Q&A: Microsoft Introduces Microsoft Data Protection Server

Q&A: Microsoft Introduces Microsoft Data Protection Server "DPS is a separate standalone server that combines the technologies of replication and point-in-time snapshot technology. Once the data is replicated to DPS, the server creates a series of snapshots that reflect how a server looks at a certain point in time. Unlike backing up from tape, these snapshots take only seconds and have no impact on the server that's being protected. It moves only the bytes of the file that have changed versus the full file, which translates to faster incremental backups for big files.
Using DPS, IT administrators have full control over how frequently they replicate the data and how many snapshots they keep on hand for fast, easy recovery. For example, administrators can choose to maintain 30 days or 60 days of snapshots. In our research, maintaining 30 days of snapshots allows companies to recover approximately 90 percent of all files that would likely ever need to be recovered. And DPS can be configured to protect servers by taking snapshots on the hour, every two hours, every day, and so on. So businesses no longer need to rely on a full backup from a production server, which means they can avoid the shrinking backup window phenomenon.
However, one of the biggest advantages that sets DPS apart from other data protection solutions is that it enables companies to not only back up but also recover files in minutes rather than the hours it usually takes to do it from tape. For example, if an administrator sets up the software to take a snapshot of a file server every day, the daily snapshot actually represents the way that file system looks at that point in time. So if a file were accidentally deleted on Thursday, but the deletion weren't discovered until the following Monday, you could easily go back to that point in time by simply browsing a file system.
Another benefit that sets DPS apart is that end users can do their own recoveries directly from the Windows XP client. By giving end users the capability to do their own recoveries, productivity is increased because users no longer need to wait for IT administrators to help them, and IT professionals can regain time back from their busy day."

See DPS home for more info. Due during 2H 2005.