appliances

The third and final blog in this series will focus on enhancements to the Data Domain DD3300 appliance – a small, compact 2U appliance very apt for the mid-sized organizations. Check back on March 6th for more information or talk with your Sales Rep for the full story today!

About the Author: Amit Sawant

Amit Sawant is a proven management leader with many years of experience in data storage, data analytics, and computer networking. His core strengths lie in translating concepts into reality through exceptional thought leadership, collaboration and negotiation skills. Amit is currently a Product Management leader with Dell EMC where he drives platform product and business strategy for Data Domain, including new initiatives, such as AI/ML, Blockchain and Flash technology. He is also an Executive in Residence with North Carolina State University's Office of Technology Commercialization and New Ventures where he mentors university scientists and engineers how to apply Lean Startup methods to bring university-developed products and services to the marketplace. Amit holds an M.B.A. from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; a Ph.D. and M.S. in computer science (specialization in data analytics and visualization) from North Carolina State University.