Hornetsecurity VM Backup 9 Unlimited Plus: Streamlined Data Protection for Virtual Environments

Hornetsecurity’s VM Backup 9 Unlimited Plus is making waves among IT professionals who demand a streamlined, resilient solution for safeguarding virtual environments. In today’s increasingly digital landscape, where VMware and Hyper-V host crucial applications and data, this tool not only promises efficient backups but also delivers advanced features that cater to modern cybersecurity needs. Below is an in-depth look at this backup solution, based on hands-on testing and expert analysis.

A First Glimpse: The Product Overview​

Hornetsecurity has developed a solution tailored specifically for virtualized infrastructures. With its intuitive drag-and-drop management console, the product simplifies both backup configuration and data recovery, eliminating the complexity that often comes with enterprise-grade data protection software. Key highlights include:

• Targeted support for VMware and Hyper-V installations.
• A powerful, user-friendly console that emphasizes drag-and-drop operations.
• Multiple licensing options designed to cater to various scales of deployment, whether you’re managing just a handful of virtual machines or an entire data center.

The promise is clear: a robust backup solution that doesn’t force you to wrestle with complicated settings. Instead, it focuses on making backup and recovery tasks as straightforward as possible—even on a Windows Server 2019 host.

Seamless Setup in a Real-World Environment​

One of the most impressive aspects observed during testing was the setup process. Here’s how it unfolded:

1. Quick Installation: The software was installed on a Windows Server 2019 host without any hiccups.
2. Effortless Host Declaration: Both VMware and Hyper-V hosts were detected and registered in a mere 15 minutes, showcasing compatibility and ease of integration.
3. Repository Configuration: After designating a local hard disk as the backup repository, the setup allowed for a simple drag-and-drop operation to assign virtual machines (VMs) to their backup schedules.

This rapid setup not only reduces downtime but also allows IT teams to implement backup strategies without the need for extensive training or complex configurations.

The Magic Behind Drag-and-Drop Operations​

The drag-and-drop functionality is a standout feature that transforms the everyday labor of managing backups into a more visual and interactive experience. Rather than navigating through multiple menus and settings, you can simply drag the desired VMs into predefined or custom backup schedules. This intuitive approach helps to eliminate:

• Human Error: Fewer clicks and manual entries mean less opportunity for mistakes.
• Complex Configurations: Simplifies the process of setting up multiple backup jobs, making it accessible even to less tech-savvy users.
• Time Consuming Tasks: Drastically reduces the time required to configure and manage backup operations.

Imagine on a busy morning, you simply drag the VMs you need to back up onto an icon representing your weekly schedule, and the system takes care of the rest. This seamless operation is particularly appealing for environments where rapid changes call for equally rapid backup strategies.

Licensing Models and Pricing: Flexibility for Every Organization​

Hornetsecurity’s approach to licensing is refreshingly straightforward. Instead of basing costs on processor sockets—a model that can quickly escalate expenses—the licensing is determined by the number of hosts. Which means:

• Perpetual Licenses:
  • The Standard edition starts at £348 per host, allowing backups of up to five VMs per host.
  • The Unlimited edition at £426 per host enables backup of every virtual machine on each host.
  • The Unlimited Plus edition, which is our subject of hands-on testing, is priced at £536 per host, unlocking all available features.
• Subscription Model:
  Alternatively, Hornetsecurity offers a subscription model where licensing fees are calculated based on the monthly number of VMs being backed up.

This host-based pricing model provides clear, predictable costs—an especially useful feature for scaled deployments and budgeting. It means you can easily scale your security measures without worrying about hidden fees tied to more complex metrics like socket counts.

Immutable Cloud Storage: Defending Against Ransomware​

One of the most compelling features of the Unlimited Plus edition is its robust support for immutable cloud storage. Given the rising tide of ransomware threats, the ability to secure backup data against tampering is invaluable. Here’s how Hornetsecurity addresses this need:

• Cloud Storage Options:
  • Supports Amazon S3 and Wasabi.
  • Azure Blob support is on the horizon, broadening the tool’s versatility with multiple cloud platforms.
• Immutable Storage Mechanics:
  By configuring offsite backup locations as immutable, the system leverages Object Lock—a mechanism that essentially renders data unchangeable once written. This creates a Write Once, Read Many (WORM) repository that acts as a formidable barrier against ransomware attacks.
• Ransomware Resilience:
  Because the immutable backups cannot be altered post-sale, they provide a trusted recovery source should your primary or even local backups be corrupted or encrypted by cybercriminals.

In essence, Hornetsecurity has built a solution where your backup data can be trusted not to succumb to the creeping threat of ransomware—a feature that no modern cybersecurity strategy should do without.

Backup Destinations and Options: Versatility in Action​

The product doesn’t shy away from offering a wide array of backup destination choices, ensuring that no matter your infrastructure’s configuration, there is an option to fit your needs. During our test, the following options were utilized:

• Local Backups:
  A local hard disk provided the primary storage for backups, ensuring quick and reliable access.
• Network Attached Storage (NAS):
  A Synology NAS share was configured, demonstrating support for common NAS systems via UNC paths.
• External and Cloud Storage:
  An external Amazon S3 bucket configured with Object Lock was set up as an immutable offsite storage option, bolstering the solution's disaster recovery capabilities.
• Additional Options:
  The system also supports iSCSI targets and can integrate with physical devices or even a free Offsite Backup Server app for secondary backup requirements.

This versatility means that whether you are operating in a purely cloud-based environment or a hybrid setup, Hornetsecurity’s VM Backup 9 can seamlessly integrate into your existing workflow.

Customizable Schedules and Data Management​

Flexibility in managing backup schedules is essential for modern IT environments, where different VMs require distinct backup frequencies and retention policies. Hornetsecurity delivers on this front by offering:

• Predefined Schedules:
  Out-of-the-box backup schedules that cater to most common needs without additional configuration.
• Custom Schedulers:
  For those who need something a bit more tailored, the console allows you to customize schedules—defining weekly, monthly, or even ad hoc recurrences.
• Versioning and Retention Policies:
  Each backup job can incorporate specific versioning, ensuring that multiple iterations of your data are available, which can be critical during restoration.
• Replication Options:
  Every job also includes options for replicating data to secondary locations, ensuring an extra layer of redundancy.

This degree of customization means that whether you’re protecting critical enterprise data or managing a smaller business environment, you can tailor your backup operations to align perfectly with your data protection policies.

Rapid Data Recovery and Verification​

No backup solution is complete without a robust data recovery process—and Hornetsecurity ensures that recovering your virtual machines is as straightforward as creating the backups. The process is guided by a wizard that simplifies the following steps:

1. VM Selection:
   Choose the virtual machine that needs recovering.
2. Restore Options:
   Decide whether to restore the entire VM, clone it, or boot directly from the backup.
3. Granular Recovery:
   If you only need to recover particular files, folders, or even specific Exchange email items, the system’s Granular Recovery Technology (GRT) handles the task with precision.
4. Sandbox & Verification:
   Before finalizing any recovery, a background job clones the VM back to the original host (or an alternative site) and verifies that it operates correctly. This crucial step ensures that the backup isn’t just a static file but a fully functional recovery solution.

This end-to-end process dramatically increases confidence in your backup strategy—it’s not just about storing data but being absolutely sure that when the time comes to recover it, everything will work seamlessly.

Performance Enhancements: Constant Data Protection and Deduplication​

Speed and efficiency are two critical metrics in any IT operation. Hornetsecurity’s VM Backup 9 Unlimited Plus offers:

• Constant Data Protection (CDP):
  Selected VMs can be set to back up as frequently as every five minutes. This continuous stream of backups minimizes the potential data loss window, ensuring that even rapidly changing environments are well-protected.
• Inline Deduplication:
  Both the Unlimited and Unlimited Plus editions employ inline deduplication. This means that the system actively eliminates redundant data in real time. The result is a marked reduction in storage requirements and a boost in overall backup performance, without sacrificing operational integrity.

These performance enhancements not only cut down on storage costs but also streamline network and system resources—an important factor for both small businesses and larger enterprises.

Centralized Management: The Cloud Console Advantage​

For organizations managing multiple backup installations, centralized oversight is a must. Hornetsecurity addresses this with a cloud console that provides a comprehensive dashboard for managing all installations. Key features include:

• Unified Dashboard:
  Aggregates data from all VM Backup instances, offering real-time visibility into backup statuses, storage utilization, and any issues that need addressing.
• Detailed Metrics:
  Lists metrics such as storage savings achieved through inline deduplication, the status of replication jobs, and the outcomes of sandbox verifications.
• Remote Management:
  Administrators can manage and monitor multiple environments from a single interface, significantly reducing both management complexity and overhead.

This centralized approach not only simplifies administration but also plays a crucial role in proactive system monitoring, allowing IT teams to preempt issues before they escalate.

Real-World Benefits and Use Cases​

When evaluating a data protection solution, understanding how it performs in real-world scenarios is critical. Based on the hands-on testing, here are several practical advantages observed:

• Rapid Deployment:
  The ability to integrate VMware and Hyper-V hosts quickly means that even environments with tight maintenance windows can be brought under robust protection swiftly.
• Flexibility Across Storage Environments:
  Whether your strategy involves on-premises hard drives, a network-attached storage solution like Synology, or immutable cloud storage via Amazon S3, Hornetsecurity VM Backup 9 adapts to your needs.
• Enhanced Security Posture:
  In today’s threat landscape, where ransomware continues to evolve, immutable storage combined with constant data protection provides a multi-layered defense ensuring that backups remain uncompromised.
• Cost-Effective Licensing:
  With a licensing model that scales based on hosts rather than processor sockets, organizations of all sizes can budget effectively without fear of unexpected spikes in cost.

These benefits underline why the VM Backup solution stands out as a practical, high-performance tool for modern IT infrastructures.

Considerations for Implementation​

While the overall performance and features of Hornetsecurity VM Backup 9 Unlimited Plus are impressive, a few considerations are worth noting:

• Hardware & OS Requirements:
  It’s designed to run optimally on Windows Server environments, such as Windows Server 2019. Organizations need to ensure their hardware is appropriately configured for best performance.
• Learning Curve:
  Despite the intuitive drag-and-drop interface, administrators should familiarize themselves with the full range of customization options (scheduling, retention policies, etc.) to maximize the software’s potential.
• Cloud Integration Developments:
  With Azure Blob support on the horizon, early adopters should keep an eye on upcoming updates to benefit from even broader cloud compatibility.

Final Analysis: A Robust, Future-Proof Backup Solution​

Hornetsecurity’s VM Backup 9 Unlimited Plus proves to be a formidable contender in the realm of virtual machine data protection. Its blend of user-friendly design, sophisticated features, and competitive pricing makes it a compelling choice for both SMBs and large enterprises. From the initial setup on a Windows Server 2019 host to managing backups across diverse environments, every feature seems purpose-built for modern IT challenges.
To summarize the key points:

• Hornetsecurity’s VM Backup is purpose-built for VMware and Hyper-V environments, ensuring compatibility with today's virtual infrastructures.
• The drag-and-drop management console significantly reduces the complexity of configuring backup schedules and managing recovery operations.
• Licensing models are straightforward and cost-effective, with a host-based perpetual license and a flexible subscription model.
• Immutable cloud storage using Amazon S3 and Wasabi (with Azure Blob on the way) provides robust protection against ransomware.
• Performance enhancements, including constant data protection and inline deduplication, ensure efficient backup operations with minimal storage overhead.
• A comprehensive cloud console allows centralized management of multiple backup installations, enhancing operational oversight.

In a nutshell, Hornetsecurity VM Backup 9 Unlimited Plus isn’t just a backup tool—it’s a sophisticated data protection solution designed to evolve with the rapid changes in virtual environments and cybersecurity threats. Its ease of use ensures that IT teams can dedicate more time to proactive security measures rather than wrangling with complex backup software.
For IT administrators and decision-makers looking for a reliable, efficient, and future-proof backup solution, Hornetsecurity’s VM Backup 9 Unlimited Plus offers all the necessary tools to keep virtual environments secure, resilient, and recovery-ready. Whether you’re dealing with local storage challenges, the nuances of cloud integration, or the ever-present threat of ransomware, this solution stands out as an effective safeguard for your digital infrastructure.

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Source: TechRadar Hands on: I tested the Hornetsecurity VM Backup 9 Unlimited Plus - read how it works for protecting virtual environments.