One of the problems with traditional backup programs is that they copy files individually, usually to tape, making them slow. Plus you need special agent software to backup databases and other applications while they're working. Recovering lost files can also take a long time, as can disaster recovery following a system crash.

It's these and other issues that V2i Protector from PowerQuest addresses, by taking block-by-block snapshots of system volumes in real time, while they're being used. No applications have to be shut down, the snapshots are stored on disk, and the whole process is very quick. Added to which the package includes tools to both simplify and speed up the recovery process.

Desktop and server versions of V2i Protector are both available. The desktop version can be used with either Windows XP or Windows 2000, while the more network-savvy server edition supports NT 4.0, Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003 operating systems.

The server edition is a little expensive, but it does include more functionality as well as a remote management console that can be used to manage both server and workstation snapshots. Installation is painless with both versions and, once loaded, V2i Protector makes light work of the backup and recovery process.

It has facilities to take snapshots both on demand and according to a schedule. The latest version of the server software also lets you create incremental snapshots rather than having to re-image whole volumes every time, plus there's a complementary incremental rollback to quickly restore systems to a specific point in time. A full image history is kept throughout and, as with a tape-based backup, the contents of virtual volumes can be verified for integrity after creation.

Behind the scenes, block-by-block imaging technology is used to take the snapshots, with optional compression of the data which is stored in a single file, referred to as a virtual volume. These can be stored on any network-accessible storage device, including shared server drives, NAS appliances and storage area networks. A disk-to-disk copying facility is also provided and for long-term storage there's support for writeable CD/DVD drives, with disk spanning for large files.

When it comes to recovery you simply open a virtual volume using the image browser provided and select the files to be restored. On a network you can even map drive letters to virtual volumes to enable users to recover accidentally deleted files themselves.

Restoring whole volumes is equally straightforward, as is rebuilding a crashed system using the recovery console on the bootable CD-ROM supplied. This looks and behaves like an ordinary Windows desktop and, as well as local storage, can connect to the network to locate image files for use in the recovery process.

Other image-based backup programs are available but this is one of the best and is well worth looking at. It does a great job in a straightforward manner and, once you start using it, you'll wonder how you ever managed without.

V2i Protector makes innovative use of disk imaging technology to take backups of important server and desktop volumes in real time, with no need to shut down applications. File restores and full, bare-metal disaster recovery operations are similarly straightforward. Backups and restores can both be performed remotely over a LAN.