Backup Software for Servers

[tgrigg]

I'm looking for some new backup software for my work, I'm Currently using Arcserve on a Linux box, but I'm having loads of problems with it. Does anyone know any good backup software or have any suggestions?

[Moby-Dick]

what are you trying to backup ?

[tgrigg]

Its about 3 different servers like fileserver, mail server and dns server.

[Howard]

Veritas Backup Exec

[Moby-Dick]

what sorts of issues are you having ?

I'm not a big fan of tape backups at the best of times

[tgrigg]

The software is out dated it only runs on Red Hat 7.1 and problems with backups falling over tape drive not responding and it just crashing.

[Moby-Dick]

so you'd be looking at new hardware as well ?

[tgrigg]

Yeah I'm looking at new tape drives aswell I dont mind what OS the backup software runs off.

[Shorty]

How much data are you actually backing up.. volume wise..?

What is your budget..?

[tgrigg]

Volume is about 700gb and I haven't got a budget but nothing way to expensive

[Moby-Dick]

I'd be tempted to look at disk to disk to tape for a shorter backup window and faster short term restores without hunting around for tapes.

for that volume of Data then a nice LTO2 setup would be a good start

[Shorty]

Im probably going to get flamed for this but to regardless...

How important do your company consider off-site/DR (disaster recovery) media..?

Most I know insist on it and thus you bound to tapes. If not, then a NAS would suit you nicely.

In tape drives, it's either an LTO-2 autoloader or an LTO-3.

What do you consider "way too expensive"..?

//Edit: Moby read my mind or vice versa

[Moby-Dick]

I wont flame you Shorty

anything that avoids using tapes is a good thing !!

there are alternatives to tapes for offiste , but I'm not sure they would be suitable for that volume of data

[Howard]

If you use Ultrium 3 tapes you get 400gb on each

Bit pricey though

[Shorty]

I wont flame you Shorty

anything that avoids using tapes is a good thing !!

there are alternatives to tapes for offiste , but I'm not sure they would be suitable for that volume of data

Virtual Vaulting Now that's something I do like!

[Moby-Dick]

yeah LTO 2 might give you the best VFM on the tape front.
If you are backing up to disk staging area , then you can run your weekly full backup during the day on the staging box, so that you can change tapes accordingly. A single tape should take care of the differentials inbetween.