Backup virtualization is an effective method for restoring systems after a major data-loss event, because it offers near-instant restoration of protected machines, including files, applications and operating systems.
Keep reading to discover how virtualization works, its benefits and the critical role it plays in business continuity and disaster recovery (BC/DR).
What is Virtualization?
Virtualization is the process of creating a software-based, or “virtual,” version of a computing system, such as a server, application or storage device. It allows one physical machine to run multiple independent operating systems, known as virtual machines (VMs), on the same physical hardware.
Example of Virtualization
Remote desktop software is a basic example of virtualization. The software lets you access and control another computer from your own device, which can be useful for remote working or improved resource utilization.
Increasingly, organizations use virtual desktop infrastructure, in which the desktop operating system and applications run within virtual machines on a server, often in a data center.
Background and History
Virtualization has been around since the 1960s and the early stages of the internet, when companies like IBM and GE championed its use. Until relatively recently, it was primarily useful for supercomputers. However, as the technology has progressed alongside increases in bandwidth, virtualization has become a cornerstone of modern IT infrastructure and cloud computing. Today, more than 90% of businesses use some form of server virtualization.
The Role of Backup Virtualization
Virtualization has become an essential component of business continuity and disaster recovery, allowing companies to access their backed-up environments much faster than traditional recovery methods. Backup virtualization is especially useful following the loss of entire servers, databases or other critical systems, such as in a ransomware attack or server outage.
How It Works
Backup virtualization allows businesses to temporarily establish a backup restore point as a virtual machine (VM). For example, they can turn isolated servers, storage and networks into virtual resources. These VMs run independently while sharing the resources of the host machine.
Organizations can determine what they need and divide these pooled resources into multiple virtual environments. This process, referred to as creating hypervisors, is similar to loading an entire operating system directly onto a computer, giving instant access to every single file, folder and application on that system.
Why Backup Virtualization Matters for BC/DR
Data-loss events can be catastrophic for SMBs, leading to significant operational disruptions, financial losses and long-term reputational damage. Through virtualization, businesses can instantly regain access to mission-critical systems, even if the full data recovery will take much longer. This enables companies to continue operating until they can permanently restore any machines affected by a disruption.
How It Provides Continuity
Some BC/DR solutions like Datto SIRIS continue performing backups in the virtual environment and capture any changes to data until the full restoration is complete. As a result, you don’t lose any data in the time it takes to bring your system back online, and everything is completely up-to-date when it’s all said and done. (Get Datto SIRIS pricing here.)
When to Use Disaster Recovery Virtualization
Your organization should use backup virtualization any time you need fast and full access to a protected machine. That way, you can access the data and systems you need without waiting for the full data recovery to finish. Protocols for performing (and testing) backup virtualization should be clearly defined in your disaster recovery planning.
The Pros & Cons of Virtualization
While it’s true that backup virtualization has become a vital BC/DR tool, it’s also important to recognize that there are some limits on what it can do. Let’s break down the key benefits and potential drawbacks.
Benefits
The most significant advantages of backup virtualization include:
- Faster access to protected machines when disaster strikes
- The ability to virtually restore not only files but also operating systems and software
- Almost instantaneous data recovery
- Continuity of mission-critical systems and operations
- Reduced or eliminated downtime
Virtualization also has benefits outside of backups, offering cost savings and infrastructure efficiency by maximizing existing hardware resources.
Potential Drawbacks
Depending on the virtualization systems deployed, businesses might run into some limitations:
- Not every application or server works correctly within a virtualization environment, such as applications that require direct, dedicated access to physical hardware or those that are extremely sensitive to performance fluctuations.
- There’s an increased risk when businesses rely on one physical host to run multiple important applications and servers. If an incident takes that primary host offline, it can have a ripple effect throughout the organization.
- When an organization relies solely on virtualization, it can increase the risk of a data breach as it creates a central, high-value target for attackers. However, businesses can mitigate this risk by taking a multi-faceted approach to backups.
- Backup virtualization isn’t the ideal recovery method for every data loss scenario. It’s typically only necessary when you want fast and full access to a protected machine, whereas a file or folder-level restore is usually your best option for smaller-scale data loss.
The Differences Between Local, Cloud and Hybrid Virtualization
Some backup solutions give you the option to perform virtualization locally or in the cloud. There’s also a hybrid option, which intelligently uses resources from both the cloud and local device for optimal performance. Let’s look at a breakdown of each type and explore why you might want to use them.
Local Virtualization
Local virtualization uses your on-site hardware to power the virtual environment. For instance, if you have a local backup device, it can serve as the power source for your virtualization. Depending on the backup solution you chose, this device might also continue to consistently perform backups even while restoration of the primary machine is underway.
In many cases, local virtualization is your best bet for speed, performance and simplicity. It ensures that your virtual environments run smoothly with minimal application hiccups, while also simplifying the restore of the original protected machine.
Cloud Virtualization
Cloud virtualization relies primarily on off-site hardware and powers the virtual machine over an internet connection. Within BC/DR, cloud virtualization offers a crucial extra layer of protection for scenarios in which local devices are not accessible.
Imagine that a natural disaster, such as a fire or flood, destroys your physical infrastructure or your local device is completely infected with ransomware. With cloud virtualization, you can virtualize backups that you stored in the cloud. Some data backup providers give their customers access to cloud resources with stringent security measures, so your data is available and protected from unauthorized access.
While cloud virtualization can have solid performance, it’s rarely as fast or efficient as local virtualization. For that reason, your organization should probably rely on the cloud only if your local devices have become inaccessible or unusable.
Hybrid Virtualization
When virtualization relies on both a local machine and a cloud service, it’s known as hybrid virtualization. A good hybrid solution automatically connects to a VM through a secure virtual private network (VPN). Hybrid virtualization, like its cloud counterpart, is also a good choice for organizations to use when they’ve lost access to their local virtualization.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does virtualization help data protection and disaster recovery?
Virtualization enhances data protection and disaster recovery by allowing organizations to quickly regain access to critical files, applications and operating systems after a major data-loss event. With backup virtualization, businesses can restore those systems almost instantly by running them as virtual machines. This minimizes the impact of the disruption and allows businesses to continue using mission-critical systems while a full recovery is underway.
2. What is virtualization backup?
A virtualization backup is a type of backup that enables each restore point to be booted as a virtual machine. This provides near-instant access to backed-up files, applications and operating systems.
3. Can a virtual machine be backed up?
Yes, virtual machines can be backed up just as physical machines can, including the data, software and operating systems running within the VM. Backup solutions such as Datto or can both back up virtual machines.
Conclusion
Virtualization has become a cornerstone of modern business continuity and disaster recovery. By enabling backups to be restored as virtual machines, it allows organizations to quickly regain access to critical systems and data. Whether using local, cloud or hybrid solutions, backup virtualization ensures your operations can continue accessing critical systems and services following a catastrophic data-loss event.
Avoid a Painfully Slow Recovery: Deploy Backup Virtualization Today
To learn more about backup virtualization and other data recovery methods available for your organization, schedule a meeting with one of our data-protection specialists at Invenio IT. You can also contact us at (646) 395-1170 or success@invenioIT.com.
