What is our primary use case?
We use this product to do backups in VMware.
How has it helped my organization?
It is very important to us that NetVault supports complex hybrid data-center infrastructure because we rely on a stable backup program to be able to provide us with security and usable backups. That's exactly where NetVault comes in.
We are able to protect all of our applications and data across the company using only NetVault. This is very important to us, and NetVault does a really good job at it.
NetVault is really well integrated into the way that we back up our VMs.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features are that the backup is done using snapshots, and it has a web interface, as opposed to having to install something on our laptops.
Having the web-based interface is important to us because we can access it from any computer in the network, rather than having it installed and available for use only on a specific one.
What needs improvement?
We are unable to use the latest version due to hardware incompatibility. We need to upgrade our infrastructure to be able to run the latest version of NetVault.
With the version we are running, when Microsoft releases new updates, our backups get frozen and we have to restart them.
There are certain issues with the product that we report to Quest, and we get offered a workaround instead of a fix. There could be better interaction with the development teams, perhaps in terms of transparency.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with Quest NetVault since 2018, and it has been used within the company since before that.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Stability-wise, at the moment and with the version we've got, it's not that great. Every time Microsoft releases new updates, something happens to our backups and they get frozen over the weekend. When this happens, we have to restart them all over again.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have a limited ability to scale up or down because of the infrastructure. We need to get a more compatible server in order to scale up. We are currently going through the process of revamping our infrastructure.
We use this product very extensively. It's used as the primary source of backup for our VM infrastructure and we may have plans to increase usage within the next six to twelve months.
There is only me and one of my colleagues who use the product, and we are both system administrators. We handle the maintenance that is required, including upgrades.
How are customer service and support?
We do not subscribe to Quest Premier Support, where they are onsite with you. When we need to contact them, we either call the number or log a ticket online.
I would definitely rate their technical support a ten out of ten.
The architects that always deal with my tickets are very knowledgeable in the product and understand exactly what's going on. They're able to give us a fix, usually within the same day that they get the ticket. Sometimes, they get a lot of priority tickets, which they act on immediately. This means they're going over and above what it says in the service levels. So, they're exceeding the customers' expectations.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have used and evaluated many similar solutions to NetVault in the past, and they were more complex. NetVault is a software-based solution running on the server, and it's the easier one that I have used.
How was the initial setup?
This solution was installed before I joined the company. However, I have had to redo it a few times and have learned that it's not hard to install yourself.
What about the implementation team?
My colleague and I are the system administrators and we are responsible for the maintenance. I do the updates and 30% of the troubleshooting. If there is a major problem that I can't fix, I'll send it to Quest.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Our previous license was for a three-year period but the next one coming is for 12 months.
The price of our 12-month contract is approximately $1,500 AUD ($1,100 USD). It covers us for 295 virtual machines.
NetVault's component licensing enables us to buy only the features that we need. We've scaled it down to exactly what we require, which is more affordable for us. We recently changed our licensing model to allow us to back up an unlimited amount of data. Also, we're only using one NetVault plug-in, which means that we just need the VMware plug-in and we don't need the rest. Changing to this operational model is what has saved us money.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We are looking at other possible solutions with data graphs and infrastructure graphs, but that's coming in the future. We're also planning to upgrade NetVault because we're not running the latest version.
What other advice do I have?
My advice for anybody who is considering NetVault is that if they're looking for something really easy to use, and they want to back up their VMware environment, then NetVault would be a wise choice. It's not complicated to set up, and it has great after-sales support. They really care about their customers.
The biggest lesson that I have learned from using NetVault is from a configurability point of view. This is a product that is easy to set up and troubleshoot, whereas there are more complex solutions out there that aren't, and require more digging and more research.
I would rate this solution an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
*Disclosure: PeerSpot contacted the reviewer to collect the review and to validate authenticity. The reviewer was referred by the vendor, but the review is not subject to editing or approval by the vendor.