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Scality-Veeam Appliance

Research Note: Scality-Veeam Unified Software Appliance

Scality and Veeam have developed a unified software appliance that runs on commodity x86 servers. It combines Scality’s ARTESCA object storage with Veeam’s Backup and replication software.

The new integration promises to streamline deployment, enhance security, and reduce implementation costs. It also eliminates the need for separate physical or virtual infrastructure for Veeam while providing a hardened security environment with reduced attack surface.

Initial deployments will support single-node configurations for small to medium implementations, with multi-node scalability planned for future releases.

Technical Details

The Scality ARTESCA + Veeam unified software appliance combines two previously distinct components into a single deployment framework:

Core Architecture:

  • Single software appliance running on commodity x86 hardware
  • Supports servers from major vendors including Dell, HPE, Lenovo, and Supermicro
  • Initial deployment as single-node configuration, with multi-node capabilities planned
  • Capacity ranges from 20 VMs/TBs to hundreds of VMs/TBs per node

Security Framework:

  • Operates on ARTESCA OS, a security-optimized Linux distribution
  • Minimized package installation with only essential components
  • Elimination of root/superuser privileges
  • Internal-only communication between Veeam and storage components
  • No exposed S3 endpoints accessible from external sources
  • No requirement for external DNS resolution
  • No IAM access keys or secret keys shared outside the appliance

Integration Features:

  • Single-pane-of-glass monitoring and management
  • Unified security framework across backup and storage layers
  • Direct infrastructure-level integration between backup software and storage target
  • Compatible with existing Veeam deployment and management procedures

Deployment Specifications:

  • Supports validated hardware configurations from major server vendors
  • Channel partners receive documentation and tooling for installation
  • Unified software deployment model simplifies implementation

The integration creates direct communication paths between the Veeam software and ARTESCA storage, eliminating network hops, authentication challenges, and potential security vulnerabilities that exist in separate deployments.

The combined software stack runs within the hardened ARTESCA OS environment, which provides additional security controls beyond what typical virtualized environments offer.

Impact to IT Organizations

The new offering promises both operational and cost benefits, along with some simple trade-offs.

Operational Benefits:

  • Reduction in deployment complexity through unified software appliance
  • Simplified management through consolidated monitoring interface
  • Decreased time-to-deployment with pre-validated hardware configurations
  • Reduced infrastructure footprint with single-server deployment
  • Lower administrative overhead by eliminating separate storage system management
  • Streamlined patching and updates through unified software stack

Cost Implications:

  • Potential 30% reduction in deployment cost through consolidated infrastructure
  • Lower hardware acquisition costs by eliminating separate storage systems
  • Reduced operational expenses through simplified management
  • Decreased power, cooling, and rack space requirements
  • Potential licensing efficiencies through combined solution
  • Reduction in integration labor costs and ongoing management expenses

Trade-offs:

  • Reliance on single vendor for both backup and storage components
  • Potential performance impact from running both workloads on same hardware
  • Limited scalability in initial single-node configurations
  • Dependency on Scality for security updates and patch management

Analysis

The new Scality ARTESCA + Veeam unified software appliance is an attractive deployment vehicle for Veeam environments. Through its consolidated approach, it simplifies implementations and enhances security posture. The solution addresses legitimate pain points around complexity, security, and infrastructure costs in backup deployments but also faces competition from both traditional and emerging alternatives.

The initial single-node limitation constrains the solution’s applicability in larger environments. At the same time, the lack of native deduplication at the storage layer may impact data efficiency compared to purpose-built backup appliances.

However, the security benefits derived from the hardened operating environment and eliminating external endpoints provide meaningful differentiation from traditional deployments.

The unified appliance offers a compelling alternative to separated implementations for organizations prioritizing deployment simplicity and enhanced security in their backup infrastructure.

Competitive Outlook & Advice to IT Buyers

The Scality-Veeam solution occupies a middle ground between traditional separate deployments and fully integrated backup appliances. It delivers many benefits of purpose-built systems while maintaining the flexibility of software-defined infrastructure.

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Disclosure: The author is an industry analyst, and NAND Research an industry analyst firm, that engages in, or has engaged in, research, analysis, and advisory services with many technology companies, which may include those mentioned in this article. The author does not hold any equity positions with any company mentioned in this article.

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