Dell PowerProtect Data Domain Reviews

My main use case for Dell PowerProtect Data Domain is as a data backup target.

The features of Dell PowerProtect Data Domain that I like the most are the immutability, speed, and deduplication, which saves us a lot of money on storage costs.

The impact that Dell PowerProtect Data Domain has made on my organization is more efficient backups, a 99.9 percent backup success rate, and no data recovery issues in the last twenty years.

To improve Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, I would suggest making it cheaper.

I would like to see the ability to use more back end data ports as a new feature.

I have been using Dell PowerProtect Data Domain since it first came out.

I would rate customer service technical support an eight out of ten because sometimes there is a language barrier when talking to offshore support.

Prior to adopting Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, I was not using any other solutions to address the issues.

I do not deal with pricing, setup cost, and licensing for Dell PowerProtect Data Domain; I simply inform my manager, and he signs the check.

The other solutions I considered before selecting Dell PowerProtect Data Domain were Rubrik, Veeam, and Cohesity.

It would be beneficial to make support easier to access.

The typical use case for Dell PowerProtect DD (Data Domain) is for backup purposes; it is disk-based backup, which provides fast backup capabilities.

Additionally, data can be replicated from site one to site two, specifically backup data from backup device to backup device, not storage to storage.

Furthermore, deduplication and compression are enabled on the backup data, resulting in reduced bandwidth consumption. These are the three main functionalities.

The best feature of Dell PowerProtect DD (Data Domain) is its deduplication.

The integration of Dell PowerProtect DD (Data Domain) with leading backup applications within the infrastructure is very good. It works with multiple backup solutions, not only with NetWorker or Avamar; it is also compatible with McAfee and NetBackup.

The security features of this solution, such as encryption and role-based access control, are included, and ransomware protection is also incorporated. The solution comes with security features by default.

Dell PowerProtect DD (Data Domain) can be improved in terms of price. While Dell is providing a proper device, other solutions, such as Symantec, can replicate their data through any NAS storage. Although their deduplication and compression might not be as effective, they can still accomplish the task.

Medium-level and SME-level businesses can easily utilize this feature, but Dell PowerProtect DD (Data Domain) is a relatively expensive solution to propose to customers.

I have approximately 10 to 12 years of experience with Dell PowerProtect DD (Data Domain), which was previously known as Data Domain before PowerProtect.

This is a very stable solution.

The solution is scalable to higher models, both vertically and horizontally.

Technical support rates eight to nine on a scale from one to ten, with one being the worst and ten being the best.

Positive

The initial setup of Dell PowerProtect DD (Data Domain) is very easy to install and administrate.

The return on investment from Dell PowerProtect DD (Data Domain) is visible for enterprise customers, but not for SMEs. For enterprise customers, its price point is appropriate, but for SMEs, it is not suitable because the cost of the solution is much higher than the actual solution.

The backup solution cost is higher than the actual solution.

The solution is more suitable for large businesses rather than small or medium-sized enterprises.

I have utilized Dell PowerProtect DD (Data Domain) cloud-enabled capabilities to manage backups and recoveries with good results.

The on-site solution is most requested in the local market because it is a backup device, and most organizations prefer to host it in their own data centers.

On a scale of 1-10, this solution rates an 8.

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.

Currently, we are using only NetWorker, and that too only for a file system backup. We have also started taking backup of the Oracle data. The Oracle database plugin has been installed, the license has been bought, and we are protecting a hot backup of the Oracle database.

It's deduplication and faster recovery that are the key features. We had a challenge with the backup window because earlier, we were using traditional backup methodology, which used to take an enormous amount of time. By using Data Domain, we get the advantage of data deduplication, reducing data size. The backup window is also reduced, and recovery is definitely faster.

The Data Domain solution appliance is quite expensive. It is on the higher side, but technically or functionally, there is no issue.

We have been using Dell Data Domain for the last five years.

There have been absolutely no stability issues so far.

By keeping the increasing data in mind, we decided to go for Data Domain. It was a practical solution to the challenges we faced earlier.

Technical support was absolutely supportive. Whenever we faced any issues, we logged a call with Dell and immediately received a response, which was fantastic.

Positive

We were earlier using the traditional backup methodology, which used to take a lot of time to back up the data.

Once we received proper training from the respective vendor, and since we were using NetWorker earlier, we didn't find any difficulties. We are currently using it efficiently and are happy with the experience.

Commercially, the Data Domain solution appliance is on the higher side, however, technically and functionally, there is no issue. It is quite expensive.

Just keep going with the solution as it performs. It meets our expectations well. 

Overall, I rate it 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.

The data admin works within the network and Avamar. I am collaborating with the data admin on a target-based solution using their backup server. We are using this solution with Avamar to meet Target's needs.

They're attempting to take backups from their backup solution, which has improved their overall scalability and storage efficiency because they transitioned from a traditional backup solution to a more advanced solution within the Veracode domain.

It provides data protection and network cloud.

Local support is necessary because while some aspects are well-handled, others require attention. At times, working without support can be more cost-effective.

The scalability is very good.

Support is good.

Positive

As a technical user, the initial setup of Dell PowerProtect DD is straightforward and familiar because it provides a tool for first-time initialization. Additionally, if customization is needed, the process is user-friendly for creating users and configuring other settings. Overall, the setup process is designed to be simple and accessible.

I often receive feedback for synthetic data from their own data centers, such as Silicon and the National Bank of Ethiopia. Also, I recommend permissions because their data is highly integrated. Currently, the government sector is lagging in the supply chain. However, our state and technical team are actively involved in provisioning. Clients are very interested in the solution. We have also completed the installation in Darwin and are preparing to hand over the solution

Dell PowerProtect (Data Domain) is popular enough in our region.

Knowing the commitment terms is important when working with Dell PowerProtect DD. Typically, you must sign a one-year commitment if you're participating in a campaign or program. If you are provided with a voucher or other benefits, such as for students, it will usually come with the requirement to fulfill this commitment. It's essential to understand these terms clearly before proceeding.

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

I have proposed Dell PowerProtect DD in a couple of sectors, including defense, government, finance, and banks. Dell PowerProtect DD faces strong competition with appliances from Veritas, NetVault, and Commvault. 

Dell PowerProtect DD provides better appliances than the aforementioned competitors, has better features and the license is provided without any investments. Veritas offers solution by charging on a per-terabyte licensing model. Dell PowerProtect DD is used to retain or manage backups or sites for later use. 

The licensing model is the most valuable aspect of Dell PowerProtect DD. The pricing is cost-effective for the solution, and a one-time payment is required; no annual charges or additional costs are involved with Dell PowerProtect DD. I deal with multiple brands, so the end customer of the solution contacts me to find a suitable solution to their issues. 

There are multiple Chinese products hitting the market as a competitor tool against Dell PowerProtect DD, which doesn't have a great feature set but is available at an attractive and negotiable price. Recently, Huawei launched a backup solution that is being used in Pakistan or Afghanistan, but the vendor didn't sell it elsewhere. The aforementioned solution is providing tough competition to Dell PowerProtect DD. 

Dell previously had smaller models of Dell PowerProtect DD, which were called DD3300, if the vendor is able to launch a similar mid-range product for customers with an average budget, they will be able to compete better. 

The market is moving towards AI, and NVIDIA has been successful in growing and capturing the market. In Dell PowerProtect DD, there should also be AI features in the future. The vendor is coming up with new intelligence processors. Dell PowerProtect DD must store the data, but through AI, it should know how to retrieve and use it. AI features need to be introduced in Dell PowerProtect DD to capture the upcoming market. Customers of Dell PowerProtect DD know how to store the data but are aware of the applications or use of such data. 

I have been using Dell PowerProtect DD for a year. 

I would rate the stability a ten out of ten. Since the past year of usage, we have never faced any stability issues with the solution, and neither did our organization's customers. 

Enterprise-level businesses, when they purchase Dell PowerProtect DD, plan to use it at least for three or five years. There are very few customers who will repurchase the license for up to seven years, the rest will buy a new version. I would rate the scalability a ten out of ten.

The product offers impressive scalability, but the issue is that after the initial license expires, which runs for three to five years, customers prefer to replace it with a different one. The solution is suitable for all enterprise, medium, and small-scale businesses. In several cases,  small businesses also deal with critical data, so Dell PowerProtect DD can be a suitable solution for them. 

I would rate the tech support a five out of ten. There is an inconsistency in support quality for Dell PowerProtect DD. On-ground deployment or support assistance is not available for the product in our country, Pakistan, the customers have to purchase support assistance separately.

When purchasing Dell PowerProtect DD, customers are not willing to pay an additional $3000 to $4000 for deployment services and support. But once a customer purchases the solution and faces any trouble with data migration or similar issues, they feel purchasing the deployment services and support is necessary and Dell has the same motive of pushing them to avail support services. 

Often, the account managers our company deals with want to sell equipment or reduce features to onboard the solution at a more cost-effective price.  Dell PowerProtect DD is directly integrated with the servers and not into a massive environment. The product is usually integrated into a single server that runs the software. Dell PowerProtect DD is easy to integrate, but it often involves integrating one server and two switches for redundancy. 

Neutral

It's extremely easy to setup Dell PowerProtect DD. The solution's deployment is mostly carried out by partners, and some of them face challenges because every technology around the solution, including the firmware, needs to be upgraded before the configuration.

Customers with specialized technical knowledge can deploy Dell PowerProtect DD independently. In my country, Pakistan, 95% of customers use the solution on-prem. 

In terms of pricing, Dell PowerProtect DD is facing competition from Veritas and Commvault. In my country, I have sometimes noticed that enterprise businesses are offered the aforementioned competitor solutions at a cost-effective price. I know a couple of government sector projects that have chosen a competitor solution instead of Dell PowerProtect DD due to the pricing. 

Every customer in our organization has a unique requirement; if a customer's basic requirement can be fulfilled by Veritas or Commvault, then the customer reconsiders the pricing of all the options. If Veritas offers the most affordable price, then customers might choose it over others.

If a customer has a sophisticated requirement for a data domain or if the customer's data center has already implemented a data domain, they will be eager to pay a premium price and adopt Dell PowerProtect DD. To onboard more customers in a tender business or government sector, Dell has to come up with a better price for Dell PowerProtect DD.

The deduplication feature of Dell PowerProtect DD is one of the best offering from the solution. For instance, the banking sector institutions make multiple copies of their data. The deduplication feature of the tool is capable of deduplicating at an impressive ratio or amount.

Customers who have adopted Dell PowerProtect DD won't be interested in replacing it with another tool, the cost-effectiveness is one of the factors for such notion. I would overall rate Dell PowerProtect DD a nine out of ten. I would recommend the product to others.