Data Protection Manager

Data Protection Manager (DPM) is a disk-based data backup and recovery platform implemented as a stand-alone server (on top of Windows Server 2003). With the initial release (DPM 2006), the server protects files and shares from Windows 2000 Server, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Storage Server 2003 servers.

DPM combines data replication and snap-shot, point-in-time data saves with a scheduling engine and recovery tools, and enables users and administrators to access the DPM functions via a wizard-based GUI. The frequency of data replication (hourly, daily), the frequency of data snap shots--or "shadow copies"--as well as how many total snap shots (up to a maximum of 64 per volume) are stored by the server can be controlled by the administrator, with each snap shot needing to note only the changed data on the target servers since the previous copy. Both users (if so designated) and administrators can browse the stored file system snap shots to locate preferred versions of (or deleted) files they wish to restore.

Beneath the hood, DPM is an agent-based system in which agents are deployed (from the DPM management console) on the target file servers. These agents first replicate the selected data on the target servers to the DPM, and then continuously monitor and log all changes that occur on the servers. These changes are then replicated and stored on the DPM per the administrator's defined replication schedule. Administrators can define individual "protection groups," virtual groupings of namespace elements (servers or volumes) that can be treated as a single entity and therefore scheduled independently. DPM integrates with Active Directory (and in fact, both the DPM server and the file servers it protects must be members of the same Active Directory domain), and administrators can also enable or disable the ability of end-users to recover their own files (which they can do through Windows XP, Office 2003, or Windows Server 2003). AD integration also enables DPM to automatically note and alert the administrator when new, unprotected servers and shares are added to the network.

DPM 2006 is now available, the estimated retail price provided by Microsoft is $950 (one server license and the management licenses to protect three file servers).

Also now available is the 1st beta of Data Protection Manager version 2. New features in Data Protection Manager v2 include:

- Protection support for more applications and scenarios, including Exchange (E2k3 & E12) including E12 CCR and LCR clusters; SQL (2k3 & 2k5) including SQL 2005 mirrored clusters; SharePoint (WSS2.0 & WSS 3.0); and clustered file and clustered application servers

- Zero data loss recovery for applications; with replication schedules settable to 15 minute intervals and the ability to integrate point-in-time database restores with existing application logs for the recovery of Exchange, SQL, and SharePoint servers

- Reduced space requirements via de-duplication technology

- Bare Metal Recovery, including recovery to alternate hardware

DPM v2 is currently in beta; information on Microsoft's site indicates that general availability is tentatively scheduled for the 2nd half of 2007.

Visit the Microsoft Web site for further information.