Dell PowerProtect Data Domain serves as a backup repository for my customers, where I began implementation with Avamar, using Data Domain as the repository, and integrated it with the ECS platform for cloud archiving. However, I have not performed file solutions to back up or attach directly to clients' PCs, as all backups end up on Dell PowerProtect Data Domain.

Most use cases for Dell PowerProtect Data Domain as a backup repository are in VMware backup environments, where I integrate it with IDPA, Avamar, and Veeam by installing proxies inside the VMware environment and performing all backup restoration tests and processes as needed. Although I have only performed replication once, in some cases I have installed agents inside Windows servers or customer PCs to perform agent backup or file backups.

Regarding my main use case with Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, I have not encountered any issues, though I would perform a replication scenario if the opportunity arose. Unfortunately, our customers in LatAm are not large enough for such projects, as their architectures typically involve active-passive or active-active setups for servers and storage, but not for backup solutions, which presents a challenge in educating customers on the need for proper disaster recovery or business continuity architectures.

What I value most about Dell PowerProtect Data Domain are its deduplication features, as the amount of information that can be stored is quite impressive. I also appreciate the DD Boost protocol for its enhancements and integration with other platforms, and I recall a provider using that protocol to improve the transportation layer, along with the data-at-rest encryption that protects all information inside Dell PowerProtect Data Domain. Primarily, the standout feature is the DD Boost protocol.

The DD Boost protocol improves my workflow with Dell PowerProtect Data Domain by using a native communication protocol, which allows for faster information transfer without protocol translations. Its integration with Dell's other products like Avamar is beneficial, and the openness of DD Boost enables compatibility with other vendors, making it important for customers with large information volumes to store efficiently and perform both backups and restorations with ease.

The impact of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain on my organization has been significant, particularly because its integration with Avamar and Veeam allows for instant recovery where the disk of VMs runs on Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, facilitating an easier restoration or recovery process since I can simply perform a vMotion to recover the VM.

I cannot quantify the exact time saved, but I have two scenarios with customers needing to restore large VMs. The ability to restore these in a few minutes is a remarkable improvement compared to the hours typically required for the whole restore process.

The significance of having fast backup and recovery solutions with Dell PowerProtect Data Domain for my organization revolves around business continuity, focusing on how quickly I can help customers get back on track.

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is currently well-developed, and at this moment, I cannot think of any improvements needed.

I have been using Dell PowerProtect Data Domain for approximately eight years, implementing backup solutions and installing it as a repository for backups, including integrations with Veeam.

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is stable; however, stability does depend on the customer's infrastructure and network setup. In terms of support, implementation, and maintenance, it is very predictable and easy to maintain in a positive sense.

The scalability of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is impressive, as you can add expansion shelves that significantly increase capacity.

The customer support experience I have had with Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is quite good, characterized by fast service and a support team that resolves issues in a short time.

In my ten years of experience, I have not used a different solution. We explored alternatives but remained with Dell PowerProtect Data Domain.

I perceive a return on investment from Dell PowerProtect Data Domain in terms of the valuable time saved for every customer, emphasizing that time is indeed valuable.

Pricing, setup cost, and licensing are not my areas of expertise, as I mainly focus on implementation engineering.

Before choosing Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, we did not evaluate other options, as we consistently opt for Dell PowerProtect Data Domain.

I advise those considering Dell PowerProtect Data Domain to try it out, as there are various products on the market, but Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is easy to use, easy to install, and integrates well with the customer's environment, boasting spectacular backup and restore capabilities. I recommend conducting a proof of concept of the product. I have rated this product a ten.

My role in using or managing Dell PowerProtect Data Domain involves overseeing its implementation and operation. The significance of having fast backup and recovery solutions for my organization when using Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is that when you actually need it, it works efficiently. We have the ability to live restore, so we do not have to wait until the restore is fully finished.

The features of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain that I value the most include the simplicity of deployment, which is one key feature, and the data reduction we achieve on our appliances compared to other solutions.

The impact that Dell PowerProtect Data Domain has had on my organization's security is significant as the appliance comes with built-in security features, allowing us to limit access to the appliance, whereas with other solutions, we have to do that ourselves. With the Cyber Recovery Vault, we get an air-gapped solution.

The impact that Dell PowerProtect Data Domain has had on my organization's data backup efficiency is notable, as the data reduction is a major benefit.

I believe Dell PowerProtect Data Domain can be improved, but I do not have specific examples I would want to see in the next release.

I have been using Dell PowerProtect Data Domain for approximately four to five years.

I rate customer service and technical support at a nine out of ten, as there is always room for improvement, but at this moment, I do not have any major complaints about the support services. They are always able to help us when needed, and the responsiveness of the support team is excellent.

Prior to adopting Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, we were using a build-your-own solution, which was a backup to disk solution where we repurposed a server with disks and used it as a repository for our backup solution.

My experience with pricing, setup costs, and licensing is that at first, it obviously costs more than a simple setup where you bring your own resources. However, after a while, I see the return on investment regarding maintenance and lifecycle management and operating in a day two scenario, which is where the real savings work.

I also rate Dell PowerProtect Data Domain a nine out of ten. My advice for someone considering trying it is to be open to a new solution, give it a try, and see what it actually does. I would rate this solution a nine overall.

I use Dell PowerProtect Data Domain for direct backups with PPDM, PowerProtect Data Manager, but the core of my work involves direct API backups from databases.

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is one of my favorite products from Dell, so it's difficult for me to answer with just one particular feature. However, the ease of use and ease of management stand out. DDMC makes life easy, and the setup process is straightforward. The ability to monitor live performance as it streams allows me to know exactly if something is wrong with my machine and what commands to run. The graphical user interface is just as good as the CLI. As an old-school CLI user, I love the CLI with Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, and those are my favorite things.

That is an important consideration. We are developing our cyber response by taking best practices from Dell and applying those to Dell PowerProtect Data Domain to ensure they are hardened as much as possible. To be honest, we rely on our resilience and our speed to recover. That is a big key for us, and Dell PowerProtect Data Domain has always held that end of the bargain up for us.

Reporting is difficult from a graphical user standpoint. Additionally, the REST API capabilities, although they continue to improve, could be enhanced. Developing a better reporting tool specifically for Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is what I would prioritize.

I have been using Dell PowerProtect Data Domain for about 20 years out of my 25-year career. With my current company, I have had Dell PowerProtect Data Domain in place for the 13 years that I have been present there.

The ability to respond to an outage immediately is critical. I want to get the system back up and running, and I know what our performance numbers are with Dell PowerProtect Data Domain. Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is a very consistent product.

The all-flash option is intriguing. I am still somewhat hesitant about the price points on those systems, but given the current state of the industry, it is difficult to consider that at the moment. Data reduction is key when I am evaluating products for backup because I need that efficiency for the number of backups I want to maintain to reduce costs for the company. This is a very big deciding factor for us.

With Dell, I would give a rating of 10. I am part of the DSE program, Designated Support Engineers. I believe that every company should offer a program like that. It is an extension of your team itself, and I have been more than pleased with the support I have received from them.

From a database standpoint, Dell PowerProtect Data Domain has always been my tool of choice. I have explored other options, including Cohesity, Rubrik, VAST, NetApp, and Commvault. I am always evaluating because that is part of my job function. However, I always put those options through a study and consider return on investment at the end of the day.

Cost is always a factor for companies in my position. During an open review of different products, my support team and sales team at Dell were able to work with me to understand what I was looking for and the cost reductions I needed. I believe that everyone won out from this arrangement because Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is now my platform for the next five years. I just refreshed the whole fleet, so I am in good standing. I worked everything out with the sales team, and I am very happy with the outcome.

Management, speed—not only the speed of backup but the speed of recovery, more importantly—security, and automation are all critical factors. There are many more considerations, but those are some of the top five that I really consider.

I would recommend making a list from an evaluation standpoint of what you consider to be your needs and evaluating it thoroughly. From a numbers standpoint, I can tell you that Dell PowerProtect Data Domain will stand out. Let the technology do the talking. When you get started, it is challenging because the sales team will pitch information to you. I suggest testing it yourself, and the numbers will speak for themselves.

The reason I stay with Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is because of these factors, which is why I give this review a rating of 10.

I am a partner reseller. Three people work with Dell PowerProtect Data Domain in my company. Clients are mostly banks and government institutions. In terms of size, since our country is not big, we have customers that can be in the range of medium or sometimes small. We do not have really big appliances, but the mid-range can be perfect.

The best features of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain are the deduplication, which is one of the best products in this aspect. Another best feature is DD Boost, a protocol that you can integrate with backup applications, and the performance and integration with backup applications is really nice. It works perfectly, and with the new features that have been developed, such as immutable backups, these are really good, but in my opinion, the deduplication is the best feature.

The maintenance of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is quite easy, and the parts that most fail are disks, but usually clients keep some spares, or we as partners have some spares or have parts that are in stock, so we do not have to wait too much for the support to bring the parts. Also, the opening of the cases with support is quite easy, and the notifications when there are issues are really useful.

I think stability is also rated at nine. I rate the reliability of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain a perfect ten.

Maybe the price is an area for improvement in Dell PowerProtect Data Domain. In terms of technical parts, it is really good and it is really easy to implement and to integrate with backup products, but sometimes, for example, if the clients have a tight budget, it can be more expensive compared to some QNAP or NAS backup solutions that are cheaper. However, if the client wants a really good and long-term solution, Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is really good.

I have been using Dell PowerProtect Data Domain for about ten or more years. Since this product has been called Data Domain, now it has been changed to PowerProtect, it has been approximately ten years.

There are no significant challenges with Dell PowerProtect Data Domain to mention; it is easy to implement and to maintain, and I have clients who are using this product for more than seven or up to ten years. The only parts that need to be replaced from time to time are disks, with no other parts.

I think vendor support is an eight point five, somewhere around there, but I would rate it a nine.

It is quite easy to deploy Dell PowerProtect Data Domain if, for example, a client knows what they want. For example, if they want to integrate only with Veeam or with Avamar, it is quite easy to integrate. However, if they want more advanced configurations, it can take more time, but startup and implementation of all the features that are needed to work around is quite easy.

I have different roles in using and managing Dell PowerProtect Data Domain for clients. Currently, my primary role is designing of the solution, so I do the sizing and I do the technical specifications or technical offers. I have colleagues in my team that do the implementations; however, when my role was only as an engineer, I did also the implementation part. I have been working with Dell PowerProtect Data Domain in different roles, from pre-sales up to the support phase, and I think in this category or in this type of primary backup appliances, this is the number one.

I usually compare Dell PowerProtect Data Domain with StoreOnce of HPE, so it is in that category. However, sometimes Dell wants also to sell Avamar together with Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, which is not really a good product. If you integrate with Veeam or with other backup solutions that are more user-friendly, it is also a good product. With Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, which integrates backup and software and hardware, we do not usually sell that product; we just sell the Dell PowerProtect Data Domain hardware, and usually clients have different backup software that they use. The product, Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, is mostly used to store the backups.

In terms of hardware, I think Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is one of the best products, but for backup software like Avamar or NetWorker, I think they are not really good compared to solutions like Veeam, Rubrik, or Cohesity. For example, Avamar is not very user-friendly to configure with Microsoft Hyper-V, but if we configure it with VMware, it is quite easy.

I think this is the best product in the market for data reduction because I have clients who buy, for example, one hundred terabytes of capacity, and the reduction ratio is great, allowing them to store much more backups. In terms of rating, this is the top. I would highly recommend Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, and if someone wants a long-term solution for backups and to have peace of mind regarding the backup part, this is the best product. You configure it and just monitor it without worrying about the hardware or any issues because it is a really good product. I rate this product a nine overall.

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is used for connecting it to our backup system, which is Veeam in this case. It serves as the storage for the backup application, and it has many capabilities that enhance the storage and availability. A key feature is deduplication that saves space. Dell PowerProtect Data Domain functions as a storage system.

The significance of having fast backup and recovery solutions for our organization when using Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is that it helps with the restoration process of any machines that aim to be backed up or even for machines that are planned to be backed up to this storage solution. It performs well for backup. Our main goal is to use it as a storage system to connect with Veeam, which is backup software. Veeam is backup software and Dell PowerProtect Data Domain serves as both storage software and hardware.

I have been using Dell PowerProtect Data Domain for three years and a half, and it has delivered excellent reliability and deduplication efficiency and backup performance. The platform is stable, scalable, and integrates smoothly with our enterprise backup environment, which is Veeam. It has many replication and disaster recovery capabilities that are particularly valuable for maintaining business continuity. Deployment and licensing can be complex, but the overall experience has been highly positive.

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is good for long-term backup retention. Banks tend to have long-term backup retention policies, some for three years and others for five years. The efficiency is fast, and it all comes down to whether the configuration is set up properly and tuned. It performs well for retention, recovery, restoration, and availability, along with its functionality and scalability.

The data reduction capabilities of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain all-flash solution are the main interesting feature. The deduplication technology differs from one system to another. For example, some systems may show 20x deduplication, while others show less or more, depending on the type of data stored, the complexity of the data, and the type of operating system that hosts it. The overall performance is perfect.

Each solution has its pros and cons regarding Dell PowerProtect Data Domain. Regarding the cons, it has high licensing and expansion costs. The initial setup and configuration can be complex. It requires experienced administrators for advanced management, and there is a significant area to improve in the UI and reporting. Hardware upgrades can be expensive, and maintenance contracts are costly. It can be oversized for small environments.

Anyone looking to purchase Dell PowerProtect Data Domain solution should be aware that it requires experienced administrators for advanced management. The UI and reporting are not user-friendly and could be more modern. It is essential for anyone making an initial setup or purchasing the solution to have staff certified by Dell.

I have been working with Dell PowerProtect Data Domain for three years and a half.

We have never had a faulty module in Dell PowerProtect Data Domain solution itself; it is smooth and fast. You can depend on it to store data, but when troubleshooting or configuring something new, it is not a one-click solution. You need to understand what is happening.

While we are expanding the capacity used on the product itself. When you purchase the product for the first time, it comes with a single module, which is hardware, and an expansion module filled with hard disks. However, you cannot use it without the appropriate licenses. To unlock more storage, you need to pay for the licenses for the storage you already own. For now, we are focusing on the software side and have to invest a lot of money for an extra 20 terabytes.

The customer service and technical support of Dell is great.

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain has been installed in our data center since before I started with this bank. The fact that we have not considered replacing it with another solution in three years and a half proves it is performing well for our data center and backup needs.

The initial setup of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is complex due to extensive cabling and extensive board configuration required to get it running. You have to navigate through a lot of documents for the initial setup.

When we purchase something, the deployment is done by a third-party company. We establish an SLA and a contract, and they manage the entire process of installation, configuration, and training. They partner with Dell and are responsible for delivering the solution, configuring it, and handling the first-line support tickets when issues arise. Sometimes we open a case with Dell for further assistance.

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is cost-effective for the enterprise, but it is not cheap; it is quite expensive, even for the enterprise. However, it is worth it.

The initial setup and configuration can be complex. It has high licensing and expansion costs. Licensing costs are significant for unlocking more storage.

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain meets the goal of purchasing this solution. It is an excellent deduplication technology and is reliable and stable for enterprise backup environments. It is fast, and the restore performance is also fast. The replication and disaster recovery features are more than enough for enterprise environments, and it scales well.

We have gone through three investments in Dell PowerProtect Data Domain. The first one was in 2020 when we purchased Dell PowerProtect Data Domain for the first time with the model being 6,300. One year ago, we replaced it with the 6,400, which is a newer hardware model. We also use Dell PowerProtect Data Domain in a solution called Dell Cyber Recovery, which is isolated and requires Dell PowerProtect Data Domain in an isolated environment. The third module is located in our DR site, which replicates the main site to Dell PowerProtect Data Domain in the DR site.

I would rate this product eight out of ten.

I use Dell PowerProtect Data Domain to take backups in the Data Domain.

The best features I have observed in Dell PowerProtect Data Domain are the exception handling capabilities. For example, if any file is marked as quarantine or is suspicious, it can be excluded from the backup so the backup is not interrupted, allowing me to use the backup applications without any exceptions. Exceptions can also be excluded from the backup process, and that is one of the good components that I have seen.

The graphical interface has been quite easy to understand for people who are beginners and even for those who have good experience in backup applications. The method that Dell uses for the proxy servers and proxy application appliances is a good technology. The graphical interface and options that they are providing, as compared to other backup applications, have a more advanced level of functionality that I can utilize.

In terms of areas for improvement, I have not observed any significant issues with the product. The product is very good, and there are multiple options that I can use to utilize it in a perfect manner. If there would be any room for improvement, AI is one of the leading technologies in the market, so AI implementation should be considered. I would recommend that in the future, AI could diagnose any bugs or problems and provide recommendations. If this AI integration were integrated with this product, it could provide further enhancement.

I have been using the solution for around one and a half years.

Since I deployed it six months ago and until now, I have not observed any major issues. It is a very stable product, so I would rate it around eight to nine.

I assess the scalability of this solution as a nine.

I would rate Dell technical support as a nine because they are very good.

I deployed Dell PowerProtect Data Domain at the on-premises level, but the cloud solution is also easy to implement. There are simple options for the cloud deployment, and to enable the cloud feature, I only needed to define my subscription details and bucket details so that all files can be stored at the cloud level as well. It is not very complex.

For deployment, if starting from scratch where the Data Domain boxes are mounted into the rack, I needed to perform the cabling and then deploy the appliances. If deploying it granularly, it may take a maximum of two days, but not the entire day. I spent just two to five hours to deploy everything.

When comparing Dell PowerProtect Data Domain with other solutions or vendors, I can provide a detailed comparison. I previously used the Veeam backup solution, and the graphical interface in Veeam is very small, but in Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, its graphical dashboard and the other components are very visible and easy to understand.

In terms of efficiency, the backup application functionality is almost the same regardless of which company's backup application I use. However, when switching to Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, compared with others, it has more granularity, allowing me to utilize features in exception handling. The deployment procedure, which I deployed myself, is not very complex. The job scheduling can be defined based on my requirements, whether I need bare-metal backup or file-level backup.

Regarding the data reduction capabilities of the all-flash DD solution, I have not noticed much difference, and I cannot commit to any specific observations on that aspect.

About pricing and costing, these are considerations that were not at my level, so I cannot comment extensively on those aspects.

Regarding advice for others looking to implement this product, I highly recommend Dell PowerProtect Data Domain. If any organization is looking for a backup solution, this one is a really good solution from Dell. In terms of users, counting the virtual machines, I have taken backups of around 200 machines. I work with multiple customers, so it is not about 200, 500, or 300 machines in isolation, but the maximum backup I have taken is from approximately 200 machines. My clients are all medium to enterprise level, not small organizations.

The solution does not require complex maintenance. It is very easy to manage, and if any update or upgrade has been released, those managing the application conduct health checks every three to six months. During that period, if any upgrade has been released by Dell and if it is part of the warranty, I can raise the case to them, and they will help with the upgrade or any patching solution. I would highly rate this solution a 10 and recommend it to anyone considering implementing this product.

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is mainly used for backup as a target for backup. Previously, I was working in Veeam, and nowadays, I am working with Commvault. For both backup software options, the target for the backup is Dell PowerProtect Data Domain.

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain has multiple valuable functions. The DD Boost protocol is very fast in backup and while data is being transferred to Dell PowerProtect Data Domain. It is a very fast protocol. Additionally, I am using the immutability features built-in in Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, so that the backup copies are immutable. No one can edit or delete them anymore unless the retention period is over. I think those two functions are the best in Dell PowerProtect Data Domain.

The main benefits I receive from Dell PowerProtect Data Domain save time for me because of the time of backup. For example, I have reduced the backup window. Once I began working with Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, it is very fast storage, especially while the backup is being taken. The backup window has been reduced by more than 30%. In my case, I am moving data over the WAN. The speed of the backup has reduced the bandwidth and the time being taken, resulting in cost reduction. From a pricing point of view, I think it is sufficient and good for me. It is the most reasonable option for my case.

In my opinion, for the version I am using of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, I am not sure if there is another version that will have the functionality I will discuss. I need them to add the air-gapped technology to Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, as some other vendors have. The air-gapped technology is very important.

I have been working with Dell PowerProtect Data Domain for more than five years.

The stability of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is rated at nine. It is very stable.

The scalability of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is good for scale-up. I have two models of scale: scale-up or scale-out. For scale-up, it is very good. However, for scale-out, I am not sure they are doing this effectively. I think they have an issue with scale-out by adding multiple controllers and multiple bays, for example.

The technical support for Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is very helpful. I have created multiple tickets with them and they have a very fast response time with very good technicalities. They are brilliant in all aspects.

Dell's response time and quality are very fast and very good.

The initial setup for Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is very simple. One of my team members completed it on his own. He did not even want support in any of its operations. It is very simple. All operations, such as upgrading firmware, initializing it, and making a target, are very easy.

I purchased Dell PowerProtect Data Domain through a partner. It was through one of their partners in Egypt.

Pure Storage is the most similar option to Dell PowerProtect Data Domain. Pure Storage is a very powerful storage system that came to the market recently. I am sure they started with the end goal in mind compared to other competitors. They are very intelligent and they have integrated all other vendors' functionalities inside their product. I have not used it, but I have attended some seminars and webinars for them. They speak about very good technology.

For the same reasons I have mentioned that Dell needs to address, I would select Pure Storage because it has built-in air-gap technology and I think it is the only storage that came with all-flash SSD. Both features I am seeking for in Dell PowerProtect Data Domain already exist in Pure Storage. Regarding pricing, I think Pure Storage will take over Dell PowerProtect Data Domain.

I can recommend Dell PowerProtect Data Domain to other users. I would rate this review at six out of ten.

I am calling to complete our feedback and survey for this product. We have been using Dell PowerProtect Data Domain for about 10 years. We had an implementation of a 2200 model, but we should be receiving new devices that have been procured and are not yet delivered to us through an IPA project.

We had no additional licenses, no VTL or other add-ons; just an ordinary backup target with deduplication and compression. It is currently still employed and used as a long-term backup solution for the monthly backups.

What I appreciate about Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is that the deduplication is quite good and it simply works. It is quite insensitive to all the problems we have here in Bosnia.

The features in Dell PowerProtect Data Domain have greatly benefited our organization by allowing for easier and quicker backups and easier restores. We used different backup tools back then, and at the moment, we are using Veeam. It simply works. It is a simple tool that just works. Under the hood, all the complexity is mostly hidden from the users that use it.

I have not really noticed any drawbacks or downsides other than the price.

About 10 years.

Regarding Dell's technical support, since we did not have any need for it, I cannot complain or say anything because we had no problems with the device, and it simply works.

Over this period of time, over 10 years, I had no need for support.

Since the product works, I would rate the support at least nine.

Before, we were using Veeam more than 10 years back, and right now, we are planning a change, but due to procurement, I am unable to give more information.

The deployment of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain took about two days when it was implemented, and to change its purpose from the primary backup target to this kind of monthly secondary long-term archive, it took perhaps half a day.

It was quite quick and easy to do because our implementation is quite simple.

I and another contractor participated in the deployment.

We are a government agency, so regarding Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, return on investment is not something we do.

The implementation of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is not really difficult for us. It is just a backup target. I would rate this product overall as a 9.

I have implemented a couple of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain at the premises and we have integrated that appliance with Veeam backup solutions only.

Apart from that, I already worked on Avamar which was earlier part of EMC.

The cost is high now due to things such as SSD and memory prices being high in the current time. Earlier it was good and it would have been the best fit in the customer budget. So due to international price increases for the memory and the SSDs, it is currently a little bit costlier than the earlier one. But it doesn't matter. If we have an enterprise customer and their data is critical for them, then I think the price being high or low doesn't matter.

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain has a protocol which is a very good protocol. With the help of that particular OST protocol, we can take the backup in a very fast manner over the FC. That appliance is very good in comparison to HP StoreOnce. We can restore the data in a very minimal time because the data is transferring over the FC protocol, which is 32Gbps. I always recommend it to others who have huge data and they are continuously taking the backup onto external devices.

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain data backup transfer throughput and deduplication are exceptional because it works on the variable blocks. When we are using variable blocks, we can take the backup in a very fast manner and then we can save the storage space due to the deduplication functionality. The deduplication is very good, with a 20:1 ratio of deduplication, which is not available in other solutions such as HP.

The benefit of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is that we are storing the data in a very small footprint. Huge data can be stored in a very small storage capacity because the deduplication and the compression ratio is very good. This is the beauty. We do not need to spend more money, and then we can achieve cost saving at the drive level.

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is a perfect solution. I don't think we have to make any improvement to it. It is completely perfect for the enterprise-class customers. It is not meant for the smaller customer. When the data size is huge, it is always good for them to store the data in the terabyte or petabyte form.

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain can be integrated with other third-party backup software. We can integrate it with Commvault, we can integrate it with Veritas, we can integrate it with Veeam backup solutions, or Dell's own solution as well. It is a very good solution to integrate with others.

It is reducing the backup window since the backup transfer rate is very high, so we can complete the backup in very minimal time. The data is always transferring in a very fast manner over the iSCSI, FC protocol, iSCSI protocol, NFS protocol, or CIFS protocol as well. It depends on the customer environment. It can be easily fitted in their environment and then transfer the data for a shorter period of retention and a longer period of retention.

The data reduction policy is supposed to be 20:1. It is supposed to have a very good deduplication and compression ratio.

I think we have to involve the immutability functionality within the system so that we can use these storage boxes for the immutable purpose to store the data for a longer period of retention and to protect from ransomware attacks.

I'm working on Dell PowerProtect Data Domain since approximately eight years.

I think because it is a secondary storage, the downtime doesn't matter, because it is always available. It is a backup appliance only. Critical workload is not running on it. The critical workload always runs on the primary data storage, which is basically PowerMax or PowerStore. If it is not available, then it is a backup solution. Whenever it is available, then we can restore the data. I have not faced any challenges in the past with Dell PowerProtect Data Domain such as shutting down or stopping.

We can easily scale. We just have to get the capacity-based license for Dell PowerProtect Data Domain from Dell, and then we have to add disks to the physical appliance. If the physical appliance disk is full in that array, then we have to add another array and then put the disk within that particular array system. It is very easy to scale up to petabytes.

It is fantastic. We just have to raise a ticket, and immediately, we can get the response from them. There is no challenge with that.

For Dell PowerProtect Data Domain support, I will assign a nine for the support. Sometimes, earlier there was an issue where we had to call to the A&T and then we had to connect to Dell. Nowadays, we can connect directly to the Dell team and in a very minimal time, we can get the support from them.

I worked on PowerStore as well.

It is not complex. It is very easy. Nothing is tough in doing the setup of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain. Basically, we just have to access the Dell PowerProtect Data Domain appliance through the URL, then we can integrate it with any backup solution. It is not a complex solution.

We are getting the complete ROI. As I mentioned earlier, with the help of deduplication and compression, we have to invest less money than with other competitors. If the number of days or the footprints of the data are less than others, then obviously we can get the best ROI in that kind of situation.

This is very good and it can be integrated with any third-party backup solution. I always recommend going with it if the customer is an enterprise customer or it is basically a big SMB. I always recommend going with Dell PowerProtect Data Domain and then you can keep the last retention on to tape devices or some others for the longer period of retention. But initially, we have to keep the backup on Dell PowerProtect Data Domain. I always recommend that to others.

The pros are much more than the competitors. There is another competitor that is ExaGrid. The cost of the ExaGrid is a little bit lower than Dell PowerProtect Data Domain. That is the con. They have to reduce the cost. But when you talk about the deduplication and compression ratio, then obviously Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is at the highest level. We can get the highest level of deduplication and compression and then reduce the footprint. If we reduce the physical footprint, we can save money and we can save energy. These are basically the pros of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain. Apart from that, when we have to compare it with StoreOnce, then again, it can be integrated with other protocols apart from Catalyst. Catalyst is the main core protocol which is basically part of HP StoreOnce. Dell PowerProtect Data Domain can be more feasible to run with any other OEM backup solutions.

We are using Dell PowerEdge server, which is a rack-based server, that is 760 and 760xs, and some servers are 660 and 660xs as well.

I work with the physical Dell PowerProtect Data Domain boxes. There are multiple versions. It is available in the VE format, which is a virtual format. Another one is the physical appliance. For the testing purpose or for the POC, we can use the VE version. If the data size is not huge, then again, we can use the VE version, which is a virtualized appliance. If the data size is heavy, then we have to always recommend going with the Dell PowerProtect Data Domain physical appliance only.

I would rate this product a ten out of ten.