Via:         UK.AC.SALF.EUROPA; 29 SEP 92 11:31:42 BST
X-Mailer:    ELM [version 2.3 PL11]
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.novell
Date:         Tue, 29 Sep 1992 10:25:38 BST
Reply-To:     Novell LAN Interest Group <NOVELL@SUVM.BITNET>
From:         Richard Letts <R.J.Letts@SALFORD.AC.UK>
Subject:      Re: backup software

itan@IASTATE.EDU writes....
>
>
> In article <9209281415.AA05384@pX4.stfx.ca> you write:
> > Hi,
> >
> >   I hate to start a battle of "What's the best backup software", but could
> > someone give me some advice?  We "were" running SYTOS with no trouble until
> > we added 2000 users and it now wil not run.  We have an Exabyte 8200, 2.2GB
> > tape drive and are wondering what would be a good backup software product
> > to use.  I was considering SBACKUP but have heard that there may be some
> > + problems
> > with using a tape drive and hard drives on the same Adaptec 1740 controller?
> Is
> > this true?
> >
> > thanks
> > john
>
>         I appreciate if you can give me the information that you
> collected from the groups that reply to your question. I had just a
> failure when purchasing backpack unit which unfortunately do not restore
> the novell 3.11 properly. I lost all the trustee information as well as
> an ownership. I think at this time I will survey more details about the
> backup units as well as the software capability.
> Therefore, I am really thankful if you could share the information that
> you gather from the newsgroup.
>
I carried out a survey of backup systems a while ago; It's attached
below. If anyone want to add anything let be know, and I'll update
it.

Survery of Backup Systems.

Thanks to those sites who responded to the survey - Below is a summary of
the Theory and Practice of backup software at serveral sites.
If anyone else would like to contribute their experience I'll carry out another
summary. The star ratings are my own opinion on what I've read or
seen.

==============================================================================
PRODUCT: Cheyanne ArcServe	VERSION 4.0		STAR RATING ****

THEORY
------
Netware versions 				2.xx , 3.xx
Backup and restore:
	The Bindery
	Directory and file trustee rights,
	File attributes
	Volumes, Directories and Files

PRACTICE
--------
One respondant backed-up the server, then wiped the disk, then restored from
the backup.
I have used this product to restore a 500MB SCSI disk; It worked for me.
The Product can backup an entire fileserver without having to speicfy
individual volumes to be backed-up.

NetWare versions used 				2.xx , 3.xx
The product actually managed to backup and restore :
	The Bindery
	Directory and file trustee rights,
	File attributes
	Volumes, Directories and Files

BUGS
----
none know yet ( any offers ?? )

NOTES
-----
Support for NFS and MAC namespaces is unknown

During the backup procedure warning messages are sent to users who
have files open asking them to close the files. This can confuse non-technical
users, but is a boon to people who like to know their work has been
saved.

The respondant reccomends it to all their clients.
The editor uses it on 22 fileservers.

===========================================================================

PRODUCT: Cheyanne ArcServe	VERSION 3.0B		STAR RATING **

***** SUPERCEEDED by 4.0 of the product - see above *****

==============================================================================

PRODUCT : Tecmar Proserve VERSION 1.0			STAR RATING: ***

THEORY
------
Netware versions 				2.1x (dedicated), 3.1x
Backup and restore:
	The Bindery
	Directory and file trustee rights,
	File attributes
	Volumes, Directories and Files

PRACTICE
--------
User wiped out their filestore

NetWare versions used 				3.10a
The product actually managed to backup and restore :
	Directory and file trustee rights,
	File attributes
	Volumes,Files

BUGS
----
a  Remembering to swap tapes
b  defining the error log by the instructions
c) No directory restore feature  - you have to restore the whole volume into a
directory, then delete those directories you don't want

NOTES
-----
Support for NFS and MAC namespaces is unknown.
Restore of the bindery has not been tested.
"It is tolerable, but if I found a better product, I might buy it instead."
"Its NLM automatic backup feature is great.  I just set it up once, and
swap in a new tape as appropriate for each backup.  Very easy to use."

===============================================================================
Product:  Maynard Maynstream (DOS) for 4mm DAT   	STAR RATING ****
	  Revision:  3.1

THEORY
------
NetWare Versions:				2.x , 3.x
Backup and restore:
	The Bindery
	Directory and file trustee rights,
	File attributes
	Volumes, Directories and Files
	MAC NameSpace

PRACTICE
--------
We have restored files/directories for users.  I use it to install 3.11
servers (a template of the base install set).  Complete hard drive
failures.

NetWare versions used 				2.15C , 3.11
The product actually managed to backup and restore :
	The Bindery
	Directory and file trustee rights,
	File attributes
	Volumes, Directories and Files
	MAC Namespace

BUGS
----
When restoring the bindery, the program becomes confused about it's
connection information and has to be restarted.

When using the command line part of the program, it often leaves the
workstation in a confused state.  This may be due to the mixture of 2.15
and 3.11 servers we are backing up.

The backup software does not trap console broadcast messages and will wait
for someone to press Ctl-Enter.  This is not desirable during an unattended
backup.

Using the menu option, you can't restore two items to two different
destinations without doing them sequentially.  (You have to do one restore
source/dest pair at a time.)
This is overcome by using a script and the command line to specify more
than one pair.

Not much feedback is given when restoring files.  If you don't realize that
you have set file overwrite off, the files will not be restored and it
never tells you this.  It just doesn't do it.  Not enough feedback on what
is going on.

NOTES:
------
NFS namespace support is unknown

"I have never had any problems that tech support could not handle.
Support is free and has been timely from my own experience.

I'd have to say that sometimes they do too much to avoid operator error,
but this is not always desirable when the operator wants to know more.  I
think Maynard needs to expand their support for larger hard disks and
higher number of directories.  Cataloging is almost useless if you use full
file cataloging on a large file system with a low-end or midrange
workstation doing the work.

When I first started to look for software that supported 2.15C with Netware
for Macintosh installed, they were the only company that supported it.  (Or
at least the only one that I could find at a reasonable cost)

I feel that the cost/performance and compatability with Netware is very
good when compared to other vendors who charge thousands for hardware and
hundreds more for software.  If you are looking for bells and whistles,
Maynard is probably not for you.  I have heard horror stories with people
setting up Maynard's software, and I think that may be a shortcoming, but
if your needs are not to specific or unique, setup shouldn't be too
difficult.

We use our backups primarily for disaster recovery, so maybe we just
haven't needed it enough to see all the shortcomings.  When I have needed
to use it, I was never disappointed.

Also supported is workstation backup over the network.  I haven't used this
option, but it's there if I need it."

===============================================================================
THANKS to:
Stephen M. Dunn of United System Solutions Inc.
Doug Wilkinson of Brown University <dougw@brownvm.brown.edu>
Academic Information Services, University of Salford
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU