Backup Exec 2010 R2 is a release that represents Symantec’s ongoing commitment to product quality, platform support and ease of doing business. Whether you are just joining the Backup Exec family or if you are just curious about why now is a great time to upgrade your existing Backup Exec installation, Backup Exec 2010 R2 is THE place to start!
So…what’s new in R2?
Backup Exec 2010 R2 focuses on three major themes:
PROTECT SOONER:
Backup Exec 2010 R2 has taken great strides to ensure that their customers are able to not only install and/or upgrade with confidence, but to also ensure that they are able to begin protecting your data as soon as possible post installation and/or upgrade. Symantec have created several tools based on customers direct feedback in usability studies, forum posts and beta program participation.
Typical installation
Backup Exec 2010 R2 now includes a “typical” installation choice that allows you to accept the most common Backup Exec defaults in order to get installed and running as quickly as possible. Through research in Symantecs support database they realised that many customers shared a common set of installation parameters and as such they are now offering the "typical" installation to meet the needs of the most common Backup Exec.
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Improved backup wizard
Symantec have also completely redesigned the in-product backup wizard to ask realistic questions including: What to back up? Where to store the backup? When to run the backup? How long to keep the backup? Through their customers' participation in usability studies Symantec realised that by asking the “real” questions of data protection they could guarantee an easier backup job creation process and a more comprehensive backup overall that is more of a tailored fit to your environment.
Upgrade “roll back”
Finally, Backup Exec 2010 R2 also now has the ability to “roll back” in the event of an incomplete upgrade. Symantec customers have spoken loud and clear about how important an easy and successful upgrade process is to their environment but also that a means to “reverse” or “roll back” the upgrade in the event of an incomplete installation and/or migration of Backup Exec data.
PROTECT SMARTER
Backup Exec 2010 R2 now contains many new features to ensure that you are aware of when your maintenance contract is up for renewal, that you are up to date on the latest Backup Exec news and also that you are using the correct Backup Exec database and/or application agent to protect your mission-critical business data.
Renewal Assistant
In order to remain current on Backup Exec maintenance, Backup Exec 2010 R2 introduces a new integrated “Renewal Assistant” to the home screen of the product. The Renewal Assistant uses an active internet connection and Backup Exec maintenance serial numbers (found on your licensing certificate) to connect to symantec’s maintenance database. The maintenance database will then in turn populate Backup Exec with renewal reminders that are useful to facilitate the maintenance renewal process.
Integrated RSS Reader
In order to stay updated on the latest Backup Exec news, technical forum posts, ideas and events, Backup Exec 2010 R2 now includes the “RSS Reader”, located on the Home screen. This very rich RSS reader not only keeps you up to date on Backup Exec news but it also allows you to track any item on the Symantec CONNECT website: http://www.symantec.com/connect/
Backup Recommendations
Very often we see customers that are not properly protecting Microsoft Exchange, SQL, SharePoint and Active Directory via provided backup API’s but rather are using either the incorrect agent or are taking the Microsoft application offline and protecting it in a “flat file” state- all the while having to disconnect users from the application. In order to ensure that you are getting the most out of Backup Exec and taking advantage of the enormous time and space saving single-pass backups with Granular Recovery Technology (GRT) and a true application-consistent backup, Backup Exec 2010 R2 now provides “Backup Recommendations” in a small section of the job log as well as in a specialized report that may be run independently of a backup job.
PROTECT MORE
In Backup Exec 2010 R2 Symantec support many new and updated applications/databases/platforms including:
- Microsoft SharePoint 2010
- Microsoft Exchange 2010 SP1
- Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2
- VMware vSphere 4.1
- Mac OS X Snow Leopard
- Microsoft Exchange 2010 SP1
- Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2
- VMware vSphere 4.1
- Mac OS X Snow Leopard (10.6)
- Symantec Enterprise Vault 9
- NetApp ONTAP 8.0
- EMC DART 6.0
- OST support for Data Domain DDOS 4.8 with Boost Technology (via the Backup Exec 2010 Deduplication Option)