NetApp AltaVault

NetApp AltaVault (SteelStore) is the data storage device of the class Cloud-Integrated Storage. It is focused on corporate users and provides reliable and safe backup in a cloud of any type and any provider.

2016: AltaVault release

On November 1, 2016 the Netapp company released release of the version of AltaVault.

The product supports integration from SnapMirror, it facilitates to users of ONTAP backup in AltaVault.

AltaVault

AltaVault uses deduplication and compression "on the fly" that provides data compression up to 30:1. It means that the enterprise stores in a cloud less data in actual volume and can move them quicker^[1].

NetApp AltaVault, (2016)

The built-in WAN optimization reduces the volume of the transported data that accelerates data exchange time with a cloud to four times. Thus, AltaVault is reasonable (intelligently) squeezes traffic even more that saves money and time. At the same time the set quality of services (Quality of Services, QoS) provides that data moved in/from a cloud at that speed which is required by business.

Due to fast data recovery. AltaVault improves restorability as 95% of data remain in a local cache. With the intellectual presettings (intelligent prefetching), AltaVault recovers data from a cloud within minutes. So, with AltaVault clients can recover the data up to 32 times faster, than with tape drives.

Use of Netapp AltaVault gives advantages.

• Corporate scaling on the open platform
  • Flexible deployment and scaling. The client selects the deployment option which is most suitable for itself − cloud (Azure, AWS, etc.) virtual (VMware, Hyper-V, etc.) or physical (AVA).
  • the Line of devices of the AltaVault family begins with 2 TB (younger virtual AVA-v2 model) and extend up to 57 PB (the senior physical AVA-800 model) the protected data in a cloud. It does the solutions AltaVault by the scalablest, integrated with a cloud data warehouses (cloud-integrated storage) in the market.

• Deduplication, compression and enciphering
  • NetApp AltaVault provides seamless integration of the used corporate applications and cloud services provided by providers.
  • Compatibility with the existing BACKUP-POE. Solutions on the basis of AltaVault are compatible to all leading reserve and archive software products, including EMC, Symantec, IBM and Commvault. The enterprises do not spend time in vain for elimination of gaps and replacement of software, − as well as on retraining of IT personnel.
  • Choice of a cloud and "swiftness" (agility). The client can prefer any cloud, − as AltaVault, as a rule, supports him. AltaVault supports today 95% of the leading cloud providers and platforms which are present at the market. Cloud providers appear and disappear, and the enterprises do not want to be tied to any to one of them. The universality of AltaVault allows to eliminate dependence on the only provider.

• "Armored" security and observance of regulatory regulations (compliance)
  • Enciphering and compliance to regulations. Data are ciphered and are safe in all cases − and on each device, and during traffic. 256-bit enciphering of AES compatible to the newest FIPS 140-2 specification of Level 1 and an industry standard of enciphering of TLS is typically used. Encryption keys can be managed locally using the KMIP protocol, − and, actually, never to leave own information center.
  • Access control to data. The staff of the enterprise can get data access in AltaVault according to role-based management tools access and integration with Terminal Access Controller Access Control System (TACACS) and Remote Authentication Dial In User Service (RADIUS). The corresponding lists of access control giving to users and service staff access to certain protocols, ports and networks are for this purpose used.
  • Reduction of recovery time and data loss. Reduction of recovery time (Recovery Time Objective, RTO), is reached due to use of a local cache of AltaVault.
  • Readiness for emergency situations. Time and an order of recovery of local workloads are defined during tests of a system for recovery or on the basis of AWS/Azure opportunities during the work with AltaVault.

• The easiest deployment and management
  • Fast deployment. It is typically possible to start a system on the basis of AltaVault less than in 30 minutes. All process is reduced to three simple steps after which implementation it is possible to begin to send data in a cloud in an operating mode.
  • More "smart" management. AltaVault is focused on reduction of operating time with the tape drives and tasks requiring manual control, − which are subject to errors and are labor-consuming. Remote management and monitoring are reduced in the meter panel (dashboard) with the relevant GUI and provide full control of administrators irrespective of where they are physically − in any place as enterprise, and in any corner of the world where there is an Internet channel.
  • Service and world-class support. Professional services from NetApp and its partners treat as the infrastructure constructed on the basis of solutions of the company and the heterogeneous environment. It provides the optimized solution which corresponds to certain requirements of the enterprise. The support service helps the client to reach continuous transactions (continuous operations), operational superiority (operational excellence) and to increase efficiency of the cost (cost efficiency).

• AltaVault reduces input barriers to cloud data storage
  • Many organizations with enthusiasm accept cloud economy, but soon enough face a number of obstacles. AltaVault as the data storage device integrated with a cloud (cloud-integrated storage appliance) was initially developed to help clients to break these barriers.
  • Support of security and observance of regulations in the environment with many providers. The organizations cannot risk the data or data of their clients. NetApp AltaVault is developed so that to provide accomplishment of cloud strategy, − reliably protecting data and meeting security requirements.
  • Simple management of large volumes of data, even at limited bandwidth. Means of deduplication of AltaVault in one of examples reduced the amount of data of construction company loaded into a cloud, almost six times − from 39 TB to 7 TB and all data were transferred to Azure in one week.
  • Quick access to data. Big advantage of AltaVault consists in that, how fast with this device it is possible to recover data. With tapes of such speed and completeness it is impossible to reach. With AltaVault complete recovery can be made within an hour or two, − and of any location.

Notes