Windows server backup software

[KC5AV]

I'm not sure it would be the best solution, but the first one that comes to mind is Backup Exec. I think 12 or 12.5 is the current version. We use it to back up 3 different servers right now. I think the speed will be a function of your media, though. I believe you can download and evaluation copy from Symantec if you want to give it a look.

[KC5AV]

There was another program that was acquired by Symantec. They branded it as Live-State Recovery. I think they started integrating it with Backup Exec in a recent release, but it should still be available as a standalone product. It would take a sort of snap-shot of the drive, and store it remotely. I've had it installed, but never had cause to use it. They claim that you can take a server from bare metal drives to fully restored in under an hour.

[Kalrog]

I have used backup exec and it sure does work.

With that said, are you sure the software is the slow link? Could you be going over a slower network link anywhere in the process or is this all in a singe data center on GigE? Maybe the physical disks (or is it tape?) are the slow link? I wouldn't be so quick to throw out the software just yet.

[dlcrouch]

we use NetBackup in our data centers and Arcserve at remote sites.

[barres]

I would recommend you look into ArcServe, by Computer Associates (if they haven't been bought out or sold off ArcServe recently ). We used it to remotely backup client PC's before we went to a SAN. It could backup and verify about 200 Gb of data from a couple of servers and 100 or so client PC's across a 10/100 network in less time than you're talking about. Just another option for you to look into. Best of luck.

[Kalrog]

Russell,
This still sounds slow to me. How is this connected? I know you said directly, but through what type of a port? USB? Firewire? SCSI card (and what version)?

It is completing the backup onto a separate drive that is physically connected to it, and the raid array (raid 5) that holds the 500 gigs is also physically connected to it. This backup is not going over any network, everything is stored on HD's. The backup drive itself is only a 1 gig 10k scsi (this will be changed soon), and the 10T raid array is made up of 750 gig 10k scsi's.

[Kalrog]

That first step is an equvalent of about 6.4MB/s That is slow. Would you try something for me? Take a 10GB (or similar large file) and just do a copy to that drive? If it copies at about that speed, then the problem is in your hardware. If it goes significantly faster then you know the problem is in the software.

The SAS interface should give you at least 1.5Gb/s so that shouldn't be the limiting factor, but it is a system that has lots of pieces.

[Kalrog]

Good work on the troubleshooting - yup, you got the hardware speed you need.

Do you have a database (or anything else that has a file constantly opened and locked) on this server? That could cause some serious backup issues as well.

Otherwise you have gotten some good advice on other software options.