Here at MSP360, we are proud to announce the major release of the MSP360 Backup version 7.0. It introduces a number of critical changes and updates with the most important of them all - the entirely new backup format. It allows to speed up backup and recovery processes, deduplicate files, and so much more! Read on to learn more.
What’s New in MSP360 Backup 7.0
The new backup format is structured as a monolith block that combines all source files, machines, and volumes. This format supports compression, encryption, and additionally client-side deduplication. Keep reading to learn more about the new backup format’s features.
Note, to make use of the new backup format, you should create new backup plans.
Image-Based Backup
The MSP360 Backup 7.0 enhances the scanning process of image-based backups to speed up the backup process. It is called block tracking. It reduces incremental backup time significantly -- for instance, from 1 hour to 5 minutes.
Further reading Image-based backup
Client-Side Deduplication
The new backup format allows backup of deduplicated data to storage. Deduplication is done directly on the client side, reducing both the amount of data sent to storage and the time needed for upload.
Continuous Uploading
In previous versions of MSP360 Backup, data had to be re-uploaded in the event that the backup was interrupted, and upload resume was available for IBB and file-level backups only. Now, if a backup fails, data that has already been uploaded can be used on the next run. Note that upload resume is now available for all backup types.
Restore Verification
Another great feature of the new backup format is restore verification. Now, this can be done as soon as the backup has finished. It works as follows: as soon as a backup is completed, an agent runs a temporary virtual machine to check machine resilience and ensure that this backup can be used as a restore point. You can check the result of this operation on the backup storage tab. If the checkbox is activated, it means that restore verification has passed.
Consistency Checks
In previous versions of MSP360 Backup, consistency checks could be run either manually or according to a schedule. In the new backup format, we make sure that all files required for that restore point exist in backup storage. This protects you from losing data (for example, when some of the files in your backup storage get corrupted, or when you replace your local NAS device storing the backup files).
Backup Plan
Previously, MSP360 Backup enabled users to store backup configurations as a backup plan on a separate basis. In MSP360 Backup 7.0, backup plans are included in backup data.
Synthetic Full Backup
Another key feature of the new backup format is that synthetic full backup will be available for all supported backup types (file-level, IBB, VMware), allowing you to leverage AWS, Microsoft Azure, Backblaze B2, and Wasabi cloud storage.
Further reading Synthetic Full Backup
File Backup
The new backup format also brings several enhancements to file-level backup, including:
- Faster backup and restore for a large number of files;
- Reduced number of requests;
- Faster synchronization (part of the restore is carried out on another machine);
- Faster purge.
Previous versions of MSP360 Backup didn’t support certain characters. In the new backup format, you can use emojis, hexadecimal numbers, etc. Also, in this version, there is no need to encrypt filenames, as all files are combined in archives.
Backup Log
The new backup format allows you to make a record of backup processes to track operations and use these records for easier troubleshooting in the event that there are issues with backups.
Retention Policy
We’ve simplified the mechanics of the retention policy step. It’s now very straightforward; you only need to choose the timespan for which the backups should be kept.
Further reading Backup Retention Policy and Scheduling Best Practices
Improved GUI
The improvements make the UI more convenient and simplified. We’ve unified the design of the schedule step for image-based and file-level backup, added a password hint on the compression and encryption step, including a graphic display of the depth of consistency checks, and more.
Check out our video walkthrough of the new backup format and new GUI in the MSP360 Backup 7.0
Conclusion
MSP360 Backup 7.0 is a major update that will bring your backups to the next level in terms of speed and reliability. Do you have any questions on how the new backup format works? Feel free to ask us in the comments.
