Dell PowerProtect Data Domain Reviews

Dell PowerProtect DD (Data Domain) is an integrated backup appliance-based solution, and our installed base in Pakistan is substantial. We possess high expertise in both pre-sales and post-sales activities for this.

It can operate at high temperatures. Even in disaster situations, you can recover your backups. The technology has advanced significantly, and the software that operates the environment of PowerProtect is excellent. It truly is remarkable. In every instance where we've proposed and won a project based on PowerProtect, the customers have been highly satisfied and confident in their backup processes.

Dell PowerProtect DD (Data Domain) is highly consistent, durable, easy to install, scalable, and compatible with any software today. The deduplication and compression ratio is unmatchable through DD Boost software. 

There is a challenge when it comes to data recovery; the recovery window can exceed four to eight hours if you're dealing with backups older than five or ten years. The encryption and decryption processes take longer than those of all-flash technologies. This is the only challenge I see.

It also cannot provide an active-active infrastructure since you can have only a single controller in one appliance. If you want to implement a dual controller setup, you need to connect another appliance with a single controller. This limitation can be a drawback, especially because competitors offer dual controller architectures with end-to-end NVMe and Rocky-based back-end network infrastructure. Their IO systems can achieve faster recovery of backups, while Dell PowerProtect DD do not provide such high throughput.

We have been working with Dell solutions for more than 20 years. We are a Titanium partner of Dell Technologies, and we are working on the complete portfolio of Dell and Dell EMC.

The support services Dell is providing are excellent.

We are working with Dell Technologies, VMware, Microsoft, and Huawei. Due to huge costs, there is competition from companies such as Huawei, Veritas, and other OEMs. Dell EMC is experiencing high competition in terms of financials.

Customers go for Dell PowerProtect DD because of the support services that Dell is providing and good architecture.

People have been using it for over a decade to backup their data. It provides good data duplication and ratio. MTree mechanism allows for seamless transfers of backups between different systems, whether it's from one Data Domain (DD) to another DD or from one PowerProtect to another PowerProtect. Additionally, there are many features available. However, it's important to note that similar features are now also offered by competitors.

It typically takes one to two hours to complete the installation, depending on the infrastructure and the size of the project. For example, if you are dealing with a backup solution of 100 to 200 terabytes, it will generally take one to two hours at most.

As for the installation team, I am not the only one involved. We have a team of specialists, particularly when it comes to customers in the Financial Services Industry (FSI) or mission-critical environments. Dell Technologies manages a highly skilled set of expert engineers with decades of experience. We offer professional services through Dell, and we also have a certified Dell EMC team available on the ground.

Due to the critical nature of the data, the choice of implementation services that we propose to our customers depends greatly on the specific requirements. In tenders, we strive to offer both competitive pricing and high-quality service. Our deployments are typically carried out by our team members, but for Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Requests for Quotes (RFQs), we always bring Dell Professional Services on board. Their service is exceptionally professional and unmatched in my country.

Dell PowerProtect DD (Data Domain)'s licensing cost was excellent in 2023, but after 2023, the operating environment licensing cost is huge. It is almost four times the earlier price.

I would rate this solution a nine out of ten.

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is mainly used for backup as a target for backup. Previously, I was working in Veeam, and nowadays, I am working with Commvault. For both backup software options, the target for the backup is Dell PowerProtect Data Domain.

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain has multiple valuable functions. The DD Boost protocol is very fast in backup and while data is being transferred to Dell PowerProtect Data Domain. It is a very fast protocol. Additionally, I am using the immutability features built-in in Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, so that the backup copies are immutable. No one can edit or delete them anymore unless the retention period is over. I think those two functions are the best in Dell PowerProtect Data Domain.

The main benefits I receive from Dell PowerProtect Data Domain save time for me because of the time of backup. For example, I have reduced the backup window. Once I began working with Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, it is very fast storage, especially while the backup is being taken. The backup window has been reduced by more than 30%. In my case, I am moving data over the WAN. The speed of the backup has reduced the bandwidth and the time being taken, resulting in cost reduction. From a pricing point of view, I think it is sufficient and good for me. It is the most reasonable option for my case.

In my opinion, for the version I am using of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, I am not sure if there is another version that will have the functionality I will discuss. I need them to add the air-gapped technology to Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, as some other vendors have. The air-gapped technology is very important.

I have been working with Dell PowerProtect Data Domain for more than five years.

The stability of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is rated at nine. It is very stable.

The scalability of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is good for scale-up. I have two models of scale: scale-up or scale-out. For scale-up, it is very good. However, for scale-out, I am not sure they are doing this effectively. I think they have an issue with scale-out by adding multiple controllers and multiple bays, for example.

The technical support for Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is very helpful. I have created multiple tickets with them and they have a very fast response time with very good technicalities. They are brilliant in all aspects.

Dell's response time and quality are very fast and very good.

The initial setup for Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is very simple. One of my team members completed it on his own. He did not even want support in any of its operations. It is very simple. All operations, such as upgrading firmware, initializing it, and making a target, are very easy.

I purchased Dell PowerProtect Data Domain through a partner. It was through one of their partners in Egypt.

Pure Storage is the most similar option to Dell PowerProtect Data Domain. Pure Storage is a very powerful storage system that came to the market recently. I am sure they started with the end goal in mind compared to other competitors. They are very intelligent and they have integrated all other vendors' functionalities inside their product. I have not used it, but I have attended some seminars and webinars for them. They speak about very good technology.

For the same reasons I have mentioned that Dell needs to address, I would select Pure Storage because it has built-in air-gap technology and I think it is the only storage that came with all-flash SSD. Both features I am seeking for in Dell PowerProtect Data Domain already exist in Pure Storage. Regarding pricing, I think Pure Storage will take over Dell PowerProtect Data Domain.

I can recommend Dell PowerProtect Data Domain to other users. I would rate this review at six out of ten.

I am calling to complete our feedback and survey for this product. We have been using Dell PowerProtect Data Domain for about 10 years. We had an implementation of a 2200 model, but we should be receiving new devices that have been procured and are not yet delivered to us through an IPA project.

We had no additional licenses, no VTL or other add-ons; just an ordinary backup target with deduplication and compression. It is currently still employed and used as a long-term backup solution for the monthly backups.

What I appreciate about Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is that the deduplication is quite good and it simply works. It is quite insensitive to all the problems we have here in Bosnia.

The features in Dell PowerProtect Data Domain have greatly benefited our organization by allowing for easier and quicker backups and easier restores. We used different backup tools back then, and at the moment, we are using Veeam. It simply works. It is a simple tool that just works. Under the hood, all the complexity is mostly hidden from the users that use it.

I have not really noticed any drawbacks or downsides other than the price.

About 10 years.

Regarding Dell's technical support, since we did not have any need for it, I cannot complain or say anything because we had no problems with the device, and it simply works.

Over this period of time, over 10 years, I had no need for support.

Since the product works, I would rate the support at least nine.

Before, we were using Veeam more than 10 years back, and right now, we are planning a change, but due to procurement, I am unable to give more information.

The deployment of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain took about two days when it was implemented, and to change its purpose from the primary backup target to this kind of monthly secondary long-term archive, it took perhaps half a day.

It was quite quick and easy to do because our implementation is quite simple.

I and another contractor participated in the deployment.

We are a government agency, so regarding Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, return on investment is not something we do.

The implementation of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is not really difficult for us. It is just a backup target. I would rate this product overall as a 9.

My use case for this solution is for protecting or backing up data to safeguard against hacking or for disaster recovery. I utilize it in more projects on the governmental side, the non-governmental side, and in the banking sector since they usually need to back up their data.

Retention for data, deduplication, and replication between sites are valuable features. The solution syncs immediately.

The model 3330 may need improvement. Then we have another model, 6300. In my opinion, the 6300 model is better. It is suitable for more customers since it is small, cost-effective, and a good start for any customer to know about Data Domain and DBS solutions.

I have been using it for between three or four years.

Dell is more stable than any other device. After Dell, HPE follows, then IBM, and then any other device. Dell is especially more stable in the enterprise product.

I usually don't worry about scalability or upgradability for a device like PowerProtect, VRTX, or any Dell product. 

I can buy any Dell device in Egypt and they offer strong after-sales support. We have a call center, and they call us continuously to ensure satisfaction. I have encountered an issue before with other brands that would not have occurred with Dell.

Neutral

I sold HPE servers to PepsiCo due to their global agreement. I faced issues with HPE's support. Dell resolved similar issues much quicker.

I'm aware of Huawei's scalability, which, in comparison, surpasses Dell's. Huawei's storage device can be upgraded with another 16 devices, while Dell and HVE talk about only three devices that can be scaled up.

The price is also a disadvantage. Price is a disadvantage with the PowerProtect as it needs to be cheaper. The cheaper device costs around $70,000, which is a big sum to pay for a device like this.

Price is a major factor. Replication and data deduplication ensure there is no duplication for backing up data. The technology it uses is the shortest and minimized. The size of the data should be backed up every time. The customer needs to know about data duplication and data replication. This is the tool I recommended to customers. 

Overall, I rate the product eight out of ten.

I use Dell PowerProtect DD (Data Domain) for archiving and storage for the server. It is also used for daily backup purposes.

The solution is valuable for its security purposes and good support. It securely protects data against threats like Trojans. The solution has been awesome over the last ten years, offering stability and reliability, which I recommend for stable storage. 

Additionally, it supports new technologies and offers a fantastic after-sales service, with engineers responding within 24 hours to solve issues, proving crucial for our operations.

If I were a manager for this infrastructure, I would look into load balancing for cost, maintenance after sale, and improving Dell PowerProtect DD. It is important to consider features you need or don’t need.

I have been using the Dell PowerProtect DD solution since 2008.

The solution is very stable. Over the past ten years, it has been an awesome project.

In my plan, I renew the support every three years, and it is scalable. The scalability depends on the IT department's strategy.

The customer service after sale is very important. They respond within 24 hours of case submission, which is crucial for maintaining the solution. Technical support is rated nine out of ten.

Positive

Before Dell PowerProtect DD, I used Veeam Backup, which is easy to manage and offers a reasonable backup solution.

The initial setup is for archiving and daily backups. It is set up on premises with virtual machines.

Occasionally, there are significant monetary savings and time savings.

Pricing is sometimes reasonable depending on the discounts provided by the company.

I advise potential users that Dell PowerProtect DD is a good product, but it has to be aligned with your strategy, capacity, and budget. Rating for the overall solution is nine out of ten. The considerations should be to focus on price and on your strategy for your environment.

The primary use case for Dell PowerProtect DD (Data Domain) is for deduplication and archiving, including achieving efficient archiving. We sometimes use Veeam backup with Dell PowerProtect DD (Data Domain) and other times with Dell PowerProtect to extend retention periods of our backup jobs.

The most valuable feature of Dell PowerProtect DD (Data Domain) is its deduplication capability. This feature is crucial for our customers as it allows them to have more storage space for backup jobs. 

Additionally, the integration with Dell EMC arrays and storage snapshot backup functionalities are key elements, enabling efficient daily and nightly backups of sensitive ERP or applications.

Improvement is needed in terms of telemetry and high availability as the high availability feature is only present in the higher models of Dell PowerProtect DD (Data Domain). The entry-level and medium-level models, such as the 6000 and 4400, lack this feature. 

Moreover, integration with cybersecurity measures can be enhanced, particularly with ransomware protection.

I have been working with Dell PowerProtect DD (Data Domain) for about ten years.

Dell PowerProtect DD (Data Domain) is stable in terms of software performance. However, problems arise during the software upgrade process from version to version.

Scalability is mainly constrained by hardware limitations. The software has good scalability, however, there is an issue with high availability in entry and medium-level models.

Customer service from Dell is good. We buy the product with a 24-hour onsite response support in Tunisia, and we face no issues with the support quality.

Positive

The initial setup of Dell PowerProtect DD (Data Domain) is not easy compared to other solutions like Veeam or Commvault. It is moderately difficult and sometimes complicated due to the large number of products involved in the DPA suite.

An experienced engineer is essential to handle the complicated implementation process of Dell PowerProtect DD (Data Domain).

The pricing has become higher since July, and the license costs are more expensive compared to the past. It now uses a different licensing model, which is calculated based on the number of virtual machines instead of storage or processors.

I recommend Dell PowerProtect DD (Data Domain) for its integration with Dell EMC solutions and its superior compression and application ratios. This makes it more interesting compared to other products. 

Overall, I would rate the solution a six out of ten.

We use Data Domain for our backups, including long-term retention. This eliminates the need for two separate solutions for online and cold backups. Data Domain effectively meets both requirements, providing online backup copies and long-term archival storage.

I work in a presales role, having transitioned from a position where I was involved in day-to-day operations for over ten years. As part of a presales team, we focus on commercial aspects and meeting technical availability requirements.

There are a few exceptions to this. We have some clients using Data Domain's virtual appliance, particularly with the enterprise recovery vault solution. This solution provides an isolated third copy of backups, the enterprise recovery vault, designed to protect against ransomware attacks.

It increases uptime and compatibility with our product and other third-party backup solutions. It offers ease of integration with any of our backup systems. The software provides a reliable backup and recovery process, making it easy to integrate into that area. We have encountered very few issues, only about 1% with our data domain storage, which required an engineer to address a hardware problem.

An additional advantage is the compression provided. The front-end and back-end capacity we gain significantly reduces our total ownership cost. In most cases, we achieve a compression ratio of more than 2.5:1. For example, if we purchase 100 terabytes of storage, we can store 250 terabytes of data.

It can be effective if we design the backup solution correctly, focusing on online backups with Data Domain and not heavily on archival data. For instance, I’m working with a customer with nine petabytes of archival data.

I was looking for a virtual edition, and that is now available. Many customers struggle to find a solution for ransomware protection, but we can set up an enterprise recovery vault for that purpose. These features are now part of Dell's overall offering. The solution has matured, and while I don't criticize technology, most of our technical and business requirements are met with the Data Domain storage solution.

We can meet customer requirements easily with Data Domain. Some feedback has been received from our operations team. There’s always room for improvement. For instance, there may be suggestions regarding enhancements to the reporting dashboard

I have been using Dell PowerProtect DD as a partner for over 15 years.

It offers 99.99% availability. If the sizing is done correctly, we can meet the scalability requirement. Scalability with Data Domain is straightforward. If enough disk capacity is planned with additional space for future expansion, scaling up is feasible. If the existing disk space is already full, we would need to purchase an additional unit, either a smaller one or one of similar capacity, to accommodate new data.

The majority of the bugs are fixed. The team who's working as a technical engineer to support us during the incident, are also supporting us in the right order to get that rectification or the solution.

Positive

Data Domain and NetApp are key competitors when we consider backup solutions or storage. HPE offers similar storage products, but the choice depends on the requirements. If it’s a full data center exit solution involving storage, backup, and computing, a single-vendor solution like Dell’s Data Domain or PowerProtect is a good fit.

When we consider a mix-and-match approach, we evaluate NetApp's offerings, focusing on features, overall reliability, and cost-effectiveness. In most cases, both products can meet business and technical needs. Bugs or issues with new firmware are always a factor in our decision. NetApp and Data Domain are mature enough to be reliable options.

It is simple. This is all a menu-driven GUI combination.

It varies from region to region. For example, in the Middle East, there is no strong preference for an OpEx model; most cases push us toward a CapEx model. This approach can differ from country to country.

While there are challenges, such as delays in receiving the bill of quantities and quotes, the overall value proposition with Dell remains strong. The response times in the Middle East can sometimes be slower, which we must navigate.

It’s often a preferred solution when comparing costs. Features like deduplication, compression, and ransomware protection are standard across vendors. The decision comes down to cost. If two vendors offer similar pricing and there’s no need for a mix-and-match approach, we prefer a single vendor like Dell.

It all depends on negotiation when we're bundling components. If we opt for a single-vendor solution, our relationship with that vendor often leads to more competitive pricing. HCI allows us to avoid the complexities of setting up separate backup servers, as everything comes integrated into one box, including storage and all necessary roles. We prefer HCI backup solutions if the footprint doesn't increase drastically. If we can control the infrastructure, it's more efficient without managing multiple VMs or physical machines. While Data Domain is a good product, it doesn't fit every case, as customer requirements vary. Cohesity, on the other hand, offers a software solution with comprehensive features to meet technical needs. Dell doesn't always offer the most cost-effective solution; sometimes, we find better pricing elsewhere. OEMs often struggle to add new logos, so they may provide higher margins, which we can pass on to the customer.

It's a good product, no doubt about that. Other similar products also perform well. It largely depends on the profile I'm working with; we prioritize cost in our validations. For example, getting the first vendor to match five can be challenging if one vendor quotes ten and another quotes five. On the other hand, it's often easier to negotiate down the vendor, quoting five to three or even two.

Overall, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.

Customers primarily use the solution for data backup. Dell PowerProtect DD is a state-of-the-art backup device. Although we can use it as a storage device with VMware Association or NFS server, most users use it as a backup solution.

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain provides data duplication. For backup technology, we take the same backup every day. The only difference should be the differential thing, whatever is added on the same day. If we take a full backup, the difference is only for one day.

The solution provides the best deduplication and compression ratio with respect to backups. Two to three organizations I worked in use Data Domain due to this great feature of deduplication and compression.

The solution allows us to take a huge number of backups, and the footprint is quite small. The speed and throughput we get are very good. We can take a backup of 16 terabytes in 20 minutes, depending on our connectivity. Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is the best product in the market right now.

Sometimes, we face support issues. We have to change the solution's password regularly. If we lose the admin password, Dell always asks for separate charges. This should also be included in the support contract.

The solution should include integrations with third-party solutions. We can introduce raw volumes to the VMware virtualized environment or assign some volumes to physical servers. If it is not available, it should be there.

I have been using Dell PowerProtect DD for two years.

It's a very easy and normal process. We don't need to do the backup off-site. We're just using it as a big dump of data. For scalability, we need to add new expansion to add new devices. We recently did it. Currently, we back up 1,600 terabytes daily. In my last organization, we had around 16 terabytes plus daily backups.

We sometimes encountered response issues with the technical support team. Overall, they have the technical abilities to resolve our issues. We rarely use the solution's technical support because of its strong design and product.

Positive

The solution improved our customers' operational efficiency. We are taking a copy of HDFS backup using some scripts. It is raw data. We already have two to three copies in our Cloudera environment and one copy in Dell PowerProtect Data Domain. I would recommend Dell PowerProtect Data Domain to other users because it's the best product for taking backups.

Overall, I rate the solution an eight out of ten.