BACKUP SOLUTION

Backup and Restore Data with
Application-Aware Writer

Comet's Application-Aware Writer booster allows you to invoke a single VSS Writer, or a
sub-component of a single VSS Writer, and back up only the files that it was protecting.

Try Comet for Free What is Comet?

Back up any Custom VSS-Aware Program

  • Oracle DB
  • MailStore Server
  • Microsoft Dynamics CRM
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Pervasive PSQL (Actian Zen)
  • And more!

Supports any installed
VSS Writer component

Restore all or
individual components

Remotely configure
backups from the web

Key Features to Protect your Data

Backup Features

Backup Features

  • Select and backup all or individual components (e.g. Oracle Databases) within the VSS Writer
  • Request any available type of backup from the VSS Writer, including VSS Full, VSS Copy, VSS Incremental, or VSS Differential
  • Backup direct to the cloud
  • High-performance, incremental backups with customizable scheduling
  • Backup to your own storage locations
  • Deduplication of data for fast, bandwidth efficient backups
Restore Features

Restore Features

  • Restore from any point in time
  • Restore to a local machine
  • Restore files back to same machine or to a different device
  • Restore individual components (e.g. individual Oracle Databases) or all components at once
  • Highly efficient restore process that downloads only the minimum number of chunks required
  • Secure, military-grade encryption during backup, transit and at rest
Management Features

Management Features

  • Live connection between the web and the agent to update selections
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Select from 9 customizable retention range policies
  • Custom email reporting
  • Backup / restore job logs
  • Customize pre and post commands
  • HIPAA compliant
  • GDPR compliant

Frequently Asked Questions about Application-Aware Writer Backup

What is VSS?

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VSS is a subsystem within Windows to help manage taking point-in-time snapshots of data and applications.

Can Comet back up open files?

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Comet can back up open files using VSS with the "File and Folder" protected item type when you enable the "Take filesystem snapshot" checkbox. The separate Application-Aware Writer booster is for other installed applications that provide a VSS Writer driver. You do not need the Application-Aware Writer booster to back up open files with Comet.

What is a VSS Writer?

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A VSS Writer is a driver that is integrated with the VSS subsystem in Windows, to allow a backup job to be fully consistent with an application’s state. When you select a VSS Writer in Comet's "Application-Aware Writer" Protected Item type, Comet asks the VSS writer to produce an application-consistent backup of all its specific application data that is then made available to Comet.

What applications can I back up via a VSS Writer?

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Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft Hyper-V, Oracle DB, and many more third-party applications all ship a VSS Writer driver with their product. By using the "Application-Aware Writer" Protected Item type in Comet, you can back up data from these applications in an application-consistent way.

How does the pricing for the Application-Aware Writer booster work?

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Files & Folders backup is Comet's base offering. After adding your protected devices, you can choose additional boosters, such as Application-Aware Writer. The cost of protecting a single device with one Application-Aware Writer backup is $2 for Files & Folder backup + $1 for the Application-Aware Writer booster = $3/device per month (in USD)
Calculate your monthly usage with our Backup Cost Calculator.