We are looking at Isilon too, along with NetApp, BlueArc, and SoNAS. Backups are a real challenge as these get large in scale. Some observations:
1. NDMP requires periodic full backups. This generates a lot of backup traffic. If you're going over a long-haul network, this can be an issue. Note there are 3 versions of NDMP (or 4?). Some go direct to tape, some allow you to go to TSM. When purchasing a NAS with NDMP support, make sure you understand this if you're planning to use NDMP. 2. NetApp has snapdiff integration with TSM. Very nice. Avoids having to walk the filesystem, which is a big win. Restores can take a long time. That's an advantage of NDMP, I think. Backups are done from NAS clients. 3. SoNAS has integrated TSM client, which (I think) uses a journal in GPFS which again saves TSM from walking the filesystem each time. I'm pretty sure about this, but not positive. Also allows extension via TSM/HSM I believe. Nice on paper - no experience with it yet. 4. Isilon - has "backup accellerators". Yes, an integrated TSM client would be nice (to whoever suggested this), but what you'd really want is something to save TSM from walking the filesystem. I don't see this happening for the reason stated earlier - there's no partnership between EMC and IBM. 5. BlueArc - no experience or insight with this yet. I think you'd either use NDMP or a NAS client, similar to Isilon. We're looking at all of these (and have a NetApp), so I'm keenly interested in others' experiences. ..Paul At 04:12 PM 2/2/2012, Huebner,Andy,FORT WORTH,IT wrote: >Anyone backup an Isilon array? Using 3592 tape drives? The sales guys say it >is just NDMP. >I am looking for just basic information (good, bad, Oh Smurf!). One may be in >our future. > > >Andy Huebner > > >This e-mail (including any attachments) is confidential and may be legally >privileged. If you are not an intended recipient or an authorized >representative of an intended recipient, you are prohibited from using, >copying or distributing the information in this e-mail or its attachments. If >you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately >by return e-mail and delete all copies of this message and any attachments. > >Thank you. -- Paul Zarnowski Ph: 607-255-4757 Manager, Storage Services Fx: 607-255-8521 719 Rhodes Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853-3801 Em: p...@cornell.edu