Features and enhancements that Commvault wants to highlight in this innovation release are listed here, with a link to full documentation for the feature, if available.
Cloud Workload Protection
AWS Asia Pacific (Malaysia) Region is now protected
Commvault now supports the protection for supported workloads in the new AWS Asia Pacific (Malaysia) Region, also known as ap-southeast-5. Commvault supports deployment to, integration with, and protection of the following AWS services: Amazon Aurora, AWS CloudFormation, Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon Elastic Block Store (Amazon EBS), Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2), Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (Amazon EKS), AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), AWS Key Management Service (AWS KMS), AWS Organizations, Amazon Redshift, Amazon Relational Database Service (Amazon RDS), AWS Security Token Service, Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3), AWS Systems Manager, Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (Amazon VPC), and VM Import/Export. You can get started today by deploying Commvault from the AWS Marketplace.
More Information
- AWS Regions and Availability Zones Supported for Amazon RDS
- AWS Regions and Availability Zones Supported for Amazon Redshift
- AWS Regions and Availability Zones Supported for Amazon DynamoDB
- Support for AWS Regions and Availability Zones for Amazon EC2 and Amazon VPC
- AWS Regions and Availability Zones Supported for Amazon S3
Adaptive Live Browse file-level restore
You can now perform a Live Browse recovery without having to select a preferred access node. Adaptive Live Browse accelerates recovery by autoconfiguring the best access node at runtime. This enhancement streamlines cloud operations by removing manual processes from file-level recovery.
Adaptive Live Browse is available during guest file recovery from Amazon, Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle Cloud, and Broadcom VMware Virtual Machines.
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Amazon EBS volume attach restores now offer customization
You can now customize Amazon EBS volume type, encryption keys, throughput, and IOPS during an Amazon EBS volume restore. You can tune your recovered EBS volumes to meet your security, performance, and cost objectives. You can intelligently recover your instances and volumes with original settings or customize on a per-volume basis. True cyber resilience includes the ability to perform reliable cost-aware recovery testing, which custom EBS volume recovery delivers.
More Information
- Attaching a Volume to an Existing Amazon EC2 Instance
- Attaching a Volume to a New Amazon EC2 Instance
Automated Amazon EBS and Amazon Machine Image (AMI) Orphaned Resource Cleanup
With this feature, you can automate the identification and deprecation of orphaned Amazon EBS snapshots and Amazon Machine Images (AMIs). Orphaned resources are outdated or unused recovery points held in your AWS accounts that are no longer required by your retention policies. You have the flexibility to automatically monitor and clean up orphaned resources or to perform manual inspection and cleanup.
Removing unused resources helps you reduce your overall monthly spend on Amazon EBS snapshots, resulting in continuous cost savings.
More Information
- Automated AMI and EBS Snapshot Cleanup for Amazon EC2
- Identifying and Deleting Orphaned Amazon EC2 AMIs and Snapshots
CosmosDB (MongoDB): Backup and Recovery
The CosmosDB (MongoDB) feature allows Commvault customers to efficiently secure their Azure CosmosDB for MongoDB data. Not only does it provide cost effective long-term retention when compared with native backups, but it also facilitates both data protection and recovery beyond Azure subscriptions or Cosmos DB accounts.
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Customize Persistent Disks During Restore
You can select the persistent disk type, name, IOPS, and throughput during restores or migrations to Google Cloud VMs. Previously, restores applied smart defaults or the original VM disk type settings, and IOPS and throughput were not preserved, requiring manual adjustments after the restore. You can either accept smart defaults or customize each recovered disk to align with your performance and cost goals. True cyber resilience demands reliable, cost-effective recovery, which customized disk recovery now provides.
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Software links
SaaS links
- N/A as SaaS doesn't officially support GCP yet.
Enhancements to the Protection of Azure Object Storage and Azure Table Storage, and Azure Object Storage Discovery
In this release, we have made the following enhancements to the protection of Azure Object Storage and Azure Table Storage, as well as Azure Object Storage discovery:
- If a storage account no longer meets the specified discovery rules, it will be disabled from backup until it meets the discovery rules again.
- If a storage account is deleted in Azure, backup jobs will be disabled to avoid failures.
- When creating discovery rules, you can preview what will be included to ensure the rules are set correctly.
- Added more granular controls to filter individual tables with Azure Table Storage backups
- Fixed an issue that would mark synthetic fulls as failed if there was no data in the incremental jobs between synths.
Network-Optimized Backups for Kubernetes
The Kubernetes agent has been upgraded to enhance backup performance and reliability, especially for large objects such as persistent volumes. Now, backup data flows directly from the Commvault worker pod to MediaAgents and optionally to Cloud Storage via the Storage Accelerator. This reduces the load on the Kubernetes API server and increases reliability of backup operations.
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Preserve Disk Name During Restore
Commvault Cloud will now preserve disk names when restoring Google Cloud VMs or persistent disks. Previously, the disk name was inherited from the source snapshot. Retaining the original disk name ensures that automated cloud operations continue to function seamlessly for restored VMs.
More Information
- Restoring Full Google Cloud Platform Instances In Place
- Restoring Full Google Cloud Platform Instances Out of Place
- Attaching a Disk to a Google Cloud Platform Instance
Protect DynamoDB tables using S3 export method
DynamoDB tables can now be protected using the native S3 export method and restored from a point-in-time backup. This removes front-end DynamoDB costs and eliminates any performance impact to production workloads while performing the backups.
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Recover to Amazon EC2 Dedicated Hosts
You can now recover Amazon EC2 instances to Amazon EC2 Dedicated Hosts. Dedicated Hosts are physical servers with EC2 instance capacity fully dedicated for your use. Dedicated Hosts help you reduce costs by allowing you to use your existing server-bound software licenses, including Windows Server, SQL Server, and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, and can also help you meet compliance requirements.
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- Restoring Full Amazon EC2 Instances In Place
- Restoring a Single Full Amazon EC2 Instance Out of Place
- Restoring Multiple Full Amazon EC2 Instances Out of Place
- Now Available: Amazon EC2 Dedicated Hosts, and the ability to use existing server-bound licenses
Support for Amazon RDS Point-In-Time Recovery using native automated snapshots
Commvault has enabled support for Amazon RDS snapshot backup using native automated snapshots to achieve point-in-time recovery (PITR). With this feature, admins can easily recover their Amazon RDS database to a specified PIT, providing a safeguard against accidental writes and deletes.
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Enabling Point in Time Restore for Amazon RDS Instances
VM Conversion to AWS and Azure Now Supports Resource Tagging
You can now add, remove, update, and delete resource tags applied to compute instances created during multi-cloud VM conversion. Previously, there was no way for customers to apply resource tags during migration. Now, Amazon EC2 instances and Azure virtual machines can have resource tags customized during recovery, replication, and migration activities.This enables you to leverage your existing tag-based automated operations and security operations in cloud, ensuring efficient and secure cloud operations.
More Information
- Amazon EC2 - Restoring a Single Full Amazon EC2 Instance Out of Place
- Amazon EC2 - Restoring Multiple Full Amazon EC2 Instances Out of Place
- Azure - Restoring a Full Azure Virtual Machine Out of Place
Commvault Cloud Platform
Self Service NAS Onboarding Wizard
The enhanced file storage setup offers a simplified self-service onboarding for NAS, Qumulo File Storage, and Nutanix Files servers. The onboarding now includes a connection test for NetApp, Dell EMC Isilon, and Huawei devices.
Simplified Data Retention with Days-Based Approach
The days-based retention simplifies data management by eliminating the need to consider cycles in data aging. This approach helps you retain data for appropriate duration with ease to align with your business retention requirements.
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On Prem Protection
Enable 1-Touch backup by default for Linux file servers
1-Touch backup will be enabled by default for Linux File Servers in both software and SaaS. This enables the clients to perform bare-metal recovery (BMR) when needed. When 1-Touch backup is enabled on Linux clients, the backup operation type changes from "Backup" to "1-Touch Backup."
Import Avamar Protected Filesystem Data to Commvault
This feature enables administrators to efficiently and securely import Avamar long-term protected filesystem data to Commvault with improved performance and scalability, making it easier to manage and safeguard all data with Commvault. It also allows for seamless browsing and restoration of the imported data from the Command Center.
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Import Networker Protected Filesystem Data to Commvault
This feature enables administrators to efficiently and securely import Networker long-term protected filesystem data to Commvault with improved performance and scalability, making it easier to manage and safeguard all data with Commvault. It also allows for seamless browsing and restoration of the imported data from the Command Center.
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Import Veeam's Protected Filesystem and VM data to Commvault
This feature enables administrators to efficiently and securely import Veeam's long-term protected Filesystem and Virtual Machine data to Commvault with improved performance and scalability, making it easier to manage and safeguard all data in one central location. It also allows for seamless browsing and restoration of the imported data from the Command Center.
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Improve MySQL database log backup support with disk caching
Enable frequent and efficient log backups of MySQL databases at scale using disk caching. This feature ensures enhanced security by encrypting and compressing logs during the backup process.
More Information
- Adding an Automatic Database Log Backup
- Configurations for RPO
- Creating an Automatic Schedule for Database Log Backups
- Scheduling Database Log Backups Using Disk Caching
Proxmox support in SaaS
With Proxmox support in SaaS, Commvault users can now configure Proxmox VE directly through the SaaS portal without needing assistance. This empowers users to easily manage their Proxmox VE environment, improving efficiency and allowing for quick adjustments as needed without the need for technical intervention.
Restore Migrated Data on Object Store from the Command Center
You can browse, restore, and download legacy third-party migrated data on Object Store from the Command Center. This feature allows administrators to manage, monitor, and perform all migration operations from a single unified interface.
VMe Windows: VMe to Azure without block-level backup
The process of converting a Windows File System to an Azure Virtual Machine is enhanced and simplified. The VirtualizeMe process can now use file-level system-state backups, removing the requirement for a block-level backup.
VMware Cloud Director 10.6 Support
The VMware Cloud Director 10.6 Support feature provides customers with the ability to use the Commvault plug-in to easily manage their virtual environments. This feature enables customers to efficiently perform operations and gives them greater control over their cloud infrastructure.
Project Trident: Commvault Security Solutions
AWS Support for Cleanroom Recovery in SaaS
Cleanroom Recovery now offers efficient data recovery into the AWS cloud. With automated instance conversion, you can effortlessly convert instances from various environments into Amazon EC2 instances without any manual intervention. This feature streamlines the recovery process and significantly reduces recovery time.
Cleanroom Recovery into AWS
Cleanroom recovery into AWS enables effortless and smooth test recovery of protected compute workloads. AWS Cleanroom helps you minimize the mean time to recovery by allowing you to validate recovery runbooks and playbooks ahead of any recovery event. Additionally, the isolated Cleanroom environment facilitates meticulous forensic investigations, separate from production workloads.
CrowdStrike Integration
The CrowdStrike integration allows customers to enhance their cybersecurity defenses by combining the capabilities of CrowdStrike Falcon with our enterprise backup and recovery platform. This integration enables early detection of threats, ensuring quick and coordinated responses to protect backup assets and sensitive data. Customers can initiate proactive recovery actions, reinforcing their security posture and providing peace of mind.
Region Support for Backup and Recovery of a Control Plane (Coming in April 2025)
You can upload backup sets to a specific region of your choice. This allows you to recover your control plane into the desired region when a control plane is recovered during Cleanroom recovery. This empowers you with unparalleled control and flexibility in managing backup and recovery operations.
Repave Nutanix AHV VMs into Azure Cleanroom
This feature enables customers to easily repave their Nutanix AHV VMs into the Cleanroom in Azure using secure golden images, reducing the time and effort required during recovery. By leveraging both public marketplace and private custom templates, customers can quickly restore data without transferring OS drive contents ensuring they recovery from a know good state.
Restoring File Server (Network File Shares) Files into Azure Cleanroom (Coming in May 2025)
You can now restore files from file servers (Windows and NAS) into Azure Files. This facilitates recovery of both virtual machines and file servers into an Azure Cleanroom environment. The restored files can be mounted to the respective VMs based on the original configuration, ensuring easy accessibility of the files. This provides a seamless and efficient way to restore and access important files in the Azure Cleanroom environment.
Support for deleting a Cleanroom-recovered Control Plane
You can now delete a Cleanroom recovered control plane on-demand.
The delete operation performs the following:
- Cleans up the recovered control plane immediately after the testing is completed.
- Resets the Cleanroom so you can use a different backup to recreate a new control plane inside the same Cleanroom.
Threat Scan Integration with Azure Cleanroom for Threat Analysis
Commvault is excited to announce the integration of Threat Scan for virtual machines, significantly enhancing the recovery process in Cleanroom. You can now experience improved recovery efficiency and enhanced security.
Key Features:
- Detailed Reporting: View comprehensive Threat Scan results within recovery groups, enabling informed decision-making for comprehensive security scans.
- Automated Alerts and Reports: Receive notifications about potential threats and recommendations for remediation. This helps you implement proactive security measures.
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SaaS Applications and Active Directory
Active Directory forest recovery
Backup & Recovery for Active Directory Enterprise Edition enables organizations to quickly recover from catastrophic ransomware attacks and irreversible forest corruption. Commvault Cloud orchestrates the full forest recovery of Active Directory, restoring domain controllers in parallel to minimize downtime and disruption to the business.
Domain controllers can be restored to new VMs to confirm any artifacts of ransomware are eliminated.
Critical AD hygiene steps—like seizing FSMO roles and adjusting the RID pool—are automatically handled at the appropriate points during the recovery to help maintain the integrity of the restored directory.
The runbook view gives you increased control of the forest recovery plan and simplifies the task of regular disaster recovery testing.
The topology view visually illustrates the domains and domain controllers, enabling you to better understand your AD architecture and make informed decisions about the forest recovery process.
Entra ID tenant-wide comparisons
The Entra ID tenant-wide comparisons feature provides comprehensive, interactive comparison reporting for your Entra ID data. The reports identify all changed and deleted objects in your Entra ID tenant, helping you easily pinpoint and recover impacted data as quickly as possible. Comparison reports are interactive - enabling search and filtering to isolate the data that needs to be recovered - and allowing you to restore it directly from the report in a few clicks.
Entra ID: Bulk restore of objects
Commvault now offers the ability to restore Entra ID objects in bulk, enabling administrators to easily recover hundreds or thousands of deleted items in one go. This enhancement is particularly beneficial in scenarios involving massive data loss in the Entra ID tenant, enabling quick restoration based on custom search criteria or recovery of all objects in the tenant following a widespread incident.
Seamless Browse, Backup and Restores for Salesforce with Error-Handling Enhancements
The following enhancements are implemented for Salesforce backup, restore, and record-level browse operations:
Default selection of all parent records during restore jobs.
Warning messages are displayed for potential issues and common errors related to metadata mismatches, batch quotas, and duplicate records.
Storage Solutions
IntelliSnap - Safe Snap support for Hitachi
IntelliSnap enables Safe Snap support for Hitachi Thin Image Advanced snapshots, providing a secure way to take snapshots of your data. This feature offers value to the end customer by ensuring data integrity and minimizing the risk of data loss during the snapshot process.