Backup Application Recommendation

[Absolutely]

Anyone have a recommendation for a reliable backup to tape application
that's simple for end users to maintain? I've been using NovaSTOR products
for some of my customers and the later versions of NovaBACKUP and NovaNET
have been horribly unreliable and finicky, especially for restores.

I know BackupExec and Arcserve are used heavily, but they tend to be a
little complicated for the average end user.

 

[Martin X.]

I just use the built-in Windows Backup for one client. It's a bit tricky to
get working, but otherwise it does the job. I've done a test restore of
files and they work fine. I have some notes on everything if you're
interested.

--
Regards,
Martin X.
MCSA: M

"Absolutely" <nospam@nospam.here> wrote in message
news:e1wpm88wHHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
Anyone have a recommendation for a reliable backup to tape application
that's simple for end users to maintain? I've been using NovaSTOR products
for some of my customers and the later versions of NovaBACKUP and NovaNET
have been horribly unreliable and finicky, especially for restores.

I know BackupExec and Arcserve are used heavily, but they tend to be a
little complicated for the average end user.

 

[Absolutely]

Would be interested for sure. I've tried it in the past and you're right,
it is slightly less than friendly. It does work, but lacks some
functionality that would be good.

"Martin X." <martin@x.x> wrote in message
news:uSURyR$wHHA.5028@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>I just use the built-in Windows Backup for one client. It's a bit tricky to
> get working, but otherwise it does the job. I've done a test restore of
> files and they work fine. I have some notes on everything if you're
> interested.
>
> --
> Regards,
> Martin X.
> MCSA: M
>
> "Absolutely" <nospam@nospam.here> wrote in message
> news:e1wpm88wHHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> Anyone have a recommendation for a reliable backup to tape application
> that's simple for end users to maintain? I've been using NovaSTOR
> products
> for some of my customers and the later versions of NovaBACKUP and NovaNET
> have been horribly unreliable and finicky, especially for restores.
>
> I know BackupExec and Arcserve are used heavily, but they tend to be a
> little complicated for the average end user.
>
>
>

 

[Martin X.]

Here are my notes for Windows Backup:

o Note: This was tested on Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard, SP 1 with a Dell
PowerVault 100T DAT72 tape drive. Since the ntbackup.exe version is the same
as on Windows Server 2003 Standard, SP 1, there should be no difference.
o Apparently there is no unified management tool for all the backup
components, so use Computer Management --> Storage --> Removable Storage to
manage the tape drive and tapes only. Use Windows Backup to manage the
backup jobs.
o The tape does not have to be formatted. Just put in any tape and set up
the backup job with the /um switch at the end. This makes the job unmanaged
so it won't care what tape is in the drive. It will just reformat the tape
that is in the drive at the time of backup.
o When you set up the backup job, there is a field for labeling the media.
Since there is only one media label for each backup job, you'll have to
create a separate backup job for each tape if you want separate labels. But
if the physical label sticker on the tape itself is labeled correctly then
that should suffice.
o If you add new files or folders to a folder that is already selected, they
will automatically be backed up in subsequent backup jobs.
o See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314844/en-us for additional info.
o Selecting "Allow only the owner and the Administrator access to the backup
data" in the Backup Job Information dialog box doesn't do anything. I made
two test file backups, one with that selection and one without. I then
copied both .bkf files to a totally different computer running Windows XP
Professional that didn't have the same administrator password. I was still
able to do a restore of both backups and access all the restored files.
o By default, ten days worth of backup logs are kept. The log files are
named backup01.log through backup10.log. The log files and the .BKS file,
which contains a list of resources to backup, are located in the profile
folder of the user who created the backup job. Under the profile folder, go
to \Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows NT\NTBackup\data\. The
backup job will need access to that folder, so make sure that the folder is
accessible to whichever account is used to run the backup job.
o In the Computer Management MMC, there is an option to mark the tape drive
as clean. It's under Storage --> Removable Storage --> Libraries -->
right-click on the tape drive and the context menu will have an option
labeled "Mark as clean." Selecting that will set the last cleaned date on
the drive's properties --> General tab to the current date and time. Try
this if the drive's cleaning light doesn't turn off after a cleaning.

--
Regards,
Martin X.
MCSA: M


"Absolutely" <abs@spam.never> wrote in message
news:uQEEUwBxHHA.4604@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
Would be interested for sure. I've tried it in the past and you're right,
it is slightly less than friendly. It does work, but lacks some
functionality that would be good.

"Martin X." <martin@x.x> wrote in message
news:uSURyR$wHHA.5028@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>I just use the built-in Windows Backup for one client. It's a bit tricky to
> get working, but otherwise it does the job. I've done a test restore of
> files and they work fine. I have some notes on everything if you're
> interested.
>
> --
> Regards,
> Martin X.
> MCSA: M
>
> "Absolutely" <nospam@nospam.here> wrote in message
> news:e1wpm88wHHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> Anyone have a recommendation for a reliable backup to tape application
> that's simple for end users to maintain? I've been using NovaSTOR
> products
> for some of my customers and the later versions of NovaBACKUP and NovaNET
> have been horribly unreliable and finicky, especially for restores.
>
> I know BackupExec and Arcserve are used heavily, but they tend to be a
> little complicated for the average end user.
>
>
>

 

[Absolutely]

I'll give it a try. Thanks much!

By the way, have you figured out a way to eject the tape after the backup?


"Martin X." <martin@x.x> wrote in message
news:%23wE0mOIxHHA.3328@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> Here are my notes for Windows Backup:
>
> o Note: This was tested on Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard, SP 1 with a
> Dell
> PowerVault 100T DAT72 tape drive. Since the ntbackup.exe version is the
> same
> as on Windows Server 2003 Standard, SP 1, there should be no difference.
> o Apparently there is no unified management tool for all the backup
> components, so use Computer Management --> Storage --> Removable Storage
> to
> manage the tape drive and tapes only. Use Windows Backup to manage the
> backup jobs.
> o The tape does not have to be formatted. Just put in any tape and set up
> the backup job with the /um switch at the end. This makes the job
> unmanaged
> so it won't care what tape is in the drive. It will just reformat the tape
> that is in the drive at the time of backup.
> o When you set up the backup job, there is a field for labeling the media.
> Since there is only one media label for each backup job, you'll have to
> create a separate backup job for each tape if you want separate labels.
> But
> if the physical label sticker on the tape itself is labeled correctly then
> that should suffice.
> o If you add new files or folders to a folder that is already selected,
> they
> will automatically be backed up in subsequent backup jobs.
> o See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314844/en-us for additional info.
> o Selecting "Allow only the owner and the Administrator access to the
> backup
> data" in the Backup Job Information dialog box doesn't do anything. I made
> two test file backups, one with that selection and one without. I then
> copied both .bkf files to a totally different computer running Windows XP
> Professional that didn't have the same administrator password. I was still
> able to do a restore of both backups and access all the restored files.
> o By default, ten days worth of backup logs are kept. The log files are
> named backup01.log through backup10.log. The log files and the .BKS file,
> which contains a list of resources to backup, are located in the profile
> folder of the user who created the backup job. Under the profile folder,
> go
> to \Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows NT\NTBackup\data\.
> The
> backup job will need access to that folder, so make sure that the folder
> is
> accessible to whichever account is used to run the backup job.
> o In the Computer Management MMC, there is an option to mark the tape
> drive
> as clean. It's under Storage --> Removable Storage --> Libraries -->
> right-click on the tape drive and the context menu will have an option
> labeled "Mark as clean." Selecting that will set the last cleaned date on
> the drive's properties --> General tab to the current date and time. Try
> this if the drive's cleaning light doesn't turn off after a cleaning.
>
> --
> Regards,
> Martin X.
> MCSA: M
>
>
> "Absolutely" <abs@spam.never> wrote in message
> news:uQEEUwBxHHA.4604@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> Would be interested for sure. I've tried it in the past and you're right,
> it is slightly less than friendly. It does work, but lacks some
> functionality that would be good.
>
> "Martin X." <martin@x.x> wrote in message
> news:uSURyR$wHHA.5028@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>I just use the built-in Windows Backup for one client. It's a bit tricky
>>to
>> get working, but otherwise it does the job. I've done a test restore of
>> files and they work fine. I have some notes on everything if you're
>> interested.
>>
>> --
>> Regards,
>> Martin X.
>> MCSA: M
>>
>> "Absolutely" <nospam@nospam.here> wrote in message
>> news:e1wpm88wHHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> Anyone have a recommendation for a reliable backup to tape application
>> that's simple for end users to maintain? I've been using NovaSTOR
>> products
>> for some of my customers and the later versions of NovaBACKUP and NovaNET
>> have been horribly unreliable and finicky, especially for restores.
>>
>> I know BackupExec and Arcserve are used heavily, but they tend to be a
>> little complicated for the average end user.
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>

 

[Martin X.]

No--I didn't have a need to do that.

--
Regards,
Martin X.
MCSA: M

"Absolutely" <nospam@nospam.here> wrote in message
news:u89xE%23IxHHA.4476@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
I'll give it a try. Thanks much!

By the way, have you figured out a way to eject the tape after the backup?


"Martin X." <martin@x.x> wrote in message
news:%23wE0mOIxHHA.3328@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> Here are my notes for Windows Backup:
>
> o Note: This was tested on Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard, SP 1 with a
> Dell
> PowerVault 100T DAT72 tape drive. Since the ntbackup.exe version is the
> same
> as on Windows Server 2003 Standard, SP 1, there should be no difference.
> o Apparently there is no unified management tool for all the backup
> components, so use Computer Management --> Storage --> Removable Storage
> to
> manage the tape drive and tapes only. Use Windows Backup to manage the
> backup jobs.
> o The tape does not have to be formatted. Just put in any tape and set up
> the backup job with the /um switch at the end. This makes the job
> unmanaged
> so it won't care what tape is in the drive. It will just reformat the tape
> that is in the drive at the time of backup.
> o When you set up the backup job, there is a field for labeling the media.
> Since there is only one media label for each backup job, you'll have to
> create a separate backup job for each tape if you want separate labels.
> But
> if the physical label sticker on the tape itself is labeled correctly then
> that should suffice.
> o If you add new files or folders to a folder that is already selected,
> they
> will automatically be backed up in subsequent backup jobs.
> o See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314844/en-us for additional info.
> o Selecting "Allow only the owner and the Administrator access to the
> backup
> data" in the Backup Job Information dialog box doesn't do anything. I made
> two test file backups, one with that selection and one without. I then
> copied both .bkf files to a totally different computer running Windows XP
> Professional that didn't have the same administrator password. I was still
> able to do a restore of both backups and access all the restored files.
> o By default, ten days worth of backup logs are kept. The log files are
> named backup01.log through backup10.log. The log files and the .BKS file,
> which contains a list of resources to backup, are located in the profile
> folder of the user who created the backup job. Under the profile folder,
> go
> to \Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows NT\NTBackup\data\.
> The
> backup job will need access to that folder, so make sure that the folder
> is
> accessible to whichever account is used to run the backup job.
> o In the Computer Management MMC, there is an option to mark the tape
> drive
> as clean. It's under Storage --> Removable Storage --> Libraries -->
> right-click on the tape drive and the context menu will have an option
> labeled "Mark as clean." Selecting that will set the last cleaned date on
> the drive's properties --> General tab to the current date and time. Try
> this if the drive's cleaning light doesn't turn off after a cleaning.
>
> --
> Regards,
> Martin X.
> MCSA: M
>
>
> "Absolutely" <abs@spam.never> wrote in message
> news:uQEEUwBxHHA.4604@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> Would be interested for sure. I've tried it in the past and you're right,
> it is slightly less than friendly. It does work, but lacks some
> functionality that would be good.
>
> "Martin X." <martin@x.x> wrote in message
> news:uSURyR$wHHA.5028@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>I just use the built-in Windows Backup for one client. It's a bit tricky
>>to
>> get working, but otherwise it does the job. I've done a test restore of
>> files and they work fine. I have some notes on everything if you're
>> interested.
>>
>> --
>> Regards,
>> Martin X.
>> MCSA: M
>>
>> "Absolutely" <nospam@nospam.here> wrote in message
>> news:e1wpm88wHHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> Anyone have a recommendation for a reliable backup to tape application
>> that's simple for end users to maintain? I've been using NovaSTOR
>> products
>> for some of my customers and the later versions of NovaBACKUP and NovaNET
>> have been horribly unreliable and finicky, especially for restores.
>>
>> I know BackupExec and Arcserve are used heavily, but they tend to be a
>> little complicated for the average end user.
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>

 

[Absolutely]

Can someone tell me why this isn't working (Error is no media is specified)

echo off
rsm.exe refresh /LF"ARCHIVE Python 06240-XXX SCSI Sequential Device"
c:\sleep 30
for /f "Tokens=1-4 Delims=/ " %%i in ('date /t') do set dt=%%i-%%j-%%k-%%l
for /f "Tokens=1" %%i in ('time /t') do set tm=-%%i
set tm=%tm::=-%
set dtt=%dt%%tm%
c:\winnt\system32\ntbackup.exe backup "@C:\Documents and
Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows
NT\NTBackup\data\Daily Backup.bks"
/n "%computername%-%dtt%" /d "Daily %dtt%" /v:yes /r:no /rs:no /hcn
/m normal /j "Daily %dtt%" /l:f /p "4mm DDS" /UM
rsm.exe eject /PF"%computername%-%dtt% - 1" /astart
exit



"Martin X." <martin@x.x> wrote in message
news:%23wE0mOIxHHA.3328@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> Here are my notes for Windows Backup:
>
> o Note: This was tested on Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard, SP 1 with a
> Dell
> PowerVault 100T DAT72 tape drive. Since the ntbackup.exe version is the
> same
> as on Windows Server 2003 Standard, SP 1, there should be no difference.
> o Apparently there is no unified management tool for all the backup
> components, so use Computer Management --> Storage --> Removable Storage
> to
> manage the tape drive and tapes only. Use Windows Backup to manage the
> backup jobs.
> o The tape does not have to be formatted. Just put in any tape and set up
> the backup job with the /um switch at the end. This makes the job
> unmanaged
> so it won't care what tape is in the drive. It will just reformat the tape
> that is in the drive at the time of backup.
> o When you set up the backup job, there is a field for labeling the media.
> Since there is only one media label for each backup job, you'll have to
> create a separate backup job for each tape if you want separate labels.
> But
> if the physical label sticker on the tape itself is labeled correctly then
> that should suffice.
> o If you add new files or folders to a folder that is already selected,
> they
> will automatically be backed up in subsequent backup jobs.
> o See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314844/en-us for additional info.
> o Selecting "Allow only the owner and the Administrator access to the
> backup
> data" in the Backup Job Information dialog box doesn't do anything. I made
> two test file backups, one with that selection and one without. I then
> copied both .bkf files to a totally different computer running Windows XP
> Professional that didn't have the same administrator password. I was still
> able to do a restore of both backups and access all the restored files.
> o By default, ten days worth of backup logs are kept. The log files are
> named backup01.log through backup10.log. The log files and the .BKS file,
> which contains a list of resources to backup, are located in the profile
> folder of the user who created the backup job. Under the profile folder,
> go
> to \Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows NT\NTBackup\data\.
> The
> backup job will need access to that folder, so make sure that the folder
> is
> accessible to whichever account is used to run the backup job.
> o In the Computer Management MMC, there is an option to mark the tape
> drive
> as clean. It's under Storage --> Removable Storage --> Libraries -->
> right-click on the tape drive and the context menu will have an option
> labeled "Mark as clean." Selecting that will set the last cleaned date on
> the drive's properties --> General tab to the current date and time. Try
> this if the drive's cleaning light doesn't turn off after a cleaning.
>
> --
> Regards,
> Martin X.
> MCSA: M
>
>
> "Absolutely" <abs@spam.never> wrote in message
> news:uQEEUwBxHHA.4604@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> Would be interested for sure. I've tried it in the past and you're right,
> it is slightly less than friendly. It does work, but lacks some
> functionality that would be good.
>
> "Martin X." <martin@x.x> wrote in message
> news:uSURyR$wHHA.5028@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>I just use the built-in Windows Backup for one client. It's a bit tricky
>>to
>> get working, but otherwise it does the job. I've done a test restore of
>> files and they work fine. I have some notes on everything if you're
>> interested.
>>
>> --
>> Regards,
>> Martin X.
>> MCSA: M
>>
>> "Absolutely" <nospam@nospam.here> wrote in message
>> news:e1wpm88wHHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> Anyone have a recommendation for a reliable backup to tape application
>> that's simple for end users to maintain? I've been using NovaSTOR
>> products
>> for some of my customers and the later versions of NovaBACKUP and NovaNET
>> have been horribly unreliable and finicky, especially for restores.
>>
>> I know BackupExec and Arcserve are used heavily, but they tend to be a
>> little complicated for the average end user.
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>

 

[Absolutely]

Interestingly enough, all I did was move the Daily Backups.bks file to the
root of C, modified the path to it in the batch file and it ran. Go figure.


"Absolutely" <nospam@nospam.here> wrote in message
news:eyI$M$uzHHA.3536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Can someone tell me why this isn't working (Error is no media is
> specified)
>
> echo off
> rsm.exe refresh /LF"ARCHIVE Python 06240-XXX SCSI Sequential Device"
> c:\sleep 30
> for /f "Tokens=1-4 Delims=/ " %%i in ('date /t') do set
> dt=%%i-%%j-%%k-%%l
> for /f "Tokens=1" %%i in ('time /t') do set tm=-%%i
> set tm=%tm::=-%
> set dtt=%dt%%tm%
> c:\winnt\system32\ntbackup.exe backup "@C:\Documents and
> Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows
> NT\NTBackup\data\Daily Backup.bks"
> /n "%computername%-%dtt%" /d "Daily %dtt%" /v:yes /r:no /rs:no /hcn
> /m normal /j "Daily %dtt%" /l:f /p "4mm DDS" /UM
> rsm.exe eject /PF"%computername%-%dtt% - 1" /astart
> exit
>
>
>
> "Martin X." <martin@x.x> wrote in message
> news:%23wE0mOIxHHA.3328@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> Here are my notes for Windows Backup:
>>
>> o Note: This was tested on Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard, SP 1 with a
>> Dell
>> PowerVault 100T DAT72 tape drive. Since the ntbackup.exe version is the
>> same
>> as on Windows Server 2003 Standard, SP 1, there should be no difference.
>> o Apparently there is no unified management tool for all the backup
>> components, so use Computer Management --> Storage --> Removable Storage
>> to
>> manage the tape drive and tapes only. Use Windows Backup to manage the
>> backup jobs.
>> o The tape does not have to be formatted. Just put in any tape and set up
>> the backup job with the /um switch at the end. This makes the job
>> unmanaged
>> so it won't care what tape is in the drive. It will just reformat the
>> tape
>> that is in the drive at the time of backup.
>> o When you set up the backup job, there is a field for labeling the
>> media.
>> Since there is only one media label for each backup job, you'll have to
>> create a separate backup job for each tape if you want separate labels.
>> But
>> if the physical label sticker on the tape itself is labeled correctly
>> then
>> that should suffice.
>> o If you add new files or folders to a folder that is already selected,
>> they
>> will automatically be backed up in subsequent backup jobs.
>> o See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314844/en-us for additional info.
>> o Selecting "Allow only the owner and the Administrator access to the
>> backup
>> data" in the Backup Job Information dialog box doesn't do anything. I
>> made
>> two test file backups, one with that selection and one without. I then
>> copied both .bkf files to a totally different computer running Windows XP
>> Professional that didn't have the same administrator password. I was
>> still
>> able to do a restore of both backups and access all the restored files.
>> o By default, ten days worth of backup logs are kept. The log files are
>> named backup01.log through backup10.log. The log files and the .BKS file,
>> which contains a list of resources to backup, are located in the profile
>> folder of the user who created the backup job. Under the profile folder,
>> go
>> to \Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows NT\NTBackup\data\.
>> The
>> backup job will need access to that folder, so make sure that the folder
>> is
>> accessible to whichever account is used to run the backup job.
>> o In the Computer Management MMC, there is an option to mark the tape
>> drive
>> as clean. It's under Storage --> Removable Storage --> Libraries -->
>> right-click on the tape drive and the context menu will have an option
>> labeled "Mark as clean." Selecting that will set the last cleaned date on
>> the drive's properties --> General tab to the current date and time. Try
>> this if the drive's cleaning light doesn't turn off after a cleaning.
>>
>> --
>> Regards,
>> Martin X.
>> MCSA: M
>>
>>
>> "Absolutely" <abs@spam.never> wrote in message
>> news:uQEEUwBxHHA.4604@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> Would be interested for sure. I've tried it in the past and you're
>> right,
>> it is slightly less than friendly. It does work, but lacks some
>> functionality that would be good.
>>
>> "Martin X." <martin@x.x> wrote in message
>> news:uSURyR$wHHA.5028@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>>I just use the built-in Windows Backup for one client. It's a bit tricky
>>>to
>>> get working, but otherwise it does the job. I've done a test restore of
>>> files and they work fine. I have some notes on everything if you're
>>> interested.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Regards,
>>> Martin X.
>>> MCSA: M
>>>
>>> "Absolutely" <nospam@nospam.here> wrote in message
>>> news:e1wpm88wHHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>>> Anyone have a recommendation for a reliable backup to tape application
>>> that's simple for end users to maintain? I've been using NovaSTOR
>>> products
>>> for some of my customers and the later versions of NovaBACKUP and
>>> NovaNET
>>> have been horribly unreliable and finicky, especially for restores.
>>>
>>> I know BackupExec and Arcserve are used heavily, but they tend to be a
>>> little complicated for the average end user.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>