Reference Code: TA001704STG
Publication Date: August 2009
Author: Stephen Mann, Somak Roy, and Karthik Balakrishnan
TECHNOLOGY AUDIT
Acronis Backup & Recovery 10
Advanced Server Virtual Edition
Acronis
BUTLER GROUP VIEW
ABSTRACT
The Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 (ABR10) family of software solutions allows organisations to create
server and workstation backups: either for rapid restoration in the case of a disaster, or for testing and
development purposes. The ABR10 software portfolio provides backup capabilities for OS, data, applications,
and settings, and the ABR10 Advanced Server Virtual Edition extends this technology to Virtual Machines
(VMs). Product functionality is based on Acronis’ patented disk-imaging and bare-metal restore technologies
which can back up an image of an entire system and settings, and enable rapid restoration of the entire
system or selected files. The growth of server virtualisation has necessitated specialised backup technology
to address virtualisation-specific backup challenges and Butler Group is impressed with ABR10 Advanced
Server Virtual Edition’s ability to address these, particularly the range of options for managing the backup
process, the licensing structure, the range of virtualisation platforms supported, and the introduction of
deduplication capabilities to help with the optimisation of corporate storage.
KEY FINDINGS
Licensing is per physical server, supporting Supports VMware, Parallels, Citrix, and
unlimited virtual servers at no extra cost. Microsoft virtualisation platforms.
The included Acronis Universal Restore Easy to use GUI and global dashboard offer
tool permits the recovery of server images a good degree of management and flexibility
to dissimilar virtual hardware. for scheduling and storing backups.
ABR10 Advanced Server Virtual Edition Application events, such as installation, do
delivers deduplication capabilities. not trigger the backup process.
Good range of Linux and Windows server Targeted at companies with up to 3,000
OS variants supported. servers and 500 to 5,000 workstations.
LOOK AHEAD
Acronis’ near-future technology roadmap includes plans to enhance its ABR10 product family with features
such as Continuous Data Protection.
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TECHNOLOGY AUDIT
FUNCTIONALITY
Virtualisation is amongst the most important technologies to have impacted mid-sized and large IT
organisations in recent years. It offers substantial flexibility and cost benefits, allowing IT managers and
systems administrators to consolidate servers, provision additional capacity for applications on demand,
provision servers with the right configuration for testing, and address disaster recovery and business
continuity concerns more effectively.
The mainstream adoption of virtualisation technology has driven the growth of a supporting ecosystem that
includes virtualisation monitoring, analytics, Virtual Machine (VM) migration, and backup tools. Some tool
categories have kept pace with the platform, whilst others have trailed the advancements in the core platform
technology. In Butler Group’s opinion, virtual server backup tools sit in the latter category – even though the
ease with which VMs can be provisioned and de-provisioned or migrated from one physical server to another,
and specific technicalities associated with virtualised environments all necessitate a focus on VM backup.
Consequently, IT organisations need backup technologies that have been specifically designed for virtualised
environments and can enable quick restoration of the operating system, data, settings, and applications,
without the manual re-installation of the operating system. Such a backup system also needs to support
incremental backup, and offer management overview and considerable administrative flexibility in the
configuration of backup processes. Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 Advanced Server Virtual Edition delivers
against these requirements and is targeted at companies with fewer than 3,000 servers and between 500 and
5,000 workstations; ease-of-use is a product focus area.
Product Analysis
Acronis is a global software company with a decade-long history of providing backup software for servers,
workstations, PCs, and specific applications (such as SQL and Microsoft Exchange). It has recently
introduced its next generation backup and disaster recovery product portfolio for Windows and Linux
environments – Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 (ABR10) – which is designed to provide centralised
management of all backup and recovery activities. The new product portfolio replaces Acronis’ True Image
family of corporate products with a new architecture and design, and new functionaility that includes improved
virtualisation support, a global dashboard, increased scalability, single page-based ‘wizards’, and optional
data deduplication that can help organisations to optimise storage capacity. Acronis states that they are one
of the first vendors to provide backup and recovery integrated with data deduplication at an affordable price
point: the solution is priced by machine, not storage volume/CPU, to make it affordable for Small to Medium-
sized Enterprises (SMEs).
As with previous offerings, the core technology used within ABR10 products has been developed by Acronis
software engineering, with products grown organically rather than through acquisition. Table 1 provides an
overview of the functionailty within the Acronis ABR10 product family.
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TECHNOLOGY AUDIT
Figure 1: Acronis Solutions Overview
Source: Acronis DATAMONITOR
Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 Advanced Server Virtual Edition replaces the previously available Acronis
True Image Virtual Edition. It enables backup and recovery of complete VMs, the OS, the applications, the
data, and settings. ABR10 Advanced Server Virtual Edition delivers an impressive range of configurable
options for managing backup tasks that include:
 Remote administration and management dashboard.
 Options for scheduling backup tasks (particularly important because of the resource strains placed
on the host machine) and the enabling of incremental backups.
 Optional deduplication, the configuring of backup repositories for storage optimisation, backup to
multiple target systems, backup to dissimilar physical or virtual hardware (enabling users to migrate
seamlessly between physical and virtual environments), and local backup within a ‘secure zone’
within the same host system. The deduplication functionaility can be delivered at either source or
destination and applies to full, incremental, and differential backups.
Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 Advanced Server Virtual Edition offers backup and recovery of virtual
environments through agentless, VMware Consolidated Backup (VCB), or agent-based backup methods. It
delivers physical to physical, physical to virtual, virtual to virtual, and virtual to physical migration capability in
VMware, Microsoft, Parallels, and Citrix virtual environments. Citrix and Microsoft in particular have made
serious forays into the server virtualisation space and Butler Group believes that virtual infrastructures will
continue to become increasingly heterogeneous (unlike when VMware had a near monopoly). Therefore,
Acronis’ support for the major platforms is vital to IT organisations wary of siloed backup-management
structures.
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TECHNOLOGY AUDIT
The solution’s ability to create snapshots of a VM encapsulating the OS, files, applications, and state
information, and to then create a new VM from the image makes the technology suitable for a number of non-
backup and non-disaster recovery-related tasks. For example, a virtual machine with a required configuration
can be easily provisioned from an existing machine, making the technology suitable for testing and
development teams. However, ABR10 Advanced Server Virtual Edition is not a mainstream imaging or real-
time VM transition tool, and is not typically used for high-availability purposes.
Overall, Butler Group believes that Acronis has assembled an impressive set of technologies that allow
flexible and efficient backup and recovery in heterogenous and significantly virtualised environments. The
vendor has an impeccable backup software pedigree and, in terms of functional capabilities, ABR10
Advanced Server Virtual Edition ranks highly against similar products aimed at the requirements of its target
market.
Figure 2: ABR10 Advanced Server Virtual Edition Three-Tier Architecture
Source: Acronis DATAMONITOR
Product Operation
Acronis’ patented disk-imaging and restore technologies (which form the core of all its products) are used by
ABR10 Advanced Server Virtual Edition to support corporate backup and restoration requirements for virtual
environments. ABR10 Advanced Server Virtual Edition contains nine different modules: Acronis Management
Console, Acronis Management Server, Acronis Storage Node, Acronis Agent for Linux, Acronis Agent for
Windows, Acronis Agent for ESX/ESXi Virtual Appliance, Acronis Agent for Hyper-V, Acronis PXE Server
(boot from network), and Acronis Universal Restore. The Acronis Management Console, Management
Server, and Storage Node can be on different machines within the same network. Using the Management
Console, the agents can be deployed to all virtual machines in the network, agentless backup is available with
VMware and Microsoft.
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TECHNOLOGY AUDIT
Figure 3: ABR10 Advanced Server Virtual Edition Overview
Source: Acronis DATAMONITOR
Acronis Management Console
The Acronis Management Console is the management access point to all Acronis Backup & Recovery 10
Advanced Server Virtual Edition components and the hub for centralised management – allowing
administrators to connect to a remote computer, and manage backup and recovery operations. The
scheduling of individual and group tasks can be managed from within the console as well as backup archive
management activities. The Acronis Management Console also allows administrators to install Acronis
components onto remote computers. ABR10 Advanced Server Virtual Edition also delivers a new global
dashboard feature.
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TECHNOLOGY AUDIT
Acronis Group Server
The Acronis Group Server enables administrators to manage and view the status of the machines in the
network (in addition to managing the backup tasks for the machines) via the Acronis Management Console.
The Acronis Group Server, once installed, is connected through the management console to allow
administrators to view group status and quickly remediate issues with backup tasks. It also enables them to
create new, and modify or delete existing, group tasks.
Acronis Agents for Linux and Windows
Acronis provides both Windows and Linux Agents. The Windows agents enable the remote management of
backup and restoration tasks on all Windows systems across the network and the Linux Agent for Linux
servers. However, organisations wishing to install Acronis in an all-Linux environment will need at least one
Windows-based system such as a laptop, desktop, or server.
Acronis Universal Restore
Acronis Universal Restore, which is included in Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 Advanced Server Virtual
Edition, allows the restoration of a full system image of an operating system (including all applications and
settings) to dissimilar physical or virtual hardware.
Figure 4: ABR10 Advanced Server Virtual Edition Implementation
Source: Acronis DATAMONITOR
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TECHNOLOGY AUDIT
Product Emphasis
The ABR10 Advanced Server Virtual Edition delivers against the key corporate backup and recovery
requirements: the need to create and quickly restore a VM backup image with a high level of administrative
flexibility, particularly the ability to configure parameters governing the backup task (scheduling, full, and
incremental backup), the backup archives, and modes of backup (such as simultaneous, in the same physical
host, and bootable media); and support for heterogeneous virtual infrastructures with the ability to restore to
dissimilar hardware. Importantly, Acronis concentrates on its core competencies to provide a broad span of
backup and recovery technology through an integrated solution.
Butler Group believes that Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 Advanced Server Virtual Edition is a VM backup
solution that is well aligned with the requirements of companies with even a minor virtualisation presence.
The solution has a high level of functional capabilities and stands out with its deduplication functionality,
licensing structure, and support for the major virtualisation platforms. Acronis’ product roadmap, which
includes Continuous Data Protection, also focuses on enhancing the flexibility with which backup tasks can
be managed.
DEPLOYMENT
Acronis states that Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 Advanced Server Virtual Edition has been engineered with
a focus on easy installation. Installation wizards and assistants allow administrators with even limited
technical expertise to set up the software, deploy the agents, and connect the machines to the management
console. Where needed, Acronis engages with systems integrators and reseller partners to help client
organisations select the appropriate Acronis product set and the right implementation strategy.
The average time for implementation is dependent upon the customer project. In Acronis’ experience, a
typical installation of a physical server with six VMs takes up to one hour. The Acronis Management Console,
Management Server, and Storage Node can be installed on different machines within the same network, with
agents deployed to all VMs in the network through the Acronis Management Console.
Post implementation, maintenance overheads are minimal – typically the solution needs only one hour per
week, although this will vary depending upon the size of customer deployment. The software informs the
administrator about the status of all tasks via e-mail, in the system log, or in a global dashboard. To facilitate
operation, Acronis provides on-site training for administrators via its Enterprise Solution partners and
administrators who will receive accreditation upon successfully passing required testing. Acronis is also soon
launching Acronis Academy, a new worldwide training programme, within which new training courses and a
new certification concept have been defined and Certified Acronis Trainers will offer both classroom and on-
site training for Acronis’ partners and customers.
The Acronis Advantage support programme provides a variety of support options for customers that include
self–service knowledge bases, pay-per-incident, and two subscription-based, annual support programmes.
Acronis Advantage Standard offers 10x5 support (Monday to Friday 8.00–18.00 CET) via phone, chat, and e-
mail. Acronis Advantage Premier offers 24x7 support services again via phone, chat, and e-mail. With
Premier’s priority support, a business-critical incident receives an initial response within one hour, compared
to Acronis Advantage Standard where a response is ensured within a business day.
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TECHNOLOGY AUDIT
Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 Advanced Server Virtual Edition supports the key Linux and Windows server OS
variants, which include, but are not limited to, Windows Vista x32 and x64 editions, Windows XP, Windows XP
Professional x32 and x64 editions, Windows 2000 Server SP (Service Pack) 4+, Windows Server 2003 SP 2+
x32 and x64 Editions, Windows Server 2008 all SP x32 and x64 Editions, Red Hat Enterprise 4 and 5, CentOS 4
and 5, Fedora 9 and 10, Ubuntu 8.10 and 9.04, Debian 4, SLES 10, OpenSUSE 11, Asianux 3.0, Microsoft
Hyper-V Windows Server 2008, and VMware ESX/ESXi version 6.5 and above.
PRODUCT STRATEGY
Acronis’ target market is horizontal and has traditionally included small, mid-sized, and upper mid-sized
companies across all verticals, with the product being particularly successful across the Education,
Healthcare, and Automotive sectors. Now, with the introduction of the Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 product
family, scalability enhancements make the Acronis portfolio more attractive to enterprise customers with
between five and 3,000 servers and 500 and 5,000 workstations.
Acronis follows a two-tier go-to-market strategy with its products being sold through the channel and through
its resellers. The company’s business partners include Seagate, VMware, Citrix (Acronis products are
certified as ‘Citrix Ready’), and Microsoft. Technology partners include Seagate, VMware, Citrix, Microsoft,
HP, and IBM.
Standard Acronis licence conditions require that every product, including options, running on a server or a
workstation has a separate licence, whether the program is installed completely, runs as an agent, or is
started from a boot device. Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 Advanced Server Virtual Edition is the only
exception, however, and alternatively requires a separate licence for each physical host machine on which
the software is executed, allowing an unlimited number of VMs per host server. Thus the product has a cost-
effective licensing structure and, whilst this licensing model is not unique in the VM-backup arena, Butler
Group views this licensing aspect as an important enabler of flexibility and cost savings.
Acronis operates a perpetual licence model with the average project value circa US$2,000 in its volume
business. Annual support and maintenance is charged at between 18% and 22% of licence costs – Acronis
Advantage Standard support cost for the first year is included in the purchase price with the Acronis
Advantage Premier support available for an additional 4%. Larger projects have a value of circa US$25,000
given that they require additional implementation support with the service costs dependent on the
deployment.
Acronis undertakes one major release for the product per annum and its near-future technology roadmap
includes expanding capabilities such as Continuous Data Protection (CDP).
COMPANY PROFILE
Acronis’ main office is in Burlington, Massachusetts and it also has offices in London, Paris, Munich,
Singapore, Tokyo, Sydney, and Moscow. Since 2000, through its flagship Acronis True Image family, Acronis
has been a provider of backup, disaster recovery, deployment, and migration software, focused on ensuring
business continuity and reducing downtime in computing environments. Acronis states that its products allow
organisations of all sizes to seamlessly move, manage, and maintain their digital assets when and where
needed, whatever the circumstances.
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TECHNOLOGY AUDIT
Acronis is a privately held company with a total of 650 employees, more than half of which are engaged within
the Research and Development, and Support functions. Acronis has over 3 million installations and 140,000
corporate customers worldwide for its Acronis True Image product family and quotable clients include AT&T,
BASF, Bayer AG, British Telecom, Chevron Texaco, Cisco, Conoco-Phillips, DaimlerChrysler, Experian,
FDIC, Fujitsu, Gates, Hewlett Packard, Honeywell, Keane, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, Kyocera,
Lufthansa Airlines, Microsoft, Oxford University, Seagate, Shell Oil, Siemens AG, Toshiba, Tyco Electronics,
US Air Force, and Volkswagen.
Table 1: Financial Details
Year ending 2008 2007 2006
Revenue (US$ Million) 120 95 52
Change on Previous Year (%) 26 83 –
Source: Acronis DATAMONITOR
SUMMARY
Rapid disk-to-disk backup and restoration is a growing and extremely competitive area. This highly populated
market includes some of the largest and most prominent global software companies, and given the continued
growth of server virtualisation adoption, many vendors have changed or expanded their product sets to meet
the requirements of backing up VMs. Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 Advanced Server Virtual Edition is
therefore competing with products from large infrastructure management vendors such as IBM and specialist
backup vendors, and with the tools provided by virtualisation platform vendors such as VMware.
Whilst Acronis may be smaller than some of the competing vendors it has an impeccable backup technology
pedigree and over 3 million installations, and ABR10 Advanced Server Virtual Edition’s functionality compares
well with the rest of the market. Overall, Butler Group believes that Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 Advanced
Server Virtual Edition merits a closer look by any company about to embark on a server virtualisation initiative
or seeking to improve the management of its existing virtual infrastructure.
Table 2: Contact Details
Main Office UK Office
Acronis Acronis Ltd.
23 3rd Avenue The Light Box, 111 Power Road
Burlington, MA 01803 Chiswick, London, W4 5PY
USA UK
Tel: +1 (781) 222 0920 Tel: +44 (0)203 176 0340
Fax: +1 (781) 222 0919 Fax: +44 (0)203 004 1898
www.acronis.com
Source: Acronis DATAMONITOR
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TECHNOLOGY AUDIT
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