Finally: A cloud-based backup solution! Goodbye Windows Server Backup.
March 06, 2020

Finally: A cloud-based backup solution! Goodbye Windows Server Backup.

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Modules Used

  • Data Protection
  • Data Center Backup

Overall Satisfaction with Druva inSync

Druva Phoenix is a relative newcomer to our administrative arsenal. Until recently, we only backed up user and server data to local NAS devices (a mixture of Netgear and Synology), but the drive towards the cybernetic clouds has seen us consider alternative arrangements. Before Druva, we used a combination of Windows Server Backup for our Hyper-V VMs and sync for our Unix-based Samba file servers, we've grown up a lot since those dark days. Finally, our backups are all in one place (from an admin point of view, at least), and our status visibility and awareness is top-notch.

Pros

  • Recoverability: The speed with which backups can be located and restored is the best I've ever seen.
  • Visibility: it's easy to keep an eye on what's successfully backing up and, more importantly, what's not.
  • Availability: Anywhere, anytime; if you need to recover data in a jiffy you're not tied to a specific local server interface - the web console is easily accessible from anywhere.
  • Simplicity: Configuration of backup jobs is straightforward and guides easily followable.

Cons

  • I'd like to see a mobile app.
  • The main (default) dashboard is a tinsy bit cluttered. By default, there are irrelevant entries for inSync and CloudRanger alongside Phoenix. I just want Phoenix, nothing else. I guess it's just their way of exposing their other products to unsuspecting users. A really minor niggle.
  • I can't see how to enable MFA; it's certainly an option for Druva's CloudRanger product. This might just be me being dim/blind.
  • It's always difficult to come up with negatives when you've only had great experiences with a product.
  • The uncertainty of whether or not we can get files back from our backup is gone - previously it was a job solely for the network manager; now any one of our team can restore data at the drop of a hat.
  • The higher-ups can rest assured that system infrastructure data (I'm talking Hyper-V VMs here) is securely stored offsite, allowing a full system restoration should the absolute worst case happen. User data is easier to restore than ever before.
  • Of course, we now have to budget more for backups, but that's just the way it goes; freebie solutions tend to be heavily bespoke and admin intensive. Professional, well-supported solutions cost money but free up man-hours. It's a fair trade.
  • Veeam Backup & Replication
I may have not done Veeam any justice, only carrying out some brief testing. My initial feeling was one of overt complexity, and despite green being my favorite color, it just didn't grab my attention. Of course, this isn't particularly helpful, other than to make it clear that I have no negative feelings towards the product; it might very well be amazing.
We'd always felt a little uncomfortable about our backup routines. Sync'd copies of our Unix file servers on NAS boxes didn't feel like best practice, and the less said about Windows Server Backup the better. When Druva came along it made us all sit up, think and then issue an intrigued "hmmmmm" sound. Off-site backup without the hassle of stuffing pockets with DAT tapes? "Hmmmmm... this could work". Right now, all of our major systems are still on-premises based—two server rooms separated by 200m of single-mode fibre. Backing up each location to the other room worked OK, but we never really felt truly safe from a major disaster. Druva Phoenix simplifies things considerably, whilst seriously increasing our business continuity prospects. Obviously our original approach to backups was, given that the NAS devices had been bought some years ago, largely free. The systems involved were rather too bespoke and, quite frankly, fragile. Using this Enterprise-class solution has brought in additional costs, but you largely get what you pay for; simplicity and reliability.

Druva Security Cloud Feature Ratings

Enterprise Backup ()
Not Rated
Data Center Backup
10.0
Incremental backup identification
10
Backup to the cloud
10
Deduplication and file compression
10
Management dashboard
10
Retention options
10
Encryption
10

Druva inSync Support

I can't downvote this facet on account of my never having to call upon Druva's Tech Support. Self-help is always my first port of call and the documentation provided by Druva has allowed me to proceed to a point where I can confidently use the system. Even without support, I trust the system implicitly. That said, I'm pretty sure if and when I need it, it'll be awesome.

Using Druva inSync

I'm a sucker for software that does exactly what it says it will do, especially if said task is carried out with a minimum of fuss. Initial setup time for Druva Phoenix was minimal, job creation a cinch and monitoring of successful and unsuccessful backups as easy as you like. What's not to love about that?

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