vProtect Guide – How to use Object Storage (cloud providers) as a backup target

In the context of data protection, the backup destination is the place where you store your data. Depending on the nature of the stored data, you can choose the appropriate storage type to suit your needs. vProtect offers many integration possibilities also in this area, because each data center differs in architecture, size and needs.

Object storage is one of the available forms of data storage, supported by vProtect. In a short tutorial you will see how to integrate vProtect with a selected storage provider in a few simple steps.

What is an object storage and why to use it as a backup destination?

The basic definition of object storage is defined as the system in which the data is stored on a flat plane called a “storage pool.” Unlike file or block storage, object storage does not use a hierarchy or directory tree. Objects stored in an isolated warehouse with all relevant metadata and a custom identifier.

The object storage characteristics are ideally suited to the cloud storage infrastructure which is usually provided via the Internet as a Storage as a Service (SaaS) application. Using HTTP as the primary access protocol for object storage pools simplifies the process a lot.

Cloud storage has changed the rules for implementing a simpler, infinitely scalable and more affordable storage. The object storage characteristics are ideally suited to the cloud storage infrastructure, providing excellent quality, better scalability, availability, and affordability.

1. Scalability

Object storage is known for its unlimited scalability (for example: capacity-on-demand). Thanks to the flat structure, object storage does not have the same restrictions as file or block memory. Hierarchical systems often face complications when it comes to scaling. Fortunately, object-based storage systems do not have a directory hierarchy or “tree”, and the location of the object does not have to be determined in such a way as to know the file directory path to get it.

2. Faster and better recovery

Each object in the storage environment has its own identification data, consisting of metadata and ID number, which the operating system reads to retrieve the data. Access is much faster without having to search file structures. Having unrestricted metadata also allows storage administrators to implement their own backup and retention policies. This, along with the way the storage nodes are distributed throughout the structure, makes it easier create better disaster recovery strategies.

3. Cost-effectiveness of Cloud Storage

For organizations that need to store large amounts of data, an object-based system can be the most cost-effective. Because it scales out much easier than other storage environments Storing all data is cheaper. Besides, data volumes are much more durable than other systems that are considered inexpensive. The savings also result from an easier management process, no hardware maintenance required, and no vendor lock-in compared to outdated file systems that power traditional NAS and SAN arrays.

Steps	Example screen
Select the backup destination that you want to connect.
When you chose the convenient option, in our case it is AWS S3, you need to complete the fields required for integration.
After successful integration, we can choose this option for backups.
All tasks that vProtect performs automatically or on demand are visible in the Task Console.
After the backup, we can see the changes in the Amazon S3 console.
If we are able to verify that the process was successful, it is time to automate the processes and recovery tests..