Most backup vendors have not introduced SharePoint-specific add-ons with any substantial capabilities
Computerworld Opinion by Jim Damoulakis, GlassHouse CTO

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9008906

One of the challenges that infrastructure managers continually face is effective data protection management at the application level. Most backup applications and reporting tools are designed to operate at the server level, a notion that presents problems when what you're protecting is an application. The problem is often compounded by the fact that applications themselves often do not behave in a manner that is conducive for easy backup application integration.

A well-known example of this is Microsoft Exchange, which has traditionally caused heartburn for data protection administrators. Over the generations, Exchange has evolved from its early days when the only way recover a message was to have a standby Exchange domain in place and then perform a full Information Store recovery, locate the message, and copy and import it into the production server (how many of you still do this?). With application programming interfaces to better support backup services and a wide range of newer third party products, the protection process for current Exchange versions has become easier to manage and more robust.

However, another Microsoft application is rapidly gaining momentum within organizations, and it presents data protection challenges that could dwarf Exchange. I am referring to SharePoint, Microsoft's enterprise content and collaboration application. Early adopters, I'm sure, can relate to the above comments regarding Exchange, as the method for recovery of individual documents in SharePoint is reminiscent of early Exchange. Microsoft is getting set to roll out the newest version called Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, and many organizations, large and small, are actively planning adoption. This next version promises a number of new features and administrative enhancements.

As companies move to SharePoint, one likely impact will be a transition from backing up lots of files housed in shared file systems to backing up monolithic databases. As might be expected, Microsoft provides some basic functional tools for backup, but to effectively manage SharePoint data most organizations will turn to third party tools.

Up to this point, most of the major enterprise backup vendors have not introduced SharePoint-specific add-ons with any substantial capabilities. For advanced SharePoint support within an integrated backup product today, users must look to Commvault Systems Inc., or for SharePoint-specific solutions to specialty vendor AvePoint. I expect this situation to change when SharePoint 2007 rolls out.

If you are currently managing a SharePoint environment or planning to do so, I'd love to here how you are handling functions like backup/recovery, archiving, and DR in your organization. Write to me, and I will consolidate and share experiences in a future column.

Jim Damoulakis is chief technology officer of GlassHouse Technologies Inc., a leading provider of independent storage services. He can be reached at jimd@glasshouse.com