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How NordLayer addresses partners’ needs: insights from our survey results

Summary: Why do our partners rate us highly? Easy setup, top-notch support, fast growth, and steady revenue—plus more.

Strict compliance requirements, the need for robust network security, and keeping up with fast-paced technological changes. These are the challenges that MSPs and partners face today. Meeting these needs is challenging, especially with clients expecting seamless and secure solutions. 

To better understand these challenges, we surveyed our partners about their experience working with us. We’re grateful and proud to share that we received a 9/10 rating. Our partners value us primarily for easy setup, top-notch support, faster growth, and more revenue. Here’s a summary of what matters most to our partners and how NordLayer’s solutions meet their needs.

 

Understanding the needs of MSPs

Let’s now explore the key needs of MSPs and how NordLayer’s solutions address these critical concerns.

Compliance requirements: meeting HIPAA, NIS2, SOC2, and more

Compliance is a critical concern for MSPs. For many industries, meeting standards like HIPAA, SOC 2, CIS, and NIS2 is non-negotiable.

Organizations often struggle to keep up with complex compliance rules, especially when working across different regions. Laws keep changing, and what’s acceptable in one country might not meet standards in another. Managing these differences can quickly get overwhelming.

Another major issue is that some rules clash or overlap, making it tricky to follow multiple frameworks at once. Many companies also don’t have enough budget or staff to handle these demands. Maintaining compliance at all times—not just during audits—takes serious effort.

NordLayer helps solve these challenges. With our solutions, which follow a Zero Trust approach, such as access control, activity monitoring, and network segmentation, businesses can meet compliance across multiple frameworks, such as HIPAA, PCI-DSS, ISO 27001, SOC2, or NIS2. They can also keep their systems secure and compliant every day—not just during audits.

 

Ensuring network security

Network security involves various approaches to protect critical resources and sensitive data. Here is how NordLayer can help MSPs secure their clients’ networks:

  • Firewalls: Firewalls allow the creation of lists of rules for segmented network access control.
  • Network access control (NAC): NAC solutions focus on controlling network access to prevent unauthorized entry.
  • Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): ZTNA ensures that authentication restrictions are multi-layered. Identities are double or even triple-checked.
  • Web gateways: Secure Web Gateways (SWG) provide a safe browsing experience and secure internet access. They achieve this through methods such as traffic encryption and content filtering.
  • Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): Our VPN encrypts all network traffic to secure data transfers in the network.
 

What keeps MSPs awake at night

MSPs have clear expectations from their vendors. To thrive in their business, they seek user-friendly solutions, reliable performance, and robust support. NordLayer stands out by not only meeting these demands but also empowering partners with the tools they need to succeed.

Data breaches and data loss

For many MSPs, especially smaller ones, data breaches and data loss are their biggest fears. With cyberattacks becoming more frequent, protecting client data is crucial.

NordLayer’s security solutions are designed to tackle these risks head-on. For example, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) safeguards sensitive data and prevents unauthorized access. This allows MSPs to secure their clients’ information and reduce the risk of costly data breaches.

Customer retention for small MSPs

Smaller MSPs often face the challenge of retaining clients while competing with larger, more established providers. NordLayer helps ease this pressure by offering easy-to-use, flexible solutions that don’t compromise security. MSPs can provide their clients with a smooth, reliable experience even after transitioning to managed services.

 

Balancing price and quality

Smaller MSPs tend to prioritize price, while larger MSPs or partners are more focused on the quality of service. NordLayer caters to both by offering scalable solutions that deliver top-notch security and performance at a price that works for all sizes of businesses. MSPs can choose the best fit for their clients without compromising quality for cost.

What partners expect from vendors—and how NordLayer meets these expectations

Ease of use

MSPs have a lot to manage, so they need platforms that are simple and user-friendly. NordLayer is designed with this in mind, offering intuitive solutions that make deployment, management, and troubleshooting easy. Our partners consistently report high satisfaction with the platform’s simplicity, from initial setup to daily use.

 

Reliability of the vendor

Partners require reliable solutions that guarantee uptime and speed. With NordLayer’s high-speed NordLynx protocol, MSPs and partners can provide their clients with a fast and secure VPN experience, ensuring high availability and performance at all times. Trust and reliability are key, and NordLayer consistently delivers on both fronts.

Partner enablement programs

NordLayer doesn’t just provide software. It supports MSPs and partners in growing their business. Our partner enablement programs include sales and technical assistance, as well as educational resources that give our partners the tools they need to succeed in both tech and business.

 

Conclusion

NordLayer addresses the key needs of MSPs and partners by offering simple, scalable solutions that prioritize security, compliance, and reliability. Whether protecting against data breaches, retaining clients, or balancing price and quality, NordLayer is a trusted partner that helps MSPs succeed in a competitive market.

Ready to enhance your service offerings? Partner with NordLayer for tailored solutions that solve your challenges today and grow your business.

Joanna Krysińska

Senior Copywriter

A writer, tech enthusiast, dog walker, and amateur pastry chef, Joanna grew up in a family of engineers and mathematicians, so a techy mind is in her genes. She loves making complex tech topics less complex and digestible. She also has a keen interest in the mechanics of cybercrime.

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Contents:

Understanding the needs of MSPs

What keeps MSPs awake at night

What partners expect from vendors—and how NordLayer meets these expectations

Conclusion

About Version 2 Digital

Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

About NordLayer
NordLayer is an adaptive network access security solution for modern businesses – from the world’s most trusted cybersecurity brand, Nord Security.

The web has become a chaotic space where safety and trust have been compromised by cybercrime and data protection issues. Therefore, our team has a global mission to shape a more trusted and peaceful online future for people everywhere.

About NordLayer
NordLayer is an adaptive network access security solution for modern businesses – from the world’s most trusted cybersecurity brand, Nord Security.

The web has become a chaotic space where safety and trust have been compromised by cybercrime and data protection issues. Therefore, our team has a global mission to shape a more trusted and peaceful online future for people everywhere.

Scale Computing Announces Third Annual Scale Computing Platform Summit May 13-15, 2025

INDIANAPOLIS – October 15, 2024 – Scale Computing, the market leader in edge computing, virtualization, and hyperconverged solutions, today announced that registration is open for Platform//2025, Scale Computing’s flagship event for IT professionals and partners, which aims to capture the spirit of inclusion with its tagline — “Let’s innovate and transform together.” The event will be held May 13-15, 2025, at Resorts World in Las Vegas, NV, USA. The three-day event will feature live educational and best practices sessions, dedicated networking opportunities, the Platform//2025 Awards Dinner, and more. Attendees will also be able to engage in 1-to-1 training with the Scale Computing Product and Engineering teams throughout the event. Platform//2025 will include discussion topics spanning IT automation, security, edge computing, data protection, hybrid cloud, and more. “We’re excited to welcome our IT professionals, partners, and industry colleagues back to Las Vegas in May. Platform//2024 was an exciting event, with over 700 attendees from around the world,” said Jeff Ready, CEO and co-founder, Scale Computing. “This year has already been a banner year for Scale Computing. We continue to see the high demand for innovative and scalable edge computing, virtualization, and hyperconverged solutions as more global IT leaders require the ability to deploy applications wherever needed. We look forward to seeing everyone at Platform//2025 and providing company updates, product innovation news, and networking opportunities.” Scale Computing will offer two on-site certification courses before the event: SC//Platform Beginner Certification and SC//Platform Expert Certification. The Beginner Certification is tailored for new users, providing an introduction to hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) and edge computing, along with best practices and practical use cases for SC//Platform. The Expert Certification is designed for advanced users who want a deeper technical understanding of SC//Platform, the ins and outs of SC//HyperCore, and the technical aspects of containers, APIs, and the AI capabilities the technology offers. Both courses include hands-on learning, enabling participants to follow along with the instructor and apply newly learned skills within the platform. Scale Computing is also currently accepting speaker submissions for the event. Interested subject matter experts can submit proposals on virtualization and hybrid cloud computing, edge computing, IoT, cybersecurity and data privacy, storage, networking and 5G, sustainable and green computing, and partners building a business with Scale Computing until October 31, 2024. Visit the Platform//2025 registration page for more information or to register. Guests can register by February 14, 2025, for $200 off the regular registration price.

About Version 2 Digital

Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

About Scale Computing 
Scale Computing is a leader in edge computing, virtualization, and hyperconverged solutions. Scale Computing HC3 software eliminates the need for traditional virtualization software, disaster recovery software, servers, and shared storage, replacing these with a fully integrated, highly available system for running applications. Using patented HyperCore™ technology, the HC3 self-healing platform automatically identifies, mitigates, and corrects infrastructure problems in real-time, enabling applications to achieve maximum uptime. When ease-of-use, high availability, and TCO matter, Scale Computing HC3 is the ideal infrastructure platform. Read what our customers have to say on Gartner Peer Insights, Spiceworks, TechValidate and TrustRadius.

ESET Integrates with SuperOps to Elevate Cybersecurity for MSPs

Setting a New Benchmark in Endpoint Management: Enhancing Operational Efficiency and Elevating Client Security

BRATISLAVA — October 16, 2024 — ESET, a global leader in cybersecurity, and SuperOps, a next-generation Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) and Professional Services Automation (PSA) platform, today announced their powerful integration.

This collaboration enables Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to seamlessly manage and secure their endpoints directly within the SuperOps platform, bringing unmatched efficiency and protection to their operations with the added power of ESET Endpoint Security, a core solution of the awarded and recognized ESET PROTECT Platform.

“Our goal at SuperOps is to make the work of MSPs more efficient and intuitive. Integrating ESET with SuperOps provides MSPs with a streamlined, all-in-one solution for endpoint security management. This partnership will empower MSPs to offer enhanced protection to their clients while, at the same time, simplifying their workflows,” said Arvind Parthiban, Co-founder and CEO, SuperOps.

ESET’s security products are highly regarded by analysts and customers for delivering a comprehensive high-quality multi-layered security stack configured to both prevent threats from taking hold on a network and to efficiently manage detection and response actions by leveraging both its AI-native detection technologies and its globally recognized research and threat intelligence.

The integration with SuperOps enables rapid deployment of our endpoint security solution on all assets within minutes, ensuring immediate protection and optimization. MSPs can automate ESET’s next-gen security solution during asset onboarding to safeguard against zero-day, ransomware, phishing, and targeted attacks, and monitor protection status in real-time within SuperOps. This is all thanks to the multi-layered AI-native ESET LiveSense security stack incorporated within our endpoint product, turbocharging protection in an always-evolving threat landscape.

“ESET is well known as a reliable partner for thousands of MSPs, as we are quite serious about our partnerships. With this integration, MSPs can manage cybersecurity with greater ease and confidence. To achieve that, ESET’s robust security measures combined with SuperOps’ comprehensive management tools create a powerful synergy that enhances operational efficiency and client protection,” said Michal Jankech, Vice President, Enterprise & SMB/MSP at ESET.

As damage from global cybercrime is projected to increase by 15% annually, reaching $10.5 trillion by 2025 (Source: Forbes), businesses, especially MSPs, need to make cybersecurity their top priority. The integration of ESET with SuperOps significantly enhances cybersecurity operations and boosts the security offerings of MSPs. By combining their strengths, ESET and SuperOps are redefining industry standards, empowering MSPs to provide their clients with unparalleled security.

To learn more about how to integrate SuperOps with ESET, please visit the guidance page.

For more information about the ESET PROTECT Platform and its underlying modules, visit our page here.

About Version 2 Digital

Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

About ESET
For 30 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services for businesses and consumers worldwide. With solutions ranging from endpoint security to encryption and two-factor authentication, ESET’s high-performing, easy-to-use products give individuals and businesses the peace of mind to enjoy the full potential of their technology. ESET unobtrusively protects and monitors 24/7, updating defenses in real time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company. Backed by R&D facilities worldwide, ESET became the first IT security company to earn 100 Virus Bulletin VB100 awards, identifying every single “in-the-wild” malware without interruption since 2003.

Understanding Endpoint Performance Monitoring Best Practices

As businesses grow and remote work becomes the norm, it’s clear that having a variety of devices is essential to keep things running smoothly. The tricky part is ensuring these devices are secure and performing at their best.

According to a recent study[1], more than 68% of businesses have faced successful attacks on their devices that compromised their data. This statistic highlights a real challenge. While we need multiple devices to stay efficient, we can’t afford to skimp on security. It’s a balancing act that many organizations are struggling with today.

best practices for endpoint performance monitoring
Best Practices for Endpoint Performance Monitoring

The right solution is endpoint performance monitoring, which can track and monitor all your business devices and keep them up and running at all times. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of endpoint monitoring and endpoint performance monitoring best practices.

What is Endpoint Performance Monitoring?

Endpoint performance monitoring delivers end-to-end visibility into your device inventory or endpoints. IT teams can access a complete overview of business devices running on operating systems such as Android, Windows, iOS, macOS, and Linux. With continuous tracking, analyzing, and managing of endpoints, IT administrators can:

  • Identify potential device security vulnerabilities
  • Maintain compliance with regulations
  • Ensure the overall security of the business device network

Endpoint devices are vulnerable to various security threats, including malware, phishing attacks, and advanced persistent threats. Traditional monitoring systems don’t detect many of these endpoint threats. However, specialized endpoint management software can monitor your endpoints to detect signs of potential vulnerabilities, malicious activity, and unusual changes in system configurations.

Different types of endpoint devices could leave your organization vulnerable:

  • Smartphones
  • PCs
  • Macs
  • Tablets
  • Digital signage
  • mPOS devices
  • Wearables such as smart watches, AR/VR sets, etc
  • Rugged devices like handheld scanners and rugged smartphones
  • IoT devices
  • Printers and peripherals
  • Embedded devices such as medical devices and ATMs

Challenges of Endpoint Performance Monitoring

Monitoring the performance of endpoints, such as mobile devices, is necessary for maintaining optimal functionality and user satisfaction. However, there are several challenges that organizations face when implementing endpoint performance monitoring tools and solutions. Here are five key challenges:

  1. Device Diversity: Modern enterprises use a wide variety of mobile devices, including smartphones, tablets, and rugged devices, running on different operating systems such as iOS, Android, and Windows. This diversity complicates the standardization of performance monitoring protocols. Each OS and device type may require specific endpoint performance monitoring tools and techniques, adding complexity to the management process.
  2. Network Variability: All such endpoints operate across various network environments, including corporate Wi-Fi, public hotspots, and mobile data networks. Network variability can significantly impact device performance and user experience. Endpoint performance monitoring solutions must account for fluctuating network conditions and provide insights into how these variations affect device performance. There should also be a fall-back/security mechanism to manage endpoints when they are offline.
  3. Battery Life Management: One critical aspect of mobile device performance is battery life. Unlike desktop computers, mobile devices rely heavily on battery power, and monitoring battery health and usage patterns is crucial. However, continuously monitoring device performance can be resource-intensive, potentially leading to increased battery drain. 
  4. Real-time Data Analysis: Effective performance monitoring requires real-time data analysis to quickly identify and resolve issues. However, collecting and processing telemetry data from numerous devices can strain network and processing resources. Ensuring that endpoint performance monitoring tools can handle this data influx while providing timely and actionable insights is a complex task.
  5. Scalability: As organizations grow, the number of devices under management can increase exponentially. Scaling the performance monitoring capabilities to accommodate this growth without compromising the quality of insights is a significant challenge. The endpoint performance monitoring solution must be strong enough to handle a large fleet of devices and adaptable enough to integrate new devices and technologies seamlessly.

Traditional Performance Monitoring Systems vs. Endpoint Monitoring Security

Traditional performance monitoring systems focus on assessing the operational efficiency and health of IT infrastructure, while endpoint monitoring security emphasizes protecting devices and data from security threats. Understanding the differences between these two approaches helps organizations effectively manage and secure their IT environments.

AspectTraditional Performance Monitoring SystemsEndpoint Performance Monitoring 
Primary FocusOperational efficiency and system healthDevice and data security

Key Metrics
Network performance		CPU usage, memory usage, threat detection, vulnerability assessment
Data CollectionSystem logs, performance countersSecurity events, behavioral analytics
Response ActionResource optimization, performance tuningIncident response, threat mitigation
IntegrationIT infrastructure management systemsSecurity information and regulatory compliance
Traditional Performance Monitoring Systems vs. Endpoint Monitoring Security

Benefits of Endpoint Performance Monitoring

  1. Efficient Cost Savings: The repercussions of cyberattacks are severe and costly. According to a recent study[2], a data breach costs $4.45 million. In 2022, compromised business emails accounted for $2.7 billion in losses. Endpoint performance monitoring helps businesses defend against sophisticated security threats and reduce costs.
  2. Support Remote Work: Remote work has become a top choice for many people, leading businesses to support both remote and hybrid workforces. With remote workers relying heavily on their endpoint devices for daily tasks, IT teams turn to endpoint performance monitoring to ensure a secure and efficient work environment. This approach is also crucial for frontline and field workers who often work from multiple locations, not just a single office.
  3. Strengthen Security: With endpoint performance monitoring tools, businesses can track and monitor endpoint performance and take a proactive approach to endpoint security. This is done by analyzing real-time device analytics and receiving alerts or notifications when an unusual situation occurs.
  4. Gain Actionable Insights: IT teams can gain actionable insights into the overall health and performance of their devices with endpoint performance monitoring solutions, with their telemetry information providing capabilities. To unlock precise information on the endpoint devices, it’s best to choose an endpoint performance monitoring tool that offers real-time data from a single pane of glass.
  5. Enhanced Employee Satisfaction: It’s very difficult to execute your day-to-day tasks from a device that is lagging or not performing as required. For instance, if a device’s battery is draining continuously, then it’s important to make some needed adjustments to the device. Endpoint performance monitoring tools provide these insights to the IT teams so they can detect and respond to any performance issues. This rapid response improves employee productivity and satisfaction.
  6. Improved customer satisfaction: By ensuring that endpoint devices operate efficiently and securely, businesses can provide a seamless experience for their customers, leading to higher satisfaction and loyalty.

Finding the Right Way: Best Practices for Endpoint Performance Monitoring

Endpoint performance monitoring comes with numerous benefits to strengthen IT teams to effectively track and monitor device performance. Here are some of the best practices businesses can use to execute efficient endpoint monitoring:

  1. Get Automated Alerts with Real-Time Device Analytics: The easiest way to get the most precise information from endpoint devices is to receive real-time data. Live information reflects what is happening on the endpoints, like battery usage, CPU usage, data usage, geofence breaches, and security incidents. These insights come in handy for monitoring and analysis purposes.
  2. Monitor All Sorts of Endpoint Devices: Almost all organizations use devices that run on the Windows or Android operating systems, but businesses still need to monitor their endpoints to maintain excellent device performance. If a small number of devices run on iOS or macOS, they are connected to your device networks and can get compromised if not monitored properly. Monitor and manage all types of devices to ensure the health and safety of business devices.
  3. Track and Monitor Every Device on the Business Network: With remote or hybrid workforces and BYOD policies, it can be difficult to manage each device on your business network. However, businesses need to manage every device. All it takes is one unsecured device to invite all sorts of security threats and malicious attacks.
  4. Unlock the Bigger Picture with a Single Dashboard: With a single unified dashboard, IT teams can see all the critical information from the endpoints. This means no more switching between multiple screens or interfaces and attempting to gather and organize data to analyze. This way, business leaders can access the big picture for improved decision-making and business scalability.
  5. Unified Endpoint Management: Information gathering from various tools can become stressful at times. Save time and boost efficiency with a unified endpoint management solution that offers all the endpoint monitoring and management tools you need in a single solution.

How Scalefusion UEM Enhances Endpoint Performance Monitoring for Businesses

Scalefusion UEM offers businesses far-reaching tools to manage and monitor their diverse fleet of devices effectively. With a clear overview of the total devices enrolled across multiple platforms such as Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux, businesses can ensure that all endpoints are accounted for and properly managed. The platform’s inventory snapshot provides crucial insights into the status of active, inactive, locked, and managed devices, allowing IT administrators to quickly identify and address performance issues. This real-time visibility is essential for maintaining operational efficiency and ensuring that all devices are performing optimally.

Additionally, Scalefusion UEM’s violation overview, including geofence breaches, security incidents, SIM swaps, and low battery notifications, enhances device security and performance management. By identifying and addressing these issues promptly, businesses can mitigate risks and prevent potential disruptions. Scalefusion also ensures that devices remain secure with features like password policy and file encryption, further contributing to overall performance. These capabilities highlight how Scalefusion UEM helps businesses monitor endpoint performance and enhances security and operational efficiency, ensuring a seamless and productive digital environment.

The Future of Endpoint Management with Scalefusion

As businesses continue to navigate the complexities of managing a diverse array of devices, Scalefusion UEM stands out as a powerful solution that adapts to evolving needs. By providing extensive visibility, security, and performance monitoring, Scalefusion empowers organizations to maintain optimal device functionality and streamline operations. With its intuitive interface and powerful features, Scalefusion is poised to support businesses in their journey towards efficient and secure endpoint management, paving the way for a more connected and productive future.

Get in touch with our experts for a demo. Sign up for a 14-day free trial.

References

  1. Ponemon Institute
  2. Forbes  

About Version 2 Digital

Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

About Scalefusion
Scalefusion’s company DNA is built on the foundation of providing world-class customer service and making endpoint management simple and effortless for businesses globally. We prioritize the needs and feedback of our customers, making sure that they are at the forefront of all decision-making processes. We are dedicated to providing comprehensive customer support services, and place emphasis on customer-centric thinking throughout the organization.

oVirt Backup and Recovery

Data security and recovery are critical when dealing with virtualization tools. In the event of an outage or disaster, businesses must be able to rapidly restore virtual machines (VMs) and critical data. Being a virtualization management tool, oVirt not only shines in virtual environment administration but also provides virtual machine full backup and recovery capability.

This article will explore what oVirt is and how its backup and recovery system works.

What is oVirt?

Red Hat created oVirt, a robust open-source virtualization tool that uses the Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) hypervisor.

With a web-based interface, this platform provides a centralized administration solution allowing consumers to manage compute, storage, and networking resources. oVirt facilitates companies’ design, management, and implementation of virtual machines.

oVirt is suitable for small and large companies since it is flexible and scalable. One important characteristic of oVirt is its ability to work with other open-source community projects such as Ansible for automation, Gluster for storage management, and PatternFly for user interface design. This integration helps customers to use existing tools in the opensource community and at the same time take advantage of oVirt’s advanced capabilities.

Components of oVirt

The oVirt Engine, hosts (nodes), and storage nodes make up the fundamental architecture of oVirt. These components form a comprehensive solution for managing virtualized environments.

  • oVirt Engine

oVirt engine is a Wildfly-based Java application that functions as a web service. The engine talks to VDSM (Virtual Desktop and Server Manager) to deploy, start, migrate, and monitor VMs.

  • Nodes

oVirt Nodes is a streamlined operating system built on CentOS. It operates on RHEL, CentOS, and Scientific Linux, utilizing the KVM hypervisor and the VDSM service, coded in Python. These nodes are Linux-based distributions with VDSM and libvirt installed. They also feature additional packages that simplify the virtualization of networking and system services.

  • Storage Nodes

Storage nodes use either block or file storage which can be locally or remotely accessed through NFS (Network File System). These nodes are arranged into storage pools, offering options for high availability and redundancy.

The Latest oVirt Release Features

oVirt announced the release of a new update which became available on December 1, 2023. The new release named oVirt 4.5.5 is available on x86_64 architecture for:

  • oVirt Node NG (based on CentOS Stream 8)
  • oVirt Node NG (based on CentOS Stream 9)
  • CentOS Stream 8
  • CentOS Stream 9
  • RHEL 8 and derivatives
  • RHEL 9 and derivatives
  • Experimental builds are available for ppc64le and aarch64.

The new oVirt version has several updates that improve the functionality and user experience of this open-source virtualization solution.

The contributions made to the new release were made by 46 developers within the community. This emphasizes the collaborative efforts made towards enhancing oVirt’s capabilities and addressing user feedback.

Key Features of oVirt 4.5.5

– Component Updates: The release features updates to several core components including:

  • OTOPI: Now at version 1.10.4
  • oVirt Ansible Collection: Updated to 3.2.0-1
  • oVirt Engine Data Warehouse: Upgraded to 4.5.8
  • oVirt Engine API Model: Version 4.6.0 is now available.

– High Availability Improvements: The Hosted Engine HA was updated to version 2.5.1, enhancing the resilience of hosted environments.

– API Enhancements: The release improves on the oVirt Engine API Metamodel (version 1.3.10) and the SDK (Python version 4.6.2), providing better tools for developers.

– Performance Monitoring Enhancements: Metrics collection has been upgraded to version 1.6.2, facilitating more effective virtual machine performance monitoring.

– Log Management Updates: The Log Collector is now at version 4.5.0, improving log data management across virtualized environments.

– Networking Enhancements with Open vSwitch: Updated integration with Open vSwitch versions 2.15-4 (el8) and 2.17-1 (el9) enhances networking capabilities within oVirt.

– Bug Fixes and Security Patches: This release addresses various bugs and security vulnerabilities, including:

  • Fixes for issues related to VM import processes and disk configuration error handling.
  • Security updates addressing vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-0822 involved disabling specific execution capabilities in GWT code.

oVirt as a Basis for Red Hat Virtualization and Oracle Linux Virtualization Manager

oVirt serves as the upstream open-source project for both Red Hat Virtualization (RHV) and Oracle Linux Virtualization Manager (OLVM). Its key role in these virtualization tools highlights its significance in the broader ecosystem of virtualization solutions. Both RHV and OLVM gets to benefit from the continuous development of oVirt. With the new release, both platforms can seamlessly  integrate these new features rapidly while maintaining stability and performance standards expected by enterprise users.

Red Hat Virtualization (RHV)

Red Hat Virtualisation (RHV) Red Hat Virtualisation, which is based on oVirt, delivers an enterprise-grade virtualization solution with additional Red Hat support services. It uses oVirt’s robust management capabilities and also provides features like enhanced security protocols, advanced monitoring tools, and dedicated support options tailored to enterprise customers. Thus, RHV is a suitable option for organizations seeking a reliable virtualization platform backed by professional support.

Oracle Linux Virtualization Manager (OLVM)

Similarly, OLVM is also based on oVirt technology but is tailored specifically for Oracle environments. It integrates seamlessly with Oracle’s suite of products, offering specialized features that cater to Oracle database workloads and applications. This allows OLVM to provide users with a familiar interface while simultaneously ensuring compatibility with Oracle’s ecosystem.

oVirt Backup and Recovery

Backup and recovery are critical components of any virtualization strategy. In an enterprise setting where data integrity and availability are crucial, robust backup solutions ensure organizations can recover quickly from data disasters and loss incidents. Let’s break down the different methods available in a way that’s easy to understand.

Understanding Backup Modes

When using Storware Backup and Recovery with oVirt 4 or later, you can choose from four different backup modes:

  1. Disk Attachment:

    • Think of this as creating a digital copy of your VM. The VM’s metadata and disk files are stored separately.
    • Pros: Simple to understand.
    • Cons: Requires a proxy VM in each cluster, and incremental backups aren’t supported.

  2. Disk Image Transfer:

    • This method creates a snapshot of your VM’s disks, including any changes made.
    • Pros: Supports incremental backups, and no proxy VM is needed.
    • Cons: Requires oVirt 4.2 or later.

  3. SSH Transfer:

    • Data is transferred directly from the hypervisor using SSH.
    • Pros: Can be efficient, especially for smaller environments.
    • Cons: May require additional network configuration.

  4. Change Block Tracking:

    • Only the parts of your disks that have changed are backed up, saving time and storage space.
    • Pros: Highly efficient for incremental backups.
    • Cons: Requires oVirt 4.4 or later with specific versions of Libvirt, qemu-kvm, and vdsm.

Learn more about available backup strategies for oVirt VMs

A Note on Best Practices

For the best possible backup experience, Red Hat recommends updating your oVirt environment to the latest version. This will ensure you have access to the most recent features and security updates.

Need more help?

If you have any questions or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.

Conclusion

oVirt offers a versatile platform for virtualization management, and its backup and recovery capabilities play a crucial role in maintaining system integrity and availability. With features like full and incremental backups, application-consistent snapshots, Changed Block Tracking (CBT), and agentless backup, oVirt is a robust and scalable backup solution for organizations and businesses seeking reliable disaster recovery solutions.

About Version 2 Digital

Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

About Storware
Storware is a backup software producer with over 10 years of experience in the backup world. Storware Backup and Recovery is an enterprise-grade, agent-less solution that caters to various data environments. It supports virtual machines, containers, storage providers, Microsoft 365, and applications running on-premises or in the cloud. Thanks to its small footprint, seamless integration into your existing IT infrastructure, storage, or enterprise backup providers is effortless.

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