CTERA Networks Announces First Hybrid-Cloud Solution For Bare Metal And Server Backup

PETACH TIKVA, Israel & PALO ALTO, Calif. (BUSINESS WIRE) CTERA Networks, an innovator in hybrid cloud storage and data protection, today announced the availability of the first hybrid cloud solution incorporating server backup and bare metal backup. Designed for managed service providers (MSPs) and value added resellers (VARs), CTERA's Cloud Attached Storage family combines cloud and local storage, data protection, and collaboration in a simple, centrally managed appliance-based solution. CTERA is also announcing first shipments of its new data protection appliance, the CTERA C400.

"Service providers and IT solution providers are rethinking their approach to cloud services in 2010," said Mike Karp, vice president and principal analyst at Ptak Noel Associates. "By combining on-site data protection appliances with a flexible cloud-based back end, backed by a well thought out channel strategy and business model, CTERA is leading the cloud market in a whole new direction." With its extended capabilities, CTERA's Cloud Attached Storage solution now protects PCs, roaming laptops and servers with backup at both the disk and file level, stored both locally and in the cloud.

The highlights of the new release (version 2.5) include:
    * Bare-Metal Backup and Recovery: Incremental, disk-level backup of live workstations and servers, stored both locally and in the cloud
    * Server Agents: Backup and recovery of Microsoft Windows servers, including live backup of Microsoft Exchange, SQL Server and Active Directory
    * Collaboration: Inviting others to view, edit or share selected files and folders stored in the cloud or on the local appliance

The new CTERA C400 appliance is the most recent addition to CTERA's Cloud Attached Storage line of appliances. Ideal for small to medium businesses and enterprise branch offices, the CTERA C400 sports up to 8TB of local storage space, with RAID5/6 capability and four hot-swappable drive bays. A single appliance is capable of supporting sites ranging from 50 to 200 users and acts as a gateway for secure, performance-optimized cloud services.

The C400 joins CTERA's existing 2-bay C200 appliance and the small form-factor CloudPlug to cover a broad range of business storage and data protection needs. All of CTERA's appliances are remotely manageable, working in conjunction with the CTERA Portal and making it possible for VARs and MSPs to offer them as part of an own-branded, fully-managed service."As channel partners look for ways to adapt to the shift toward cloud services, CTERA provides a fast and easy way for service providers to enter the market with a compelling combination of data protection, collaboration capabilities and on-demand shared storage," said Terri McClure, senior analyst with Enterprise Strategy Group.

Today, CTERA also announced the expansion of its global distributor network, making its solutions available to more than 20,000 VARs and MSPs worldwide (see accompanying release, "CTERA Networks Expands Global Channel for Managed Cloud-Based Storage and Data Protection Services").

"Cloud Attached Storage has now come of age," said Liran Eshel, CEO of CTERA. "Since we launched Cloud Attached Storage, our technology has been received with great enthusiasm by channel partners eager to enter the emerging cloud services business. With the new generation we are announcing today, our products match and exceed the features of existing enterprise-level data protection solutions, while remaining easy to deploy and use, and providing outstanding value."

CTERA Portal 2.5 and CTERA OS 2.5 firmware for the CloudPlug, C200 and C400 appliances are available immediately to service providers and resellers.