When we began with RecoverPoint, it was primarily a block IO replication solution between the storage systems. It is not at the level of VMs. Initially, we had limited experience with VMs. We are still working with IO splitting. It is a solution that integrates with the storage area network, SAN.
The generalization of the journals allows us to go back in time and choose the snapshot suitable for us. We can grab it as needed. It is very powerful in journalization, with the most user-friendly interface. It is a very simple tool to use and offers flexibility in using the tool for recovery and transitioning from one state to another. We can go back half an hour, one hour, or two hours before to get a cleaner image of the data.
The biggest challenge we faced was attempting replication between two different kinds of storage systems, like IBM on one side and Dell EMC storage systems on the other, before opting for VPLEX.
Initially, making the two storage systems replicate was not an easy task. There was a splitting in the fiber switches at first. Then, the RPAs, which manage replication, would move the IO blocks to the second system. In the end, the two systems were not the same, which made it difficult to synchronize them.
However, we succeeded in replicating smoothly with Oracle databases and Windows machines. When we acquired the VPLEX Virtual solutions, it became much easier. It was a piece of cake to do the replication between two VPLEX systems since they communicate in the same language.
Even if there is a problem, for example, if the fiber switch is down, when we fix the issue, the system automatically returns to normal by itself.
I would rate technical support a six and a half.
We used IBM Power systems before. For replication, the first solution we used was RecoverPoint. We were looking for simplicity. Hyperconvergent infrastructures like Nutanix or VxRail proved easy to use. Nutanix was seen as better than VxRail.
I'm satisfied with what we did ten or 15 years ago. In the beginning, it was good and rapid. I would rate it eight and a half out of ten.
Most of the time, we buy perpetual license solutions.
In the beginning, we encountered heterogeneous data systems. It wasn't that simple to make them replicate. It's like Dell working on a legacy platform, which is supposed to be end of support.
For the overall product rating, I would rate it nine out of ten.
