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How does the BDR work?

Windows Agent

The windows agent picks up a schedule from the BDR Server to create multiple 15 minute snapshots that can either be mounted to recover files, folders and email or turned into a virtual machine.

Backup Process

The first backup taken is a complete replication of the disk volumes selected, encrypted with 256 bit encryption.  After the first backup image is complete, subsequent backups or snapshots are taken of the data blocks that have changed, this uses minimal disc space and ensures that subsequent snapshots execute quickly.

The storage server in turn will collapse the 15 minutes snapshots into a daily snapshot, daily snapshots into weekly and weekly snapshots into monthly.

Synchronization & offsite storage

There are two methods that can be used to maintain a copy of data off site, all of which are automatic and monitored.

  1. Daily Synchronization to USB drive or NAS
    The simplest method and suitable for data sizes up to 2.5 TB

  2. BDR to BDR replication (over internet or WAN)
    Designed to provide a downstream copy of your live servers at a disaster recovery site.  This can be over a WAN, VPN or standard internet connection.

NCI BDR diagram- click to enlarge

Click to enlarge BDR diagram

Virtualisation

A failed server can be virtualised on the BDR appliance in less than 1 hour, this process can be as quick as 20 minutes depending on the type of server being virtualized and the model of BDR. This is ideal for branch offices as it is possible to recover a full server(s), without the need to travel to site, thus maintaining a high level of server and application availability.

File recovery

Any of the backup snapshots can be mounted on the BDR as an additional drive, this drive or its sub folders can then either be shared on the network allowing end users to recover their own files, or used by an administrator to drag and drop data, back to live storage.

Download the BDR datasheet

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