We are looking at Isilon too, along with NetApp, BlueArc, and SoNAS.  Backups 
are a real challenge as these get large in scale.  Some observations:

1. NDMP requires periodic full backups.  This generates a lot of backup 
traffic.  If you're going over a long-haul network, this can be an issue.  Note 
there are 3 versions of NDMP (or 4?).  Some go direct to tape, some allow you 
to go to TSM.  When purchasing a NAS with NDMP support, make sure you 
understand this if you're planning to use NDMP.

2. NetApp has snapdiff integration with TSM.  Very nice.  Avoids having to walk 
the filesystem, which is a big win.  Restores can take a long time.  That's an 
advantage of NDMP, I think.  Backups are done from NAS clients.

3. SoNAS has integrated TSM client, which (I think) uses a journal in GPFS 
which again saves TSM from walking the filesystem each time.  I'm pretty sure 
about this, but not positive.  Also allows extension via TSM/HSM I believe.  
Nice on paper - no experience with it yet.

4. Isilon - has "backup accellerators".  Yes, an integrated TSM client would be 
nice (to whoever suggested this), but what you'd really want is something to 
save TSM from walking the filesystem.  I don't see this happening for the 
reason stated earlier - there's no partnership between EMC and IBM.

5. BlueArc - no experience or insight with this yet.  I think you'd either use 
NDMP or a NAS client, similar to Isilon.

We're looking at all of these (and have a NetApp), so I'm keenly interested in 
others' experiences.

..Paul


At 04:12 PM 2/2/2012, Huebner,Andy,FORT WORTH,IT wrote:
>Anyone backup an Isilon array? Using 3592 tape drives?  The sales guys say it 
>is just NDMP.
>I am looking for just basic information (good, bad, Oh Smurf!).  One may be in 
>our future.
>
>
>Andy Huebner
>
>
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--
Paul Zarnowski                            Ph: 607-255-4757
Manager, Storage Services                 Fx: 607-255-8521
719 Rhodes Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853-3801    Em: psz1 AT cornell DOT edu