Back up your data to third-party disk appliances that support a unique NetBackup API called OpenStorage. With OpenStorage, NetBackup can better manage operations through these devices and take advantage of the unique capabilities of each device, such as deduplication and replication. A number of Symantec Technology Enabled Program (STEP) partners are participating and have brought unique solutions to the market. Some key benefits include:

• Fully leveraged intelligent disk appliances-Take advantage of high-speed backup and recovery over a Fibre Channel or IP connection, along with disk sharing, virtualization, and deduplication technologies
• Enhanced disaster recovery-Fully leverage advanced features such as backup image replication between multiple data centers, eliminating the need to ship, encrypt, or store tapes

Use virtual tape libraries (that is, VTLs) with NetBackup. Some key benefits include:

• Media management-Leverage NetBackup's powerful media management capabilities just like a physical tape library and drives
• Enhanced functionality-NetBackup can create physical tape copies of virtual tapes, while letting the VTL be the data mover (requires supporting VTL capability)

Use NetBackup AdvancedDisk storage pools. Some key benefits include:

• Media server load balancing-Job allocated to least busy media server and automatic rerouting if server goes down
• Intelligent capacity management-Automatic selection of disk volume with adequate capacity for backup, otherwise automatically spans volumes; most important data retained as long as possible
• Use Storage Lifecycle Policies-Backup images are automatically copied/migrated through their defined life cycle
• Data encryption-NetBackup can encrypt data written to these storage pools