Qnap launches HDP for Business Beta: NAS devices become a zero trust backup center against ransomware.
Qnap is releasing HDP for Business, a new backup solution that transforms existing NAS devices into a central backup and recovery center. The software operates within a zero trust framework and aims to offer businesses an affordable alternative to what Qnap calls expensive, specialized backup hardware.
Instead of investing in separate backup hardware, organizations can use existing x86-based Qnap NAS devices as a central backup and verification center. This should ensure data protection across multiple sites, with a lower total cost of ownership.
One platform
With this launch, Qnap aims to address the threat of ransomware and the complexity of hybrid IT environments. Today’s business environments consist of a mix of virtual machines, physical servers, and storage from various vendors, which can fragment backup management.
HDP for Business consolidates these on-premises and edge workloads on a single platform. The solution supports virtual machines from VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V and Proxmox, Windows endpoints, file servers from Nutanix, NetApp, and Qnap itself, as well as databases from Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server.
This means organizations no longer need to use multiple different backup tools side by side for each platform. This should significantly simplify IT operations.
Ransomware-proof
Qnap highlights built-in protection against ransomware. Backups created by HDP for Business are immutably locked once written via QuTS hero OS, meaning even administrators cannot modify them. Backup servers also automatically shut down outside scheduled backup windows, keeping them physically offline during an attack.
Finally, HDP for Business supports external and immutable copies via Qnap storage services or S3-compatible cloud storage such as Amazon S3 and Wasabi. This makes it immediately possible to set up offsite backups according to the 3-2-1 principle.
Recovery tests
The software automatically performs recovery and boot tests once a backup task is completed, with video recordings as evidence for IT audits. In the event of an unexpected server failure, Instant Restore can immediately run backup files as a virtual machine on the backup server, restoring services within minutes instead of hours.
Qnap positions the solution as an advanced tool for business users and therefore aims to serve this business market more extensively. To do so, the company is taking an approach that differs drastically from that of major competitor Synology. Qnap’s tool runs on existing NAS devices, whereas Synology has just developed a dedicated device. Qnap is likely partly referring to this with its dig at ‘specific backup hardware’.
Requirements and availability
HDP for Business is immediately available in Beta through the QNAP App Center. Initial support is limited to QuTS hero (h6.0.0 and later). QTS OS will receive support in due course.
On the hardware side, Qnap also has some minimum requirements. The solution requires an x86-based QNAP NAS. The Management Server runs on a system with at least a quad-core processor and 8 GB of RAM. Other x86 devices can serve as backup nodes. Immutable Backup requires QuTS hero OS. Instant Restore and Backup Verification require Virtualization Station.
Qnap is currently not charging a fee for using the solution and does not plan to roll out a per-node pricing model. The only paid component of HDP for Business is the Centralized Management License, which allows administrators to centrally manage backups across multiple environments.
Unlike established backup specialists, Qnap does not need to focus on selling software. Conversely, HDP for Business is intended to support hardware sales.