Third-Party Backup Options

Because Windows 2003 is such a new operating system, currently no third-party options are specifically designed for it. Rest assured, however, that this will not remain so for long.

We always recommend going with well-recognized, name -brand, third-party companies to ensure good compatibility with Windows 2003 and other network operating systems. Most of the popular packages support the capability to back up severa! different network operating systems at one time and contain easy-to-use interfaces for backup and restore options.

One easy way to find other third-party backup software is to visit popular search engines on the Internet, such as http://search.cnet.com/, and enter the keywords Windows Server 2003 Backup . Discount Internet shops , such as CDW (http://www.cdw.com/), provide information about various backup devices in one handy location. On the CDW Web site, go to the Hardware section, click the Data Storage option, and look at how much information you have.

The backup market has two types of vendors : small-business backup solutions and enterprise backup solutions. We list the top ones in each category to get your search started:

• Small business:
  
  

  • Exabyte, http://www.exabyte.com/

  • ADIC (Advanced Digital Information Corporation), http://www.adic.com/adicHomePage.jsp

  • Hewlett-Packard, http://www.hp.com/country/us/eng/prodserv/storage.html

• Enterprise business:
  
  

  • Veritas, http://www.veritas.com/

  • Legato, http://www.legato.com/

Search the backup vendors' Web sites for white papers and cost of ownership documents. This information is free, and a lot of research has been compiled. You can use this information to convince management of your backup requirements.

Regardless of which vendor you choose, the following checklist provides some helpful criteria in evaluating tape systems. Determine the requirements for your organization and query the vendor as to whether their product has the features you desire and whether you have to pay extra for some add-on modules.

This list should give you a good idea of what you may need when choosing a tape backup system:

• Critical System Files: An essential feature in any tape system that you purchase is that it can back up the Windows 2003 system files - such as the Registry and event logs, security information, user accounts, and access control lists - in addition to the actual data.

• Fast tape index: When backing up large amounts of data, it's critical that during the restore process you're able to obtain a catalog of the tape's contents within a minute or two. You don't want to wait 30 minutes each time you need to see the contents of a particular tape.

• Multiplatform support: Networks that support multiple platforms, such as Novell, Microsoft, and UNIX, are easier to back up if one backup system can support more than one platform.

• Client backups : Some users simply refuse to store files on the network. In this case, look for a package that automates client workstation backups across the network to your tape backup system. Some popular systems already include this option. Ask which client operating systems it supports - for example, Macintosh, UNIX, Windows 98, and OS/2.

• Unattended operation: Some tape systems work like jukeboxes and have a mechanical arm that inserts and removes tapes, so you can go home while the backup runs. These systems are expensive, but if you have a lot of data to back up and don't want to insert tapes all night, look for this feature.

• Scheduling features: If you want to perform incremental and full backups on different days, look for a system that is flexible and allows you to automate the scheduling features based on the day of the week.

• Open files: Open files are files in use during the backup operation. Not all backup systems are designed to back up open files, and some even halt when they get to one that's open. Most systems skip over the file and write an exception to a log file. More than likely, you want a backup system that backs up open files.

• Security and encryption: For small operations, this feature may not be as critical. For larger environments, ask the vendor how its system handles passing information through the network, such as passwords and account information.

• Hierarchical Storage Management (HSM): You want to make sure the vendor's product supports online, nearline, and offline storage and can manage using all three at one time.

• Data storage size : You want to find out how much data you can back up to the system (MB or GB), the size of the tapes the system uses (4mm, 8mm, DLT, or others), and whether it compresses data.

• Remote management: Getting to monitor backup status and progress remotely instead of being in front of the console is a handy feature.

• Scalability: Find out whether this system can be scaled to a larger environment should your network grow.

• Security access: Running an unattended backup means that a device must either log on to the network while you're gone or remain logged on with the keyboard locked. Check with the vendor as to how the product logs on to the network and maintains security.