High-Speed Local Backup
The NAS appliance writes directly to a SCSI- or Fibre Channel-attached storage device, typically a tape drive. Backup data stays on the local storage path.
NAS data protection
NDMP Backup and Restore
Manage NDMP backup and restore for NetApp ONTAP, Dell PowerScale, and other supported NAS systems from the Catalogic DPX web interface.
NDMP backup and restore from the DPX web interface
DPX manages NDMP protection for NAS appliances without installing DPX software on the filer. Administrators can manage NDMP nodes and work with backup and restore jobs from the browser-based DPX interface.
- Create, edit, run, and monitor NDMP backup and restore jobs in the DPX web interface.
- Restore an entire volume or select individual files and directories from an NDMP recovery point.
- Send NDMP backups to disk, tape, or supported S3 and cloud storage targets.
- Schedule base, incremental, or differential jobs with retention settings that match the selected backup method.
- Configure email notifications, network encryption, and tape encryption options for NDMP jobs.
Choose the NDMP backup architecture
The NAS connection to backup storage determines the NDMP data path. DPX supports the three architectures documented below.
Three-Way Backup
The source NAS sends backup data over the LAN to a storage device attached to a second NDMP appliance. Both appliances are defined as NDMP nodes in DPX.
Appliance-to-Server Backup
The NAS exchanges backup data over the LAN with a DPX device server, allowing backup storage to be managed away from the filer.
Choose NDMP Dump or NetApp SMTape
The backup type controls what DPX protects and how the data can be recovered. Availability depends on the NDMP implementation and licenses on the NAS appliance.
| Backup type | Protection scope | Recovery use | Current consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| NDMP Dump | A file-system backup of a volume or selected paths supported by the filer. | Use when selective file and directory recovery is a priority. | Browsing and source selection vary by filer, NDMP version, and vendor settings. |
| NetApp SMTape | A block-level image of an entire ONTAP volume. | Use for whole-volume protection and recovery. | SMTape incremental backup is not supported in the current DPX compatibility matrix. |
For current filer versions and limitations, use the DPX compatibility matrix and the NDMP prerequisites.
Verified NDMP compatibility and controls
These capabilities are documented for the current DPX release. Filer-specific behavior still depends on the NDMP service provided by the storage vendor.
NetApp ONTAP
DPX supports NDMP backup for NetApp-supported ONTAP versions and provides NetApp-specific NDMP handling.
Other NDMP v3 and v4 NAS
Supported devices include fully compliant NDMP v3 or v4 implementations such as Dell PowerScale, PowerMax, and PowerStore.
Disk, Tape, and Cloud
NDMP jobs can use DPX device clusters and media pools, including disk, tape, and supported S3 or cloud storage.
File or Volume Recovery
The DPX web restore workflow can recover a complete NDMP volume or selected files and directories from a recovery point.
Retention and Immutability
Schedules carry retention settings, while supported S3 destinations can use Object Lock in Governance or Compliance mode.
Operational Safeguards
DPX provides job notifications, network encryption, tape encryption options, and NDMP server logging controls.
Build the rest of the NAS protection plan
Use these focused pages to choose a filer integration and decide where retained NDMP backup data should live.
NetApp Backup
Review DPX support for NetApp ONTAP and the role of NDMP in a broader NetApp protection strategy.
Tape Backup
Plan local, offline, and long-term tape retention for NDMP and other DPX workloads.
Cloud Integration
Compare supported cloud and S3-compatible storage options for DPX retention workflows.
NDMP backup questions
What does NDMP backup protect?
NDMP backup protects data on a NAS appliance through the Network Data Management Protocol. DPX coordinates the backup and restore commands, while the NAS appliance provides the NDMP service and data stream.
Can DPX restore individual files from an NDMP backup?
Yes. The DPX web restore workflow can select an entire volume or specific files and directories. Selective recovery depends on the backup type, file history, and capabilities of the NAS implementation.
Which NAS systems can DPX protect through NDMP?
The current compatibility matrix lists NDMP backup for NetApp-supported ONTAP versions and fully compliant NDMP v3 or v4 implementations from other vendors, including Dell PowerScale, PowerMax, and PowerStore. Confirm the exact filer and software version before deployment.
Can NDMP backups be stored in the cloud?
Yes. DPX supports S3 and cloud destinations for NDMP backup, including the providers listed in the current cloud compatibility matrix. Use the matrix to confirm the provider and feature combination.
What is the difference between local, three-way, and appliance-to-server backup?
Local backup writes from the NAS to directly attached storage. Three-way backup sends data to storage attached to a second NDMP appliance. Appliance-to-server backup sends data between the NAS and a DPX device server.
Need to qualify a NAS environment?
Bring your filer models, ONTAP or NAS software versions, capacity, file counts, backup window, and recovery targets to an NDMP planning session.
Catalogic can help map those requirements to a supported architecture and backup type.
NDMP guides and product updates
Continue with implementation guidance, operational context, and the release that brought NDMP management into the DPX web interface.
NDMP Backup in 2026
A practical look at when NDMP remains suitable and when the management layer becomes the larger operational problem.
Official DPX NDMP Guide
Use the current product documentation for prerequisites, job configuration, schedules, and restore procedures.
DPX 4.15 Release Overview
Review the release that added NDMP node, backup, and restore management to the DPX web interface.
Latest NDMP articles
Read practical guidance on NDMP operations, NAS backup planning, recovery, and product updates.
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Plan NDMP protection around your NAS environment
Review your filer platforms, backup targets, recovery requirements, and retention policies with a Catalogic data protection specialist.
Request an NDMP Demo