Barracuda Networks Inc., a provider of security, data protection and application delivery solutions, recently announced the new Barracuda Backup Service with VMware host support, enabling backup of guest virtual machines. The new service also provides deduplicated images of virtual servers that can be transferred offsite for comprehensive disaster recovery protection. The functionality is available free of charge for existing Barracuda Backup Service customers with an active Energize Updates subscription.

The single, integrated offsite replication solution removes the pricing complexity with no per server or per application fee. For those intrigued with the VMware host support, Barracuda looks to provide customers with quicker, more efficient way to recover their virtual servers, including comprehensive disaster recovery and business continuity functionality. Barracuda’s goal with this release is to provide partners with a solution that can protect both physical and virtual environments, without the need for patching solutions together.

Barracuda Networks now supports the following VMware product versions: VMware ESX 4.0.x and 4.1.x, VMware ESXi 4.0.x, and 4.1.x, VMware ESXi 5.0.x, and VMware vCenter Server 4.0.x, 4.1.x, and 5.0.x. It also supports Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft SQL Server, and Hyper-V.

Barracuda Backup Service version 4.2 is available now for current customers with an active Energize Updates subscription. The Barracuda Backup Service includes a one-time hardware purchase of a Barracuda Backup Server, priced from $999, with an Energize Updates subscription, priced from $199 per year. Cloud storage service can be added in 200GB increments for $50 per month ($0.25/GB).  More information about Barracuda’s Partner Program is available here.