EMC NetWorker (formerly Legato NetWorker) is a suite of enterprise level data protection software that unifies and automates backup to tape, disk-based, and flash-based storage media across physical and virtual environments for granular and disaster recovery. Cross-platform support is provided for Linux, Windows, macOS, NetWare, OpenVMS and Unix environments. Deduplication of backup data is provided by integration with EMC Data Domain (DD Boost) and EMC Avamar storage solutions.
A central NetWorker server manages a datazone that contains backup clients and NetWorker storage nodes that access the backup media. Platforms supported by the core NetWorker server are: AIX, HP-UX PA-RISC & Itanium, Linux (fully featured on x86, x86-64, Itanium, client only on PowerPC and zLinux), macOS (client only), Solaris SPARC & x64, SGI IRIX (client only), Tru64 and Windows.
The Java based NetWorker Management Console (NMC) software, which is bundled with the NetWorker distribution, provides a user interface for functions such as client configuration, policy settings, schedules, monitoring, reports, and daily operations for deduplicated and non-deduplicated backups.
The core NetWorker software backs up client file systems and operating system environment. Add-on database and application modules provide backup services for products such as Oracle, DB2, SAP, Lotus, Informix, and Sybase, as well as Microsoft Exchange Server, SharePoint, and SQL Server. Client backup data can be sent to a remote NetWorker storage node or stored on a locally attached device by the use of a dedicated storage node.
NetWorker PowerSnap modules automate the generation of point-in-time data snapshots and cloning on supported storage arrays such as EMC CLARiiON, and Symmetrix. The NDMP module can be used for client-less backups of NAS Filers like EMC Celerra or Netapp.
VMware virtual machines can be directly backed up either by installing the NetWorker client on the virtual machine or through the VMware vStorage APIs for Data Protection (VADP) provided by VMware.
NetWorker also supports backup and recovery of Microsoft Windows Server 2008 and Hyper-V virtual servers by using the Volume Shadow Copy Services interface. This support protects the parent and child partitions (guests) as well as applications running within the virtual machines.
NetWorker came to EMC by the acquisition of Legato in October 2003. Legato was founded in 1988 by four individuals who worked together at Sun Microsystems: Jon Kepecs, Bob Lyon, Joe Moran and Russell Sandberg.
NetWorker for UNIX was first introduced in 1990.
Release 1.0 – June 1990Release 2.0 – 1992Release 3.0 – 1993Module for Oracle - January 1994Release 4.0 - April 1994Release 4.1 - December 1994Release 4.2 - February 1996Module for SAP - April 1996Module for Informix - June 1996Release 4.3 - October 1996Release 4.4 for Windows NT - March 1997Basically 4.3 on Windows
Release 5.0 - May 1997StagingStorage nodes
Release 5.5 - November 1998Improved cloningDirected recoverconsolidation
Release 6.0 - October 2000NDMPCluster support
Release 6.1 - June 2001Drive sharingEnhancement to NDMP
Release 6.2 - March 2003Windows only release of 6.1 UNIX releaseNDMP support for Windows
Release 7.0 - March 2003Advanced DiskBackup™ Option (Adv File Type Device)SnapImage™ for WindowsLinux enhancementsSupport for Mac OS X (10.2) ClientSupport for Microsoft Windows 2003 Server & Sharepoint Portal ServersNDMP SupportMedia Indexing EnhancementsDirected Cross-platform Browse and Recover
Release 7.1 - February 2004VMware Qualification with NetWorker 7.1.xSupport for Solaris 64-bitFirewall EnhancementSupported Virtual Devices When Dynamic Drive Sharing is UsedPowerSnap Module Support on Solaris 7, 8, 9DiskXtender UNIX/Linux Data Manager Integration
Release 7.2 - January 2005NetWorker Configuration WizardsDirect File Access with Advanced File Type DevicesIncreased Device Support Limits for Power EditionData Service AgentFirewall Support EnhancementsNDMP Index Processing ImprovementsNetWorker Storage Node Support for NDMP Clients
Release 7.3 - March 2006First release of NetWorker to be branded as EMC NetWorker, previously Legato NetWorker.NetWorker Management Console (NMC) released across all supported platforms to replace nwadmin and winadminreportingSymmConnect supportI18NClient PushEnhanced VSS supportDial/e-mail homeImproved support for devices, especially on a SANImprovements in core focused on scalability and backup to diskGSS authentication
Release 7.4 - June 2007Internationalization and localization
Release 7.5 - December 2008VMware integrationIPv6LDAP for NMC
Release 7.6 - November 2009 Integration of Data Domain features and servicesEnhancements for Advanced File Type Devices (AFTDs)Increased VMware support, such as the ESX Server vSphere 4Backup to EMC Atmos-based cloud storageSolaris 10 Support (x86/SPARC)
Release 7.6 SP1 - 2010Data Domain Boost integrationScheduled cloningCheckpoint restartAFTD enhancementsCapacity-based licensing option
Release 7.6 SP2 - 2011VMware vStorage API integrationWindows disaster recoveryNDMP incrementalsData Domain Boost at the application server
Release 7.6 SP3 - November 2011Release 7.6 SP4 - June 2012Release 7.6 SP5 - December 2012Release 8.0 - June 2012Release 8.0.1 (SP1) - January 2013Release 8.0.2 (SP1) - June 21, 2013Release 8.1.3 (SP3) - May, 2015 Release 8.2 - June 18, 2014Release 8.2 (SP1) - January 28, 2015Release 8.2 (SP3) - March 28, 2016 Release 9.0 - July 1, 2016 