ExaGrid Launches 3 new Models of its 2U Tiered Backup Storage Appliances

ExaGrid Systems, Inc. announced 3 new models: EX20, EX81, and EX135 to its line of tiered backup storage appliances, as well as the release of ExaGrid software version 7.2.0.

ExaGrid Tiered Backup Storage Appliance Models
The company’s line of 2U appliances now include 8 models: EX189, EX135, EX84, EX81, EX54, EX36, EX20, and EX10 models. Each appliance has processor, memory, networking, and storage so that the backup window stays fixed-length as data grows, eliminating expensive and disruptive forklift upgrades. Up to 32 appliances can be mixed and matched in a single scale-out system. Any age or size appliance can be used in a single system, eliminating planned product obsolescence.

The largest ExaGrid system configuration, comprised of 32 of the EX189 appliances in a single scale-out system, can take in up to a 6PB full backup with 12PB raw capacity, making it the largest single system in the industry, that includes data de-dupe.

In addition to the new appliance models, the product line has also been updated with new Data Encryption at Rest (SEC) options. The firm’s larger appliance models, including the EX54 ⁽¹⁾, EX81, EX84, EX135, and EX189, offer a ‘Software Upgradeable SEC’ option to provide Data Encryption at Rest. SEC hardware models that provide Data Encryption at Rest are also available fort he company’s entire line of appliance models.

Version 7.2.0 Updates
ExaGrid software version 7.2.0 includes features that improve upon the company’s security features, and improve on advanced integration with backup applications.

Updates include:

External Key Management (EKM) for encrypted data at rest
- It uses the KMIP 1.4 protocol (some examples of 3rd-party key management applications are: Thales, Fortanix, Entrust, etc.)
Support for NetBackup Flex Media Server Appliances with the OST plug in
Support of Veeam S3 Governance Mode
Dedicated Managed Networks
- Better control of who has access to the ExaGrid management user interface
  - Management traffic on a dedicated NIC for security reasons
- Increased security by walling off the NICs (with a firewall) from external visibility and access outside of the ExaGrid appliance

With each software update, the company has been adding additional layers of security to its ‘Tiered Backup Storage’, which already utilizes a non-network-facing repository (tiered air gap) with delayed deletes and immutable data objects where backup data is stored for longer-term retention that cannot be accessed by threat actors and cannot be modified by malicious attacks.

“ExaGrid is dedicated to solving all challenges of backup storage, and continues to innovate and update our Tiered Backup Storage solution, adding features that build on the comprehensive security and ransomware recovery that our product offers. Our new appliance models offer more options to organizations looking to improve rack space efficiency and to reduce power and cooling costs, while offering the best backup and restore performance, and a solution that is well-supported and easy to manage,” said Bill Andrews, president and CEO, ExaGrid.

⁽¹⁾Software Upgradeable SEC feature to add Data Encryption at Rest is available for select 2025 version EX54 models, not available for previous versions of EX54 models

Click to enlarge