Synology Active Backup Suite vs. HPE MSA

Synology
Active backup is a great low-cost solution to backup your entire
infrastructure, no license cost whatsoever currently, only the only requirement
is using Synology hardware which is great, and we’ve not had any issues with.

Compared to
more mature solutions like Veeam, it’s lacking some tools for restoring data /
elements quickly.

Veeam has
tools to restore databases/data or active directory elements like users, groups
or Ous.

So, if you
need the extra tools for certain applications this isn’t the right tool for
you.

The HPE MSA is best suited for basic SAN requirements. Having dual controllers provides redundancy and allows for firmware upgrades without incurring downtime to the environment. It provides enough IOPS for most workloads be it VMWare or servers requiring storage. For applications such as MS SQL or Exchange, other SAN solutions would be better. Plus the lack of storage snapshot capabilities is also a detriment to the product line. Lack of any reporting capability is also an issue especially when determining workload capabilities.

Incentivized

• The interface to browse and restore files from the cloud backups is super-easy. As in drop-down boxes to select which account and then files and be exported for restore - no training needed to use it.
• The Synology device is fast on the network - 4 x 1Gbps NICs
• Updating itself
• Being Reliable as a permanently on 24/7 device

Incentivized

• Functions well as a disaster recovery cluster repository
• Since the space is a spinning disk, it is inexpensive
• All of our VMs are stored in a mass storage repository on the system, but we could carve out specific LUNs if needed.

Incentivized

• Agent Download more easily
• More detail information's on dates, and what was backup

Incentivized

• Firmware upgrades. We have had major issues on two occasions, causing extended downtime. HP was quick to help and resolve, but I am not sure why our simple implementation caused an issue that should have been picked up by testing prior to release. Once was bad, twice painful. The end result is that we purchased a unit solely to test firmware upgrades on, not really great for us!
• Support life span. Units go end of life support after around 4 years, a little too short for us.

Incentivized

It is a functioning Replication system for us and checks all the boxes that the auditors are looking for. Further, it is inexpensive and the storage we purchased was cheap. HP has a good reputation in the industry that plays into the decision also.

Incentivized

The usability
of the suite is excellent, all tools are web based so no client or server to
remote into. It has a separate portal to restore data, you can give access to
users if you want them to be able to restore their own data.

Restoring
files or a whole server/vm is very easy to do, it just lacks the functionality
of some of the more established backup solutions.

With being
a Veeam user for many years, the comfort of the extra tools to restore a single
database or a single active directory user, I’ve grown used to Veeam’s tools.

Centralized system for multiples systems

Incentivized

The dual controller configuration of the HPE MSA trumps the Synology DiskStation's single controller configuration. For that alone, I would select the HPE MSA. Without that setup, any controller issue or firmware upgrade is disruptive to the systems the SAN is providing storage to. Furthermore, HPE's support is better than what Synology currently provides. The lack of phone support on Synology's part slows down the troubleshooting of issues compared to HPE. Furthermore, HPE's engineers are able to do a remote session and can work on the problems directly compared to Synology's support.

Incentivized

• Positive is obviously being a main part of the backup strategy along with quick data restoration.

Incentivized

• Increased up time. Better user experience.
• Good value for money. ROI high.
• Peace of mind. Just knowing that you rely on the solution to meet storage performance needs is great.

Incentivized