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netapp backup

NetApp File Share Backup
with Zmanda Pro

Protect NetApp ONTAP file shares with automated backups, long-
term retention, and up to 50% lower TCO.

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Why choose third-party backup
for NetApp file shares

NetApp ONTAP provides powerful storage with SnapMirror and SnapVault, but backing up file shares via standard protocols offers critical advantages for extended protection and cost control.

Extended retention beyond primary storage
Move backups off expensive NetApp primary storage to cost-effective cloud (AWS S3, Azure, Google Cloud) or tape, freeing up NetApp capacity for production workloads without consuming SnapVault licenses.

Unified backup management
Manage NetApp file share backups alongside Windows servers, VMware, databases, Microsoft 365, and cloud workloads from a single console—eliminating the need for NetApp-specific backup tools and multiple management interfaces.

Cross-platform recovery flexibility
Restore files from NetApp shares (NetApp files) to any SMB/NFS target, enabling flexible DR scenarios, cloud migration, or temporary recovery locations without NetApp-specific restore procedures or dependencies.

How Zmanda Pro protects NetApp file shares

NetApp's advanced storage architecture demands equally
sophisticated backup orchestration. Zmanda Pro seamlessly integrates
with ONTAP's native capabilities while adding enterprise backup
features that transform snapshots into comprehensive data protection.

Protocol-based backup via SMB/CIFS and NF - Connect to NetApp ONTAP file shares using standard SMB/CIFS (Windows) or NFS (Linux) protocols.

Incremental backup with deduplication - After the initial full backup, capture only new and modified files to reduce backup windows and minimize storage consumption.

Granular file and folder recovery - Restore individual files, specific folders, or entire share contents. Filter recoveries by date range, file type, or path to quickly find exactly what you need without restoring entire volumes.

Storage optimization - Client-side deduplication typically achieves 80-90% reduction for code and text-based repositories, and 60-80% for SQL database schemas.

Advanced NetApp backup capabilities

Comprehensive NetApp file share coverage

File shares are backed up using normal network mounts, making this approach compatible with Windows and Linux environments without requiring NetApp-specific agents or APIs.

Flexible backup scheduling

Create automated backup schedules based on share importance, departments, or data sensitivity. Backups can be scheduled as frequently as once per hour, with scheduling effectiveness dependent on file share size, change rates, and available network bandwidth.

Multi-destination flexibility

Store NetApp file share backups anywhere—local disk, NAS, AWS S3, Azure Blob, Google Cloud Storage, or Zmanda Cloud Storage with predictable per-TB pricing. Automated tiering moves older backups to cost-effective storage without manual intervention.

Immutable backup protection

Create ransomware-proof backup copies with WORM storage. Air-gapped options ensure your NetApp data remains recoverable even during sophisticated cyberattacks targeting production storage.

You choose the location, we provide the protection

What our clients say

“46% cost reduction
with Zmanda”

No more surprise costs. Zmanda's pricing is transparent - we know exactly what we'll pay next year. Plus, no mandatory training, no overhead!

Sr. DB Advisory

Financial Services

“Big cost reduction
with Zmanda”

No more surprise costs. Zmanda's pricing is transparent - we know exactly what we'll pay next year. Plus, no overhead!

Sr. Manager

Data center solutions

“Helps me be
efficient in my role”

Zmanda's monitoring alerts, reporting, and third-party integrations have boosted my efficiency. The support team is responsive and reliable, ensuring our security and compliance needs are met.

Sr. DB Advisory

Financial Services

“Zmanda’s software
and customer support
has been great”

Zmanda has spent time helping with any bugs, explaining errors, and adding necessary features so we can continue to transition from our old backup software to Zmanda Enterprise.

Their effort has helped to keep our backups rolling!

Systems Programmer

Researchgate

“Good software,
impeccable support
experience”

Zmanda’s support is outstanding and the software is incredibly easy to use. It works reliably with exceptional flexibility. We’re able to use it across all our different setups.

Chief Executive Officer

Computer & Network Security

Talk to a backup expert

Start protecting your NetApp file shares with Zmanda Pro, developed by engineers passionate about making enterprise backup simple and affordable.

FAQs

Yes. Since Zmanda Pro backs up files via SMB/NFS protocols, you can restore to any system that supports these protocols—Windows File Server, Linux NFS server, different NAS vendor, or cloud file services. This provides DR flexibility that NetApp-native backups don't offer.

Zmanda Pro backs up file content via SMB/NFS access, independent of NetApp snapshots. This means your backups are stored off-array on your chosen destination (cloud, disk, tape), providing true protection against array failure or data center loss—unlike NetApp snapshots which remain on primary or secondary NetApp storage.

Individual file recovery typically takes seconds to minutes, depending on file size and network speed. Large share restoration depends on data volume but begins streaming immediately. Recovery speed is comparable to restoring from any network-based backup, not dependent on NetApp-specific restore mechanisms.

No additional NetApp licenses are required. As long as your NetApp system has SMB/CIFS or NFS file sharing configured (standard functionality), Zmanda Pro can back up the shares. This eliminates SnapVault, SnapProtect, or other NetApp backup-specific licensing costs.

SnapMirror/SnapVault are NetApp-native replication tools that require NetApp secondary systems and consume SnapVault licensing. Zmanda Pro backs up via SMB/NFS protocols to any storage destination (cloud, disk, tape) at upto 50% lower TCO. The key advantage: unified management of NetApp file shares alongside your other infrastructure from one console, plus flexible restore to any SMB/NFS target.

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