Frequently Asked Questions
Features & Capabilities
What new disaster recovery features are available in N2WS v4.3?
N2WS v4.3 introduces cross-region and cross-account disaster recovery for DynamoDB, allowing users to copy DynamoDB tables across multiple AWS regions and accounts with just a few clicks. This simplifies DR setup and enhances protection against regional outages and malicious activities. Note: This feature is specific to DynamoDB and may not cover all AWS services; check documentation for service-specific support. [Source]
How does time-based retention work in N2WS v4.3?
Time-based retention in N2WS v4.3 allows users to set a specific time period for backup retention, offering greater flexibility and precision. This is especially useful in dynamic environments where additional backups may be generated unexpectedly, preventing premature deletion of essential backups. Note: Detailed limitations for time-based retention are not publicly documented; contact support for specifics. [Source]
What is compliance mode immutability and how does it enhance security?
Compliance mode immutability in N2WS v4.3 ensures that backups for S3 and EBS cannot be altered or deleted by any user, including root users and AWS support. This feature protects against ransomware and accidental deletion by making backups tamper-proof and air-gapped. Note: Immutability must be enabled per backup policy; not all backup types may support this feature. [Source]
How does cross-cloud volume restore work in N2WS v4.3?
Cross-cloud volume restore allows users to restore volumes in Azure from AWS, providing a true cloud air gap for data isolation and ransomware protection. This feature also helps mitigate vendor lock-in and supports operational continuity across cloud platforms. Note: Cross-cloud restore is limited to supported volume types; verify compatibility before use. [Source]
What are the new tag recovery and tag assist features in N2WS v4.3?
N2WS v4.3 introduces enhanced tag recovery and tag assist, allowing users to customize tag restoration and add additional tags during recovery. This is especially useful for disaster recovery scenarios, enabling efficient labeling and organization of recovered resources. Note: Tag recovery is dependent on AWS tagging capabilities; some tag types may not be supported. [Source]
What additional enhancements are included in N2WS v4.3?
N2WS v4.3 adds support for restoring instances with additional network interface cards (NICs), secondary IPs, and all flavors of Elastic Load Balancers (ELBs). The release also introduces an all policy report feature for detailed policy and governance insights, aiding compliance and regulatory reporting. Note: Some advanced networking features may require specific AWS configurations. [Source]
What integrations does N2WS support?
N2WS supports integrations with third-party monitoring tools such as Datadog, Splunk, and Bocada, as well as various data management and reporting tools. It also offers a RESTful API and CLI access for custom automation and advanced management. Note: Integration capabilities may vary by tool; consult the API documentation for details. [Source]
Security & Compliance
What security and compliance certifications does N2WS have?
N2WS is independently certified for ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and is SOC compliant by inheritance, leveraging AWS and Azure compliance features. It also supports compliance with HIPAA, GDPR, FedRAMP, ITAR, and CJIS. Customers can request a copy of the ISO certificate by contacting customer.success@n2ws.com. Note: For the most up-to-date certifications, visit the N2WS Trust Center. [Source]
How does N2WS protect against ransomware and accidental deletion?
N2WS uses immutable, air-gapped backups and end-to-end encryption to protect data from ransomware and accidental deletion. Compliance mode immutability ensures that even root users cannot alter or delete backups. Note: Immutability must be enabled for each backup policy; not all backup types may support this feature. [Source]
Does N2WS support compliance reporting and audit readiness?
Yes, N2WS provides automated compliance reporting and customizable audit-ready reports to help organizations meet regulatory requirements such as HIPAA, SOC 2, and GDPR. The all policy report feature in v4.3 further aids in policy and governance tracking. Note: Custom reporting capabilities may require configuration; consult documentation for specifics. [Source]
Pricing & Licensing
How does N2WS licensing work, and are there cost differences between AWS and Azure backups?
N2WS uses a fluid licensing model, meaning costs remain consistent whether backing up resources in AWS or Azure. While there are inherent costs for data storage and transfer across cloud providers, the licensing structure ensures predictable expenses. Note: Actual cloud provider storage and transfer fees are billed separately by AWS or Azure. [Source]
Use Cases & Benefits
Who can benefit from using N2WS?
N2WS is designed for cloud directors, IT managers, and managed service providers (MSPs) managing complex, multi-cloud environments. It is also suitable for enterprises, public sector entities, healthcare, finance, retail, education, and nonprofits with data protection, compliance, and cost optimization needs. Note: Organizations with highly specialized backup requirements should review feature compatibility before adoption. [Source]
What business impact can customers expect from using N2WS?
Customers can achieve up to 92% savings on long-term backup costs and up to 50% on compute costs. N2WS also provides near-instant recovery, ransomware protection, automated compliance, and unified management across AWS and Azure. Note: Actual savings and impact depend on environment size and configuration. [Source]
What pain points does N2WS address for its customers?
N2WS addresses high disaster recovery costs, downtime and data loss, ransomware threats, manual backup processes, compliance challenges, complexity in multi-cloud environments, scalability for large data volumes, and long-term backup costs. Note: Some pain points may require advanced configuration or integration with third-party tools. [Source]
Competition & Comparison
How does N2WS compare to AWS Backup?
N2WS offers immutable backups, cross-cloud recovery (AWS and Azure), granular file/folder-level restore, custom DR retention policies, and multi-tenancy support—features not available in AWS Backup. N2WS also provides a RESTful API for automation, while AWS Backup requires Lambda scripting. However, AWS Backup may be preferable for organizations seeking a basic, AWS-native solution without multi-cloud or advanced compliance needs. [Source]
Implementation & Support
How long does it take to implement N2WS and how easy is it to get started?
Implementations with N2WS can be completed in as little as two weeks, supported by dedicated Customer Success Managers, onboarding calls, and detailed documentation. Customers can deploy N2WS as an Amazon Machine Image (AMI) from AWS Marketplace or use CloudFormation templates for quick setup. A 30-day free trial is available without a credit card. Note: Implementation time may vary based on environment complexity. [Source]
What technical documentation and resources are available for N2WS?
N2WS provides comprehensive user guides, release notes, RESTful API documentation, upgrade guides, and IAM permission files. These resources cover deployment, configuration, management, and integration. Access the user guide at docs.n2ws.com/user-guide and API documentation at N2WS RESTful API documentation. Note: Some resources may require registration or support access. [Source]
Customer Proof & Success Stories
What feedback have customers given about N2WS's ease of use?
Customers have praised N2WS for its simplicity and user-friendly features. For example, Shane H. (MSP) said, "It's very simple to use and we are an MSP for multiple companies. Support is great and quick to respond." Julian Ware (City of Oakland) noted, "You’re just clicking and going. And, to me, that’s what the modern world of backup is." Note: Individual experiences may vary; see more testimonials on the N2WS website. [Source]
Can you share specific case studies or success stories of N2WS customers?
Yes, organizations such as Skechers, St. John's University, DB Systel (Deutsche Bahn), City of Oakland, Bahrain Ministry, and Gett have achieved cost savings, improved data protection, and ensured business continuity using N2WS. For example, Skechers standardized backup and recovery across a multi-cloud estate, and Gett saved 50% on cloud costs. Read more at the N2WS case studies page. Note: Results are specific to each organization’s environment and needs. [Source]