
Dell PowerProtect Data Domain Virtual Edition for AWS
Backup success has reached 99.9% and protects data efficiently with fast, immutable storage
What is our primary use case?
My main use case for Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is as a data backup target.
What is most valuable?
The features of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain that I like the most are the immutability, speed, and deduplication, which saves us a lot of money on storage costs.
The impact that Dell PowerProtect Data Domain has made on my organization is more efficient backups, a 99.9 percent backup success rate, and no data recovery issues in the last twenty years.
What needs improvement?
To improve Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, I would suggest making it cheaper.
I would like to see the ability to use more back end data ports as a new feature.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Dell PowerProtect Data Domain since it first came out.
How are customer service and support?
I would rate customer service technical support an eight out of ten because sometimes there is a language barrier when talking to offshore support.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Prior to adopting Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, I was not using any other solutions to address the issues.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I do not deal with pricing, setup cost, and licensing for Dell PowerProtect Data Domain; I simply inform my manager, and he signs the check.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
The other solutions I considered before selecting Dell PowerProtect Data Domain were Rubrik, Veeam, and Cohesity.
What other advice do I have?
It would be beneficial to make support easier to access.
Data protection has transformed backups and now delivers rapid recoveries for critical workloads
What is our primary use case?
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 is most valuable?
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.
What needs improvement?
Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is currently well-developed, and at this moment, I cannot think of any improvements needed.
For how long have I used the solution?
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.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
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.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is impressive, as you can add expansion shelves that significantly increase capacity.
How are customer service and support?
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.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
In my ten years of experience, I have not used a different solution. We explored alternatives but remained with Dell PowerProtect Data Domain.
What was our ROI?
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.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Pricing, setup cost, and licensing are not my areas of expertise, as I mainly focus on implementation engineering.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Before choosing Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, we did not evaluate other options, as we consistently opt for Dell PowerProtect Data Domain.
What other advice do I have?
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.
Fast recovery and secure data vaulting have transformed our backup operations
What is our primary use case?
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.
What is most valuable?
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.
What needs improvement?
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.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Dell PowerProtect Data Domain for approximately four to five years.
How are customer service and support?
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.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
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.
What was our ROI?
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.
What other advice do I have?
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.
Data protection has become resilient and management is simple for rapid recoveries
What is our primary use case?
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.
What is most valuable?
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.
What needs improvement?
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.
For how long have I used the solution?
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.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
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.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
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.
How are customer service and support?
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.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
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.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
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.
What other advice do I have?
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.
Data reduction has delivered long‑term reliable backups for banking and government clients
What is our primary use case?
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.
What is most valuable?
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.
What needs improvement?
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.
For how long have I used the solution?
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.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
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.
How are customer service and support?
I think vendor support is an eight point five, somewhere around there, but I would rate it a nine.
How was the initial setup?
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.
What about the implementation team?
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.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
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.
What other advice do I have?
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.
Fast backups and deep deduplication have protected long‑term retention and reliable recovery
What is our primary use case?
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.
What is most valuable?
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.
What needs improvement?
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.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with Dell PowerProtect Data Domain for three years and a half.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
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.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
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.
How are customer service and support?
The customer service and technical support of Dell is great.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
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.
How was the initial setup?
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.
What about the implementation team?
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.
What was our ROI?
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.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The initial setup and configuration can be complex. It has high licensing and expansion costs. Licensing costs are significant for unlocking more storage.
What other advice do I have?
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.
Backup management has become granular and handles exceptions without disrupting operations
What is our primary use case?
I use Dell PowerProtect Data Domain to take backups in the Data Domain.
What is most valuable?
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.
What needs improvement?
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.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for around one and a half years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
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.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I assess the scalability of this solution as a nine.
How are customer service and support?
I would rate Dell technical support as a nine because they are very good.
How was the initial setup?
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.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
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.
What other advice do I have?
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.
Advanced data protection has strengthened cyber resilience and delivers faster, space‑saving backups
What is our primary use case?
We have been distributing Dell PowerProtect Data Domain for more than 10 years. I can say that normally for backups and recovery solutions, data protection, cyber resiliency, and cyber recovery solutions, this is what our clients are using Dell PowerProtect Data Domain for.
What is most valuable?
The biggest advantages in Dell PowerProtect Data Domain are security, cybersecurity, cyber resiliency, and the deduplication ratio. The deduplication technology in Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is very powerful compared to the competition.
Regarding the analytics part, we have a dashboard with a significant amount of details, and this now includes Cloud IQ, which is named AIOps. It collects telemetry data and starts using a cloud or an AI-based engine to provide suggestions based on user behavior or how the device is functioning.
When it comes to the backup and recovery performance in terms of speed and reliability, Dell PowerProtect Data Domain uses an in-line deduplication method and SSDs for caching. The ingest power or throughput is huge compared to writing to a regular disk. For customers with a short backup window and a huge amount of data, I suggest Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, as deduplication means that only new unique data is written rather than rewriting full data. The deduplication engine is friendly for backup data's nature of generating duplicates weekly, which helps save space and leads to faster backups.
What needs improvement?
The areas for improvement regarding Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, especially the pricing, make things challenging.
To explain further about the issues around pricing, selling Dell PowerProtect Data Domain backup solutions can be challenging in small and medium businesses due to customer awareness. Customers often prefer cheaper alternatives for backups, such as writing to local disks on servers or inexpensive NAS devices. This is changing with customers realizing the importance of a cyber resiliency strategy after being attacked by ransomware. In this area, the entry-level options such as the DD3410 are better, but convincing customers is still hard due to the effort needed for proper sizing and understanding the backup policy, type of data, and retention needs.
For technical improvements of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, I am a big fan of tapeless backups, which is why I have concerns about the continuing necessity for tape, as some customer requirements still align with it. Tape-outs should not be from Dell PowerProtect Data Domain; they should come from PowerProtect Data Manager, as BBDM currently lacks tape-out support, affecting our competitiveness.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We cannot guarantee 100% stability for any hardware, including Dell PowerProtect Data Domain; realistically, we aim for about 98% reliability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is highly scalable, especially for enterprise needs; this is a strong point in its representation.
How are customer service and support?
Technical support from Dell can be better; it is essential to align the level of support with customer requirements. We need to ensure clarity on the support options available, such as Next Business Day service or four-hour on-site support. I would give the technical support a rating of seven.
What was our ROI?
It is possible to observe a return on investment with Dell PowerProtect Data Domain because customers save on storage footprint due to deduplication and compression. This also reduces the amount of data transferred through the network when integrated with PowerStore for direct backups. Backups can happen on the backup network, which adds value by minimizing the data needed for replication to an offsite copy.
There are significant savings from reduced storage needs and efficient data transfer. If a customer uses Dell PowerProtect Data Domain with a replication policy, they can replicate minimal data changes daily, removing headaches associated with the physical transfer of tapes.
What other advice do I have?
We are working with Dell PowerProtect Data Domain and Data Manager. We are actually familiar with Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, and the most familiar product is Dell PowerProtect Data Domain and PowerProtect Data Manager.
Regarding AI and Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, that is related to AIOps. In AIOps, the way we manage all Dell devices collects telemetry data for proactive advice about space, parts that may fail, and other factors. It is similar to using a smartwatch that provides health advice based on collected data.
In comparison to other vendors, Dell's position in data protection is strong, as we see integration with third-party software such as Commvault and Veeam. Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is recognized as one of the most secure backup appliances. Feedback from customers supports this; however, when I lose an opportunity, it is generally due to budget and pricing issues.
I find deploying Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is easy; it is comparable to plug and play for customers once the backup policies are properly set, and we have certified engineers to help if needed. I would rate this review overall as a 9.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Backup has become faster and more secure while data protection still needs air-gapped support
What is our primary use case?
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.
What is most valuable?
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.
What needs improvement?
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.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with Dell PowerProtect Data Domain for more than five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is rated at nine. It is very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
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.
How are customer service and support?
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.
How was the initial setup?
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.
What about the implementation team?
I purchased Dell PowerProtect Data Domain through a partner. It was through one of their partners in Egypt.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
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.
What other advice do I have?
I can recommend Dell PowerProtect Data Domain to other users. I would rate this review at six out of ten.
Long‑term backups have become reliable and deduplication now saves significant storage space
What is our primary use case?
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 is most valuable?
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.
What needs improvement?
I have not really noticed any drawbacks or downsides other than the price.
For how long have I used the solution?
About 10 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
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.
How are customer service and support?
Since the product works, I would rate the support at least nine.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
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.
How was the initial setup?
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.
What about the implementation team?
I and another contractor participated in the deployment.
What was our ROI?
We are a government agency, so regarding Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, return on investment is not something we do.
What other advice do I have?
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.