From DirectIO to Data Cloud: Extending NetBackup with a scale-out platform

Last Fall, Cohesity introduced DirectIO, enabling NetBackup customers to optimize their backup storage by writing directly to the Cohesity Data Cloud. It was a major step forward that improved performance and scalability, reduced data in transit, and lowered infrastructure costs.

And now, with the release of Cohesity Data Cloud for NetBackup, we’re not just optimizing storage—we’re integrating NetBackup itself within the Cohesity Data Cloud architecture.

Beyond storage: A new architecture for NetBackup

DirectIO connected NetBackup to our industry-leading scale-out storage platform—the same platform used by Cohesity DataProtect. Today, we are taking the next step in this evolution by bringing NetBackup media services directly onto that platform.

Instead of managing standalone media servers and external storage systems, NetBackup media services now run natively within Cohesity Data Cloud. Media services operate as platform-managed services within the cluster.

Backup data is written directly to SpanFS®, Cohesity’s distributed file system, while the primary NetBackup server remains unchanged. This creates a unified, scale-out architecture that simplifies infrastructure while maintaining the NetBackup experience our customers rely on.

Simplifying infrastructure, scaling performance

NetBackup environments involve multiple layers:

• Media servers to deploy, size, and upgrade.
• External storage appliances to manage.
• Integration points that can add complexity over time.

Cohesity Data Cloud for NetBackup removes potential complexity by consolidating all of these components into a single platform. Customers can eliminate standalone media server infrastructure, scale performance linearly by adding capacity to the cluster, reduce operational overhead with platform-managed lifecycle and upgrades, and improve concurrency and throughput with distributed execution—reaping all the benefits of a scale-out architecture that is designed from the ground up to keep up with today’s data growth.

Built-in resilience

As cyber threats evolve, security must be built into the foundation—not added on later. By running NetBackup on Cohesity Data Cloud, organizations benefit from the cyber resilience protections that are already built into the platform.

That includes immutable storage with SpanFS, encryption at rest and in transit, role-based access controls and audit logging, and most importantly, a Zero Trust-aligned architecture with strong identity controls and service isolation.

All of these capabilities come on top of NetBackup’s existing security features—anomaly detection, malware scanning, user behavior analytics, and much more—strengthening overall data protection without requiring any workflow changes.

Optimize without disruption

The biggest benefit of Cohesity Data Cloud for NetBackup is what stays the same. Administrators keep all of their existing NetBackup policies and catalogs, established operational processes, and familiar tools and workflows.

There’s no need to retrain teams or migrate to a new backup application. Instead, organizations can optimize the underlying infrastructure while continuing to operate NetBackup as they do today.

A foundation for what’s next

By bringing NetBackup onto the Cohesity Data Cloud, your organization can establish a foundation for future innovation. Storing data in Cohesity Data Cloud will enable access to broader platform capabilities such as:

• AI-driven insights and data intelligence
• Advanced cyber resilience and threat detection
• Unified data services across backup, security, and analytics

These capabilities can be adopted on a timeline that works for your organization—and when they are needed, the data will already be on the platform.

One platform, multiple paths

With this new integration, Cohesity now offers more flexibility than ever:

• Cohesity DataProtect for users ready to standardize on a new backup platform
• Cohesity Data Cloud for NetBackup for users who want to keep NetBackup while optimizing their storage architecture
• DirectIO as a bridge to bring NetBackup data onto the platform

This approach allows you to move at your own pace, using the application of your choice while aligning to a common data foundation.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’ve already adopted DirectIO, Cohesity Data Cloud for NetBackup is the natural next step—extending your investment from storage optimization to full architectural transformation.

If you’re planning a NetBackup infrastructure refresh, this is your opportunity to simplify scaling, lower your operational costs, and open the door to new possibilities and insights from your data.

We’re excited to partner with you on this journey. To learn more, contact your Cohesity representative.
 

Any unreleased services or features referenced in this blog are not currently available and may not be made generally available on time or at all, as may be determined in our sole discretion. Any such referenced services or features do not represent promises to deliver, commitments, or obligations of Cohesity, Inc. and may not be incorporated into any contract. Customers should make their purchase decisions based upon services and features that are currently generally available.