1. Practical IT Research that Drives Measurable Results Leverage Server Virtualization for DR Affordability and Agility 1Info-Tech Research Group

2. Executive Summary Info-Tech Research Group2 Virtualization changes the system recovery game – A virtual machine (VM) is a file. Thus, file backup and recovery can now be applied for systems availability and recovery – This changes the economics of systems restore – particularly in offsite scenarios that are complex, expensive, and time-consuming Storage infrastructure is a key enabler – The virtualization layer will leverage the underlying storage’s ability to do snapshots and replication including site-to-site replication thereby exploiting backup and recovery capabilities integral to storage management – In a SAN environment, shared storage enables higher availability and decreased downtime, since VMs as files are easily accessible from many physical servers Virtualization products, such as VMware’s Site Recovery Manager, helps to automate fast site-to-site replication and off-site recovery

3. Info-Tech Research Group3 Two hardware platforms can share access to the same virtual machine (VM) file, and if one platform goes down, the other can be up and running in seconds thanks to the portability of VMs. Virtualization turns traditional problems of system availability and recovery on its head. Virtualization converts a system into a file which allows it to be replicated, copied, and moved in the same way as a file. To establish the case for using server virtualization for disaster recovery planning, refer to the Info-Tech video “How Virtualization Turns DRP Upside Down” to clearly outline key benefits. Further Research: A Virtual Machine is a File As Files, VMs Failover More Easily

4. Info-Tech Research Group4 The flexibility of virtual servers mitigates the expense, complexity, and time of traditional DR planning. Traditional solutions require 1:1 redundancy. Every server would need a twin to failover to, thereby doubling costs. For business continuity planning, files and records, as well as systems must be backed up. Traditional system backup requires imaging and storing that system image elsewhere. The ability to copy a system as a file increases enterprise flexibility and agility and decreases costs in terms of full disaster recovery plans. Redundancy Costs System File in Storage Company A has 30 servers and needs physical failover. In a traditional environment, this might require 30 duplicate servers (if all servers must failover) waiting at a second location. Company B has 30 virtual servers on 4 physical servers. In a virtualized environment, this would also require a 1:1 ratio, but of only 4 servers. Additionally, these 4 servers could be used for test and development, rather than sitting around waiting for disaster to strike. Scenario:

5. Info-Tech Research Group5 When systems are VMs, everything is a file. Leverage storage management and backup/recovery solutions to drive DR plans. Storage replication across SANs provide site-to- site backup. Designing a DRP based on VM file replication and recovery requires a storage management solution that meets DRP recovery point and recovery time objectives. Ensure the storage management and backup/recovery solutions can meet these objectives. The virtualization layer will leverage the underlying storage’s ability to do snapshots and replication. Remember: Backup Is All About Restore Storage replication takes a snapshot of a VM while its running and stores it in another location. To recover, that specific VM file needs to be accessed and restored intact. Ensure the recovery software can restore at the file level to take advantage of the capabilities of server virtualization.

6. Info-Tech Research Group6 VMware’s SRM builds on a key strength that virtual machines have for disaster recovery (DR). With virtual machines the enterprise does not have to maintain identical server hardware on standby at a remote site. All that is required is the processing/memory capacity to launch critical virtual machines from the replicated storage volumes at the remote site. For more details on the advantages and challenges of SRM, refer to the research note, “Optimize Virtual Server DRP with VMware Site Recovery Manager”.Optimize Virtual Server DRP with VMware Site Recovery Manager Site Recovery Manager (SRM) Uses Virtualization Strengths Virtualization products, such as Vmware Site Recovery Manager, helps to automate site-to-site replication and fast off-site recovery. Before Failover X

7. Conclusion Info-Tech Research Group7 1.Video: How Virtualization Turns DR Upside DownHow Virtualization Turns DR Upside Down 2.What? You Want Replication with That?What? You Want Replication with That? 3.Hot Swap: Reciprocal DR Hosting Can Cut CostsHot Swap: Reciprocal DR Hosting Can Cut Costs 4.The SME Storage Landscape: A Navigation KeyThe SME Storage Landscape: A Navigation Key 5.Optimize Virtual Server DRP with VMware Site Recovery ManagerOptimize Virtual Server DRP with VMware Site Recovery Manager 6.Three Approaches to Backing Up VMware Virtual MachinesThree Approaches to Backing Up VMware Virtual Machines 7.Vendor Landscape: Backing up VMwareVendor Landscape: Backing up VMware Improved infrastructure availability and recovery is as big a driver for server virtualization as consolidation. Build on a foundation of shared networked storage to reduce downtime and reduce the costs of architecting DR solutions. Issues to pay close attention to include storage replication capabilities, recovery automation, and backup software. Further Resources:

8. Additional Tools and Insight Included in Complete Report Case Example: Two colleges established a reciprocal partnership to build recovery capabilities, saving more than $1million. Shared storage can enable higher availability and decreased downtime for running VMs. Resources not included: Video: How virtualization turns DRP upside down What? You Want Replication with That? Hot Swap: Reciprocal DR Hosting Can Cut Costs The SME Storage Landscape: A Navigation Key Optimize Virtual Server DRP with VMware Site Recovery Manager Three Approaches to Backing Up VMware Virtual Machines Vendor Landscape: Backing up VMware Info-Tech Research Group8

9. 9 Info-Tech Helps Professionals To: 1.Quickly get up to speed with new technologies 2.Make the right technology purchasing decision – fast 3.Deliver critical IT projects, on time and within budget 4.Manage business expectations 5.Justify IT spending and prove the value of IT 6.Train IT staff and effectively manage an IT department “Info-Tech helps me to be proactive instead of reactive – a cardinal rule in a stable and leading edge IT environment.” - ARCS Commercial Mortgage Co., LP “Info-Tech helps me to be proactive instead of reactive – a cardinal rule in a stable and leading edge IT environment.” - ARCS Commercial Mortgage Co., LP Sign up for a free trial to get practical solutions to your IT challenges. Sign up for a free trial www.infotech.com 1-888-670-8889