Introducing the New NetApp BlueXP backup and recovery with Microsoft SQL support (Early access program)
Reliable data backups are crucial in today's dynamic data management landscape. NetApp leads the way with its cutting-edge solutions, and the new BlueXP backup raises the bar higher.
This blog introduces the exciting enhancements to BlueXP backup and recovery with support for Microsoft SQL Server backups (preview release).
Evolution of BlueXP Backup and Recovery
The existing release provides application-consistent backups for applications and VMs through SnapCenter integration, offering data protection for snapshots from on-premises ONTAP primary to cloud providers.
However, as data environments grow more complex, many of you shared feedback around the need for a more integrated and seamless solution. The new BlueXP backup and recovery delivers on this promise by eliminating SnapCenter integration and adding native support for MSSQL apps. Going forward, we will continue on this path to provide a single native solution to manage applications, VMs, and Kubernetes workloads, ensuring application-consistent backups.
You asked, we delivered: Microsoft SQL backups in BlueXP backup and recovery
The new BlueXP backup and recovery is designed to bring simplicity, performance, and cost efficiency to all your workloads, including volumes, and databases. offers a more integrated and intuitive experience. Let's explore the key features and benefits of this new service.
- Simplicity and Integration
- The new BlueXP backup and recovery service allows you to back up applications directly through the service. This integration simplifies the backup process, making it more accessible and efficient for users.
- Comprehensive Data Protection
- With BlueXP backup and recovery, you can easily define a complete 3-2-1 data protection strategy. This strategy involves creating three copies of your data, storing them on two different types of media, and keeping one copy off-site. The service supports primary to secondary to object store backups for volumes, databases, VMs, and Kubernetes, all from a unified control plane.
- Performance and Cost Efficiency
- The new service is designed to optimize performance while reducing costs. By leveraging cloud storage options like AWS S3 and Azure Blob, as well as on-premises solutions like StorageGRID, you can choose the most cost-effective and efficient storage options for your backup needs.
- SQL Server Backup Support
- One of the standout features of the preview release is the support for Microsoft SQL Server backups. The service is designed to help customers define, manage, and execute their SQL backup policies, ensuring complete 3-2-1 protection with backups to object storage both in the cloud and on-premises.
- SnapCenter users now have a Backup as a Service option
- For SnapCenter users who have been requesting backup as a service, the new BlueXP backup and recovery provides that option. This eliminates the need to manage and support SnapCenter software, streamlining the backup process and reducing administrative overhead.
How It Works: Three Simple Steps
The new BlueXP backup and recovery service is designed to be user-friendly and straightforward. Here are the three simple steps to get started:
- Discover Workloads
- The first step is to discover the workloads you want to protect. The service detects and lists all your volumes, databases, VMs, and Kubernetes clusters, making it easy to select the ones you need to back up.
- Create Policy
- Next, you create a backup policy that defines how often backups should be taken, where they should be stored, and how long they should be retained. The policy can be customized to meet your specific requirements, ensuring that your data is protected according to your needs.
- Protect Workload
- Finally, you apply the backup policy to the selected workloads. The service takes care of the rest, automatically performing backups according to the defined schedule and storing them in the chosen locations.
How to Get Started with BlueXP Backup and Recovery Microsoft SQL Preview Program
The preview is an early access opportunity for enrolled customers and partners interested in exploring, getting hands-on experience, and sharing feedback. This service is available as a limited preview in February and is expected to reach General Availability (GA) by June 2025. Sign up today! Complete this form to gain access to the preview program.
Upon completing the form, you will receive a welcome email with program details, including instructions on how to log in to BlueXP to obtain your Organizational ID. Share your Organizational ID with the BlueXP product team. Within 48-72 hours, you'll gain access to the service and can start exploring its features and providing feedback.
Conclusion
The new BlueXP backup and recovery service represents a significant step forward in data protection. By bringing simplicity, performance, and cost efficiency to all your workloads, it offers a comprehensive solution for modern data environments. The preview release is just the beginning of our strategy to provide a fully integrated data protection platform for all your data and hypervisors. We invite you to join the preview and help shape the future of BlueXP backup and recovery.
Watch the Video!
Have questions? Reach out to us!
salil.kakkar@netapp.com, Ebin.kadavy@netapp.com, jacob.a@netapp.com
Salil Kakkar , Ebin Kadavy, Jacob John Andathethu (Product)
Richard Treadway (Marketing)
