Avamar's Advantageous Data Protection Solution
Avamar, which specializes in solutions for secure data backup, plans to release Axion 3.5 this week and gave CRN prerelease access to review the product.
Axion 3.5 provides two types of encryption, one for data "in flight" and one for data at rest. The main requirement of backup for data in flight, or data in transmission, is that it operates at the speed at which data is traveling over the wire. These speeds are not necessary for backing up data at rest.
The software-only solution is capable of providing full backups at the speed of incremental backups by eliminating redundant data using the commonality factor and breaking down files into "atomics." The software constantly walks the client's file system while on the lookout for a sequence it has never seen before. Once it recognizes something foreign, it will provide a backup, which will tax the CPU utilization by about 5 percent; the end result will reduce the overall amount of data being moved for backup. The software uses cryptographic hashes to mark data that it will never backup again.
Axion 3.5 augments tape and integrates well with popular server and storage platforms to meet the demands of businesses of all sizes. It can interoperate with Veritas, Legato and Tivoli Storage Manager. The software integrates as a front-end media server or storage node that can back up directly to a tape index. Administrators can restore natively from their backup tape solution.
Solution providers should consider setting up an environment for their customers that consists of a server or servers on-site and a staging server in between the remote office and another replicated system off-site. The single server on-site becomes the local stager so all backup is local and can then be replicated to another system or to a storage facility such as Iron Mountain where solution providers can provide backup as a service.
Avamar's software solution is designed to handle large enterprise environments while providing local and remote system fault tolerance. Since the solution is not proprietary to a specific hardware solution, the partner can sell any hardware and services to create ongoing revenue opportunities. To show the efficiency and practicality of the Axion 3.5 solution, CRN Test Center engineers created a typical environment that consisted of a Windows client that was on the same network as the Axion 3.5 solution. A copy of an 11-Mbyte Microsoft PowerPoint file, which resided on the client machine, was saved under a different file name. CRN engineers proceeded to the Snapup dashboard and started a backup of any new data; usually this is an automated process, but for testing purposes, it was enhanced. It took only seconds to find the change in block data.
Avamar's channel program includes two designations: Regional VAR Partner and Solution Alliance Partner. Regional VAR Partners are required to have two Avamar-certified technicians on staff, while Solution Alliance Partners are required to have four. Both levels require yearly sales goals: $500,000 for Regional VAR Partners and $1 million for Solution Alliance Partners.
Partners can expect margins of about 30 percent and additional revenue from associated services. The company offers training and support to partners, with training running $2,250 for one week at Avamar's headquarters. Solution Alliance Partners have access to 24x7 support, and Regional VAR partners have access to support during business hours.
Avamar's channel program is geared toward partners servicing the enterprise, and it would be very difficult for smaller VARs and those serving the SMB market to leverage what Avamar has to offer. Partners able to make the substantial investment to join Avamar's channel program will be rewarded with good margins, additional opportunities and ongoing revenue.
