DPX 4.11 Release Notes
Last updated
Last updated
Catalogic Software releases Catalogic DPX 4.11 and vStor 4.11 with a focus on enhancing the management and execution of virtual machine (VM) restore operations as well as the introduction of a range of powerful new features designed to enhance security, control, and flexibility in data management operations.
The VMware Restore Orchestration feature is an important addition to Catalogic DPX, significantly enhancing the efficiency and flexibility of virtual machine recovery processes. By allowing customers to manage and execute multiple VM restores in a single operation, it reduces the time and complexity associated with restoring critical systems, especially in large or complex environments. This feature also provides users with advanced tools such as scheduling, resource cleanup, and network configuration, which help automate and streamline the restore process, making it easier to ensure business continuity. Customers can use this feature to quickly recover from outages, prioritize the restoration of key systems, and reduce manual intervention, thereby minimizing downtime and improving operational resilience.
In addition, this feature allows the administrators to test their backups by restoring VMs as an ecosystem, instead of individual elements. This helps them to validate their Disaster Recovery Plans. In a nother scenario, administrators might restore their backups into an isolated vCenter environment. This capability is particularly valuable for cybersecurity and forensics teams, who can use it to create secure, isolated virtual infrastructures for investigation and analysis without impacting the production environment.
This feature provides a comprehensive set of tools to manage and execute VM restore operations with greater efficiency and control. Key sub-features include:
Selecting Multiple Virtual Machines: Simplify your restore operations by selecting and restoring multiple VMs in a single job. This enhancement improves workflow efficiency by enabling bulk restores, reducing the time required to recover multiple VMs.
Cleanup of Restored Resources: Automatically clean up temporary resources created during the restore process once the operation is complete. This feature helps maintain an organized environment by removing unnecessary resources and reducing manual intervention.
Scheduling Job Execution: Schedule your restore jobs to run at predefined times, allowing for better planning and execution during non-peak hours. This feature ensures that restore tasks can be automated and managed with minimal manual oversight.
Maintenance of Job Definitions: Gain flexibility in managing your restore jobs by editing job definitions after they have been created. This feature allows for adjustments to be made to restore jobs before execution, reducing the need to recreate jobs from scratch.
Rapid Return to Production: Convert instant restored machines to fully restored machines by migrating storage from backup storage to vCenter storage. This feature ensures that restored VMs can quickly return to production with minimal downtime.
Network Configuration (MAC Cloning, Mapping): Manage network settings during the restore process, including MAC address cloning and network mapping, to ensure that restored VMs integrate seamlessly into your existing network environment.
Setting VM Restore Order: Control the order in which VMs are restored, ensuring that critical systems are prioritized and dependencies are properly managed during the restore process.
The added features in Catalogic vStor 4.11 enhance data management processes’ security, control, and efficiency. The Advanced Permissions model gives administrators finer control over user access, ensuring that access to data located on separate pools and management functions are protected. The Deletion Lock feature strengthens data immutability, which is crucial for compliance and protection against accidental or malicious data loss. With the addition of vStor Snapshot Explorer and AutoSnapshot, customers can more easily recover specific files and enhance their data recovery options, reducing the manual effort to ensure critical data is consistently and correctly backed up. The integration of GuardMode for ransomware trances and encrypted file detection adds an extra layer of security, helping to identify and mitigate potential threats early. Finally, the ability to restore files directly to a file share streamlines the recovery process, making it faster and more efficient for users to access needed files. These enhancements make vStor a more robust and user-friendly solution for managing and protecting data.
Enhanced User Access Control: The new Advanced Permissions model allows administrators to restrict user access to specific storage pools, providing greater control over who can interact with different segments of the storage infrastructure. Additionally, access to the management area of the application can be restricted to authorized users, ensuring that sensitive administrative functions are protected from unauthorized access.
Comprehensive Deletion Lock Features: This release introduces a robust Deletion Lock feature to enhance data immutability. Administrators can now set deletion locks on snapshots and volumes, preventing their deletion until the lock expires.
Default Deletion Lock on Replicated Data: The system can be configured to automatically apply deletion locks to replicated data, providing an additional layer of protection.
Retention Settings and MFA for Deletion Lock: Deletion locks can be configured with retention periods, ensuring that data remains protected for a specified duration. The removal of these locks requires Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) via a one-time password (OTP), adding an extra security layer.
Fixed and Flexible Lock Options: Two types of locks are now available—Fixed Lock, which is non-removable by the user and unlocks automatically after a set retention period, and Flexible Lock, which can be removed by the user at any time, offering a balance between security and flexibility.
Granular File Recovery and Forensics: The vStor Snapshot Explorer now includes the ability to open backed-up filesystem VM backups and block backups, facilitating granular file recovery. This feature is particularly useful for forensic analysis or anti-virus scanning, allowing administrators to investigate and recover specific files without restoring entire volumes.
Automated Snapshot Management: The vStor AutoSnapshot feature enables administrators to automate snapshot creation based on a schedule or triggered by a specified amount of data changes. This ensures that critical data is consistently protected without requiring manual intervention.
Ransomware Detection and Protection: vStor GuardMode has been integrated to scan backed-up filesystems for signs of ransomware and encrypted files. This proactive measure helps in the early detection of malicious activity, allowing for prompt remediation before widespread damage occurs.
Direct File Restoration to File Shares: Administrators can now restore files directly from vStor backups to a designated file share. This feature streamlines the recovery process, enabling quick access to restored files without the need for intermediary steps.
