Hitachi ShadowImage Reviews

We use Hitachi ShadowImage for data replication processes. It is a practical tool for copying data from one LUN disk to another within the same storage. In our bank, we utilize it for making tests and for development purposes, especially with our large Oracle database of 50 to 60 terabytes.

Hitachi ShadowImage has significantly improved our data processing and management. For huge amounts of data, it is more efficient than traditional backup and restore methods. The first copy may take some time, but subsequent copies are very fast as they only transfer the differences from the first copy. This has greatly improved our data management efficiency.

The most valuable features are its ability to handle large databases efficiently and the asynchronous replication capability. We use it every day to transfer and update huge data sets. It allows us to make test environments or new bases quickly from our main database.

The technology behind Hitachi ShadowImage has been around for a long time, and while it works correctly, it does have some issues. We have experienced problems with it, even though Hitachi provides good hardware. Technical support could also be improved, as it sometimes takes a few days to resolve issues.

I have been working with this solution for more than two years in this bank.

We work with a local partner for technical support, and I have contacted Hitachi directly twice. The response from their technical support has been okay.

Neutral

I have worked with EMC on Dell solutions before using Hitachi. They offer similar solutions, but Hitachi has worked correctly for us. My colleagues and I have had no major issues working with this solution.

The pricing of Hitachi ShadowImage is reasonable, especially when you purchase Hitachi storage, as ShadowImage and Thin Image are part of the protector. The protector includes several components like ShadowImage, Thin Image, and remote replication.

Hitachi ShadowImage is recommended for large companies with big data needs. It might be expensive for smaller companies.

I work for a bank in Serbia, where I use Hitachi ShadowImage. My bank has a script for Hitachi ShadowImage, an API, and an extensive database of about 50 TB where data is transferred from Hitachi Thin Image and Hitachi ShadowImage, from one server to another.

My bank bought another bank, so my team is now migrating the data to create one new product, and for the process, my bank uses Hitachi ShadowImage.

The bank uses Hitachi ShadowImage for ten servers, and the solution is used often. My team uses Hitachi ShadowImage to transfer data from one server to another, create shadow volumes, then import the data.

My bank has a Unix operating system and Oracle database where it imports data to a new server, then it has one script that updates the database table and table space, then my team creates ten new servers using Hitachi ShadowImage and Hitachi Thin Image.

To me, the most valuable feature of Hitachi ShadowImage is high-speed data transfer from one server to another. Other solutions would have problems with transferring 50 TB of data. For example, DataGuard has this problem, but Hitachi ShadowImage is very fast at transferring large amounts of data.

I also like that Hitachi ShadowImage is easy to use.

For first-time users of Hitachi ShadowImage, the learning curve could be a month, so this could be an area for improvement. However, after a month, you won't have problems in terms of data administration and data storage in Hitachi ShadowImage, mainly if you use the Ops Center.

API and script configuration in Hitachi ShadowImage is sometimes complicated, so this is another area for improvement. Configuring scripts and API is helpful, but if it's your first time, the Hitachi ShadowImage interface isn't as user-friendly as DataGuard. Still, after a month of working on Hitachi ShadowImage, it'll no longer be a problem for you.

I've been using Hitachi ShadowImage for the last five months. I started using it last June, but the bank has been using the solution for one or two years.

Hitachi ShadowImage is a stable solution. At the moment, I don't have problems with it stability-wise.

Hitachi ShadowImage is reasonably scalable.

I've raised a case with Hitachi ShadowImage support two or three times. The first time, my question was easy, and the second time, it was more complicated. In both cases, I had to wait one week for an answer.

On a scale of one to five, I'd rate Hitachi ShadowImage technical support as four.

I've used EMC RecoverPoint apart from Hitachi ShadowImage, but I used EMC RecoverPoint for the remote application, while I used Hitachi ShadowImage for the local disc. Comparing the two, I found EMC RecoverPoint easier to use.

The initial setup for Hitachi ShadowImage isn't as complicated, but it isn't as easy. You create a node with Oracle Unity. For example, it is easy if you want to do replication.

Deploying Hitachi ShadowImage takes about half an hour.

I'm less involved in setting up Hitachi ShadowImage. I'm focused more on creating rules and doing data replication. On a scale of one to five, I'd rate the setup a three in terms of difficulty.

The first time we implemented Hitachi ShadowImage, we used an integrator, but nowadays, we do it ourselves. We have no problems or difficulties with implementing Hitachi ShadowImage.

I don't have pricing information for Hitachi ShadowImage because my manager handled it.

My company uses Hitachi data replication tools, such as Hitachi ShadowImage, Hitachi Thin Image, and Hitachi Remote Replication, for different storage.

I'm using the Hitachi ShadowImage version from five months ago. It's on an on-premise deployment.

My bank has a big data center on-premise.

You only need to do maintenance for Hitachi ShadowImage if you add a new disc, but the process isn't complicated.

In the bank, only two to three people work with Hitachi ShadowImage directly.

I would recommend Hitachi ShadowImage to others, especially if you have big data or extensive databases. You can also quickly create new environments, with the help of Hitachi ShadowImage, from production to development.

My rating for Hitachi ShadowImage is eight out of ten.

My company is a customer of Hitachi.