HYCU Integrates with Nutanix Mine

Streamlined and More Flexible HCI for Backup

In a world of infrastructure and application sprawl, consolidation is becoming a popular topic to reduce complexity and costs. We have seen steps forward in production environments, driven in no small part by hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI), but secondary storage has been largely left out of the conversation. The lack of secondary storage consolidation is a major pain point. Growing retention requirements, more splintered access requirements and recovery service level agreements require a more diverse blend of infrastructure. Some HCI backup appliances are emerging, but these threaten to create another infrastructure silo if not implemented correctly. Also, the software can potentially lock the organization into a particular underlying infrastructure and limit scalability.

Introducing Nutanix Mine with HYCU

HYCU is an inaugural partner with Nutanix for the latter’s Mine backup appliances. Nutanix Mine appliances integrate Nutanix partners’ backup software with Nutanix’s HCI data fabric and Enterprise Cloud Platform software, on Supermicro server hardware. The hyperconverged backup appliances are intended to provide holistic data lifecycle management, while streamlining deployment and management. The HYCU Nutanix Mine appliances utilize HYCU’s data protection software, and will be available in a 2U, 96TB configuration with a 200 VM HYCU software configuration, as well as in a 4U, 192TB configuration with a 400 VM HYCU software subscription. HYCU software license agreements may be for one to five years. The appliances are slated to be available in 2H19.

HYCU complements Nutanix capabilities including cloning, compression, data deduplication, data tiering, replication and snapshots, with backup software competencies. HYCU aims to differentiate by providing more complete coverage than alternative Mine partners. It supports the full spectrum of Nutanix’s data protection capabilities, and it natively integrates with Nutanix Volumes and Nutanix Files alike to support any application or workload running on Nutanix infrastructure. Additionally, it also can back up physical servers as well as non-Nutanix virtualized environments (including those running on VMware). One of the key value propositions is that, because it natively integrates with Nutanix, IT can centrally manage all backup infrastructures, as well as all production infrastructures, through the Nutanix Prism management console. HYCU software deploys automatically, then autoconfigures the solution (including the backup target) and autodiscovers applications. This simplifies and accelerates deployment. The solution will be sold through Nutanix channel partners as a single SKU, and it will be jointly supported by HYCU and Nutanix.

HYCU for Nutanix 4.0

HYCU has also added a number of support capabilities for Nutanix with its Version 4.0 software update. Where previously the customer needed to manage HYCU and Nutanix implementations from separate dashboards, now they can manage both from a single user interface. It also now supports the NFS storage protocol, which Nutanix recently added, including Change File Tracking (CFT) and the ability to exclude specific folders from the backup job. HYCU can facilitate granular recovery of files and folders, as well as application-level backup and recovery. All of this helps to comply with data privacy regulations and eDiscovery requests. HYCU also now supports Nutanix’s NearSync continuous replication capability, as well as Nutanix Buckets object storage.

Looking beyond Nutanix environments, HYCU has taken a number of steps including optimizing compression and block-level restores to better support cloud backup targets by minimizing data transfer. It also now supports stand-alone Windows physical server environments and brings features like automatic application discovery and backup configuration to those environments.

StorageSwiss Take

With the likes of Rubrik, Cohesity, and Dell Technologies’ new Power Protect and Nutanix’s new Mine appliances, the market for converged and hyperconverged backup infrastructure is quickly becoming crowded. HYCU’s primary differentiator is its ability to back up not only to a Nutanix environment, but also to VMware and other non-Nutanix environments. It does this intelligently, based on the application’s needs and the available backup targets. When it comes to streamlining manageability and eliminating guesswork as well as human error, this approach will go far.

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About Krista Macomber

Senior Analyst, Krista Macomber produces analyst commentary and contributes to a range of client deliverables including white papers, webinars and videos for Storage Switzerland. She has a decade of experience covering all things storage, data center and cloud infrastructure, including: technology and vendor portfolio developments; customer buying behavior trends; and vendor ecosystems, go-to-market positioning, and business models. Her previous experience includes leading the IT infrastructure practice of analyst firm Technology Business Research, and leading market intelligence initiatives for media company TechTarget.