Common Backup Software Applications

Backup applications abound, both those built in to server operating systems and those available from third parties. The following sections help you find the right backup software for your network.

Native Operating System Software

Most server operating systems include some type of backup software designed to support tape backup drives:

• Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000 Server, and Windows Server 2003: NTBackup NTBackup for Windows Server 2003 can be used to restore data backed up with NTBackup for Windows 2000 Server. NTBackup can be run in a wizard mode, an advanced mode, or a command-line mode.

• Linux and UNIX: tar tar is a command-line utility that supports backups to tape drives as well as to archive files on a hard disk (see www.unixpress.com/cactus/lonetar/lonetar.html).

• Novell Netware 4.x and 5.x: SBackup and Enhanced SBackup Some 4.x versions of NetWare include the sbackup.nlm (Netware Loadable Module), while later versions of 4.x and NetWare 5.x use Enhanced SBackup (SBCON).

Although many servers use integrated backup software, the desire for enhanced features such as support of autoloaders, tape libraries, and newer backup hardware and better disaster recovery options have led to the development of many third-party alternatives.

Third-Party Backup Software

The following are some of the leading third-party backup and disaster recovery programs for major server operating systems:

• BrightStor ARCserve Backup (Computer Associates) This is a family of backup products for Windows and Linux servers and clients. It supports optional agents for disaster recovery, Windows and NetWare open files, tape libraries, SANs, tape RAID, image backup, online backups, and other functions.

• Lone-TAR (Lone Star Software Corporation) Lone-TAR is a replacement for the UNIX and Linux tar command, offering menus, bit-level verification, and other advanced features. Companion products offer disaster recovery (Rescue-Ranger) and a graphical user interface (LTX).

• NovaNet (NovaStor Corporation) NovaNet is designed to support cross-platform (Windows, Linux, NetWare) server and client backups. It supports plug-ins that provide open file management, disaster recovery, cluster and SQL server backups, and other services.

• Retrospect (EMC Dantz) Retrospect 7 is a family of backup applications for Windows servers. Various versions support client backup and D2D backup, among others. Add-ons provide for open file backup, disaster recovery, support for tape autoloaders and libraries, and support for SQL Server or Exchange Server installations.

• Symantec LiveState Recovery (Symantec) LiveState Recovery is a family of applications designed to support disaster recovery to Windows or other types of servers and desktops.

• Veritas Backup Exec (Symantec) Backup Exec is a family of server backup applications for Windows servers. It supports D2D as well as tape backup, web-based file retrieval, and remote backup of Linux and UNIX servers, and there is a version that provides continuous protection for Windows servers.

Troubleshooting Backup Programs

The wrong time to discover that there's a problem with your tape backup system is when it fails. The following sections can help you solve problems in advance.

Backup Product Compatibility

Make sure that the backup software you use is designed to be compatible with your server (and client) operating systems, your backup hardware, and, if possible, your existing backups.

Some backup products are designed exclusively for Windows. Others support a mixture of Windows, Linux, and NetWare servers. In some cases, you can use remote agents to back up non-Windows servers using the backup device connected to the Windows server. While this enables you to standardize on a single backup program, it can increase network traffic significantly.

If you use Microsoft Exchange Server or SQL Server, consider backup programs or add-ons made especially for those server services. Many standard server backup programs are not optimized to back up those servers.

If network clients often store critical data on their local hard disks, consider a backup program that is designed to back up clients as well as servers. This is a built-in feature of some backup programs, but it is an extra-cost option in others.

From the standpoint of hardware, most commercial backup programs support tape drives and leading removable-media and DVD drives. It might be necessary to download updates to assure support. However, if you want to use an autoloader, a tape library, or a D2D backup device, you might need to purchase an extra-cost agent, plug-in, or update from your backup software vendor. When you consider the cost of your backup software, be sure to calculate the cost of any add-ons needed to support your hardware or network configuration.

If you upgrade to a newer version of the same vendor's backup software, you should be able to retrieve your existing backups with the new software version. However, don't assume that you can do so. Ask before upgrading.

Tip

Backup software vendor NovaStor (www.novastor.com) offers unique solutions for issues caused by moving from an older backup system to a new one: What to do with the data on the older tapes? NovaStor's TapeCopy 2.1 software enables you to move data archives from your outmoded SCSI, ATA/IDE, USB, or FireWire tape backup to a new tape drive or library. You can also use it to make hard disk copies of your tapes and to duplicate a backup tape on a similar drive. If you need to move data to a different operating system, NovaXchange provides cross-platform data transfer between different types of tape drives and libraries, operating systems, and architectures. See the website for details.

Backup Software Patches and Updates

Be sure to visit your backup software vendor's website to find the latest patches and updates for your backup software. If you use the backup software that is integrated in the operating system, visit your operating system vendor's website.