ExaGrid Product Line
ExaGrid offers a highly scalable disk-based backup system that works with your existing backup application and combines high quality SATA storage, compression and byte-level data de-duplication with a virtualized GRID architecture. This unique approach reduces the disk space required for backup by a range of 10 to 50:1, delivering unparalleled cost savings and performance at a fraction of the price of standard SATA disk storage.
Scalable GRID Architecture
There are five core ExaGrid disk-based backup servers. These servers include GRID computing software. When plugged into a switch they virtualize into one another. As a result, any of the five configurations can be mixed and matched into a single GRID system, with capacities up to 60TB, in 1TB increments. Once virtualized, they appear as a single system to the backup server. Load balancing of all data across servers is automatic and multiple GRID systems can be combined for additional capacity.
For example, a 5TB ExaGrid server can store a 5TB full backup (5TB of primary data) plus up to 16 weeks of retention/history, while a 2TB server can take in a 2TB full backup (2TB of primary data) plus up to 16 weeks of retention. If a 20TB system is required, then four EX5000s are plugged into the switch and virtualize into a single system.
Five Mix and Match Servers
ExaGrid Model |
Primary Data Capacity |
Capacity for Weekly Fulls |
Capacity for Daily Fulls |
Backup throughput |
|
|
Copies |
Total backup data |
Copies |
Total backup data |
|
EX1000 |
1 TB |
16 |
16 TB |
75 |
75 TB |
360 GB/hr |
EX2000 |
2 TB |
16 |
32 TB |
75 |
150 TB |
360 GB/hr |
EX3000 |
3 TB |
16 |
48 TB |
75 |
225 TB |
360 GB/hr |
EX4000 |
4 TB |
16 |
64 TB |
75 |
300 TB |
540 GB/hr |
EX5000 |
5 TB |
16 |
80 TB |
75 |
375 TB |
540 GB/hr |
Examples of several common ExaGrid system GRID configurations between 5TB and 20TB
Configuration Models Used |
Primary Data Capacity |
Capacity for Weekly Fulls |
Capacity for Daily Fulls |
Backup throughput |
|
|
Copies |
Total backup data |
Copies |
Total backup data |
|
7 TB
1 x EX4000 +
1 x EX3000 |
7 TB |
16 |
112 TB |
75 |
525 TB |
1.08 TB/hr |
10 TB
2 x EX5000 |
10 TB |
16 |
160 TB |
75 |
750 TB |
1.08 TB/hr |
12 TB
3 x EX4000 |
12 TB |
16 |
192 TB |
75 |
900 TB |
1.62 TB/hr |
15 TB
3 x EX5000 |
15 TB |
16 |
240 TB |
75 |
1125 TB |
1.62 TB/hr |
20 TB
4 x EX5000 |
20 TB |
16 |
320 TB |
75 |
1500 TB |
2.1 TB/hr |
Scalability and Performance
A 1TB to 5TB ExaGrid server in combination with the virtualized GRID architecture allows for the following:
Start with the appropriate initial capacity and add capacity in 1TB to 5TB increments as needed
"Right size" capacity up front and over time by adding only the required capacity
As servers are added, additional memory, processor disk and GigE are also added resulting in no loss of performance. As data grows the appropriate amount of system resources are added.
On-site and Off-site Disk-based Backup
For off-site long term retention or disaster recovery, an optional off-site system can be deployed at another location to supplement or eliminate offsite tapes with a live disk-based data repository, providing fast recovery in the event of a disaster. ExaGrid is extremely cost effective as an off-site system because the byte-level data de-duplication technology only moves changes, requiring minimal WAN bandwidth. The costs associated with tape handling, shipment, and storage are significantly reduced or eliminated.
Core Server Components
ExaGrid servers are comprised of the following:
Intel Dual Core XEON processors
Intel motherboard
Seagate SATA drives
RAID 6 hot Spare
ExaGrid Software
Each server includes the appropriate amount of processor, memory, disk and GigE for the amount of data. As each server is plugged into the switch and virtualized into the GRID it brings not only disk capacity but also processor, memory and GigE such that performance is maintained as data is added.
Summary
ExaGrid's unique approach to scalability provides the following benefits:
Performance is maintained as your data grows - each additional ExaGrid server added to a system provides disk, processor, memory and GigE
Capacity utilization is load-balanced across servers - as a single server reaches full utilization, it can leverage space available on other servers in the GRID
Plug and play expansion - adding an additional ExaGrid server is as simple as plugging it in and letting ExaGrid's automatic virtualized GRID software do the rest
Cost-effective, system "right-sizing" - acquire just what you need now, add more later as data grows 
