Frequently Asked Questions
What is CDP?
CDP is an acronym for continuous data protection. It is a data protection method that tracks changes as they are being written to disk. It eliminates the need for backup software to scan a disk at backup time for files that have changed since the last backup job was run. This results in much shorter backup windows and far more flexible restore points.
How do I use bare metal recovery?
Bare metal recovery is a self-managed process, carried out in the customer portal, with no need to submit a support ticket. Your server is rebooted into the Automated Rescue Environment, where it is configured to accept the restore, then the required image is pushed from your Data Protection Server. The entire process should only take between 20 minutes and an hour to complete.
How many agents can I use and how do I install them?
Planet Alpha's Data Protection Server comes with an unlimited agent license for R1Soft CDPServer™. This means you can back up as many onsite or offsite servers as you require with no additional fees. The only limit is the capacity of your Data Protection Server. Agent setup is simple – download the agent software from http://download.r1soft.com and run the installer. The default settings will work in most cases.
Can I choose a configuration that is different than the Data Protection Server currently offered?
Yes – R1Soft CDPServer is now available to be installed on the server of your choice. Whether you select a new dedicated server or install it on an existing machine is up to you.
What is RAID5? Can I select other RAID levels?
RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) is a data storage system that writes data and optional parity information across multiple disks. It is used to maximize performance, as well as increase data reliability.
RAID 5 is used in our Data Protection Server solution for an extra layer of protection in case of hard drive failure and stripes data across at least three disks and includes parity information on each device. A RAID 5 array can lose a drive from the set without data loss. When the failed drive is replaced, the information on the remaining drives is used to rebuild the data set and parity information for the new drive.
We also offer RAID 10 on a custom basis. It requires at least four drives, and provides you with slightly lower usable capacity but higher performance than RAID 5.