Disaster Recovery A Snap For Small Biz

San Jose, Calif.-based Snap Appliance has begun shipping its Snap Server network-attached storage (NAS) appliances with Symantec's V2i Protector Server Edition. The application backs up and encapsulates a server's active state--including its operating system, files and personal settings--in a single file. That file enables a complete "bare metal" system restoration, a full system refresh or a restoration of individual files or folders, Snap executives said Tuesday.

V2i was developed by PowerQuest, acquired last December by Symantec, Cupertino, Calif. This is the first time Snap has included backup and disaster-recovery software with its NAS appliances, said Jean Banko, director of product marketing at the company.

Banko said Snap decided to offer the bundle because many of its partners already add the Symantec software to the Snap appliance on their own. The company is exploring possible bundles with other Symantec software, she said.

Snap offers two available combinations: The Remote Office Disaster Recovery Solution, priced at $1,799, includes a Snap Server 1100, with 250-Gbyte capacity, and one license of the V2i Protector Server Edition. The Branch Office Disaster Recovery Solution comprises a Snap Server 2200, at 500-Gbyte capacity, and one license of the V2i Protector Server Edition. It has a list price of $2,799.

Both prices reflect a 16 percent discount, or more than $330, off the list of the appliance and server sold separately, Banko said. Solution providers typically enjoy margins of 15 percent with the NAS appliances and can expect a margin of about 18 percent with the bundle, she said.

The bundled prices are available for the next 90 days. Snap's NAS appliances are distributed through Tech Data, Ingram Micro and Bell Microelectronics.