November 11, 2016
Advanced Screenshot Verification Explained
Backup is obviously an essential part of a business continuity strategy, but backups are useless if you can’t restore from them. That’s why backup testing is so important. Datto’s patented Screenshot Verification technology was designed to give users a fast, easy way to verify that backups were successful.
With Screenshot Verification, a Datto BDR solution automatically test boots servers it is protecting and takes a screenshot of the OS login screen confirming the VM is bootable. If the test boot fails, details are provided to the user explaining what went wrong. Datto was the first to market with automated backup verification in 2011 and now it is pretty much a standard BDR feature. At DattoCon EMEA, Datto announced a major enhancement to Screenshot Verification, making it possible to verify even the most complex server backups.
Advanced Screenshot Verification takes backup testing a step further than verifying a successful boot. In addition, it runs a PowerShell or bash script on the VM to verify that applications, such as MySQL, SQL Server and Exchange, are configured properly and can be started successfully. This enables Datto Partners to deliver an even higher level of disaster readiness to their clients. This gives partners peace of mind because they know they are able to meet agreed upon BDR service agreements. And in turn, it builds trust and fosters the MSP/client relationship.
Backup testing has long been a challenge for managed service providers. It was time consuming, and in some cases, required system downtime. For these reasons, many MSPs tested infrequently, if at all, and when a backup was truly needed, they often failed Thankfully, things have improved considerably. Today, Datto Partners can be certain that restores will go off without a glitch. Advanced Screenshot Verification delivers automated backup testing with application-level visibility as often as every five minutes.