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Topic: Good Server Back-up Software

GFKiller
The Man
Member # 2

Member Rated:

posted 09-06-2006 11:10 AM

Alright guys. I've had my experiences with Symantec Backup Exec (formally Veritas) and its too complicated and bloted for my business' needs. We're using Acronis True Image Enterprise Server, which isn't bad. However, the support and update process is pretty shitty (you need to uninstall/reinstall to update it, their site doesn't provide patches to pirated users, blah blah

Any recommendations from anyone? Looking for something not too compliated. Possibly full drive-image support (backing up the C drive on a DC incase the Domain crashes). Backing up a live Exchange Store. Backing up a live SQL Database. (All this support in Symantec's package is rapidly approaching $2000) Any help is always appreciated, thanks guys.

Posts: 1762 | From: Staten Island, NY | Registered: Jun 1999 | IP: Logged

Drako
Sarge
Member # 39

Member Rated:

posted 09-07-2006 03:04 PM

Ghost?

Wish I could offer something better. We have a backup solution here that fufills all of your requirement. It's called Veritas. Since that won't work...

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Posts: 931 | From: Northern California | Registered: Jun 1999 | IP: Logged

god
Sarge
Member # 52

Member Rated:

posted 09-07-2006 08:28 PM

I've used novabackup at two different organizations. It was a very simple interface but also had alot of interesting features. Give the trial a try and see what you think

Posts: 260 | From: London, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jun 1999 | IP: Logged

GFKiller
The Man
Member # 2

Member Rated:

posted 09-08-2006 10:01 AM

Thanks god, I will give it a try.

Oh, and good seeing you.

Posts: 1762 | From: Staten Island, NY | Registered: Jun 1999 | IP: Logged

Serengeti
Sarge
Member # 51

Rate Member

posted 09-30-2006 12:23 AM

As a DBA, I'm going to suggest not attempting to backup the SQL Server database files directly. When it comes time to restore, you're likely to find the database is not in a consistent state and cannot be opened.

What you'll want to do is to fire up the SQL Server enterprise manager and create a maintenance plan that includes a complete backup of the database to the filesystem on a daily basis. I'd also create a seperate maintenance plan for log backups once hourly at a minimum. If the DB isn't super busy (ie, you can spare the disk i/o), I'd run the tlog backup every 15 mins. See here for more info on SQL Server maintenance plan backups.

Of course, if by SQL you meant MySQL, then you can execute a mysqldump command for a full backup, and then run hourly (or 15-minute-ly) mysqlbinlog log dumps, assuming you're running the db in binary logging mode. Good info on MySQL backups here.

At any rate, the point is, don't just backup the database files and expect to be able to recover successfully. DBs are very sensitive to consistency, and will not open if they're not consistent when they're brought online.

Posts: 1045 | From: your grocer's freezer | Registered: Jun 1999 | IP: Logged

Serengeti
Sarge
Member # 51

Rate Member

posted 09-30-2006 12:25 AM

Oh, and the note about consistency, as I understand, applies to Exchange as well. I don't have any experience backing up Exchange, but I wouldn't count on just backing up the raw files.

Posts: 1045 | From: your grocer's freezer | Registered: Jun 1999 | IP: Logged

Cacophonous
Sarge
Member # 19

Member Rated:

posted 09-30-2006 10:12 AM

I use Veritas Backup Exec 9 at work and yes with all the added agents it is pricey.

I use the method Serengeti suggests for SQL databases since I don't have the agent to do that live.

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Posts: 5571 | From: Yes | Registered: Jun 1999 | IP: Logged

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