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Backing up large amounts of data

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by smittyrt

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Hello to all...and thanks for taking the time to read this.

I'm running into a problem when backing up my servers at night. There is approx. 130 GB of data on my Novell network and I'm currently using ArcServe and three DDS4 tape drives in a RAID config. for this. As you can see...not enough space for the entire data set. I'm at a loss as to how to fix this. I've looked into other types of backup solutions (DLT) and I'm not seeing anything that can backup that kind of data. I would like to be able to do this every night...but I doubt that will happen due to the time restriction. Does anyone know of a solution? Data for this company is critical and must be on tape or some other form of offline media. All changed files must be backed up nightly as well. Your help is appreciated.

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by mckaytech

As you obviously already know, you have two challenges: space and time. The 130gig space requirement is not insurmountable and you could either expand your DDS4 array to six drives or go with a DLT tape library built around 35/70gig or 40/80gig. Icurrently use a DLT tape library that holds a total of 96 DLT cartridges and has five drives installed for a total of 175/350gig.

The other issue of time is a little more difficult and the direction we're heading is to adopt a "snapshot" system that creates a still image of the data in just a few moments and we can then spend the rest of the day (or night) backing up that image without impacting the production databases. Eventually we anticipate we will "snapshot" twice a day and keep the tapes running 7x24.

It's a process similar to doing a SQL database dump and then backing up the dump file.

paul

by Member 29244100

You might want to consider using a product like St. Bernards Open File Manager in conjunction with your Backup Software.

Assuming that the Server isn't over utilised during the day, this would let you over-run the backups into office hours.

OFM supports BTrieve etc. as transactional record level stuff, as well as normal "Office" type files.

It works by preventing a direct write to the data file groups (user defined) while the backup agent is reading the files, and then rolling forward the changes once the agent has finished.

We've used OFM for 6+ years and have never had a problem with file corruption, etc. If the server should ABEND while this is going, OFM sorts it out on the reload.

That way you could just expand the size of the array without having to worry too much about the backup window.

Alternatively, have you tried splitting the backups up and running them in Parallel? Eg SYS:\ to Tape Drive A, DATA1:\ to Tape Drive B, etc. These can be run at the same time, and performance isn't a problem if you limit the number of drives on a SCSI Card?

HTH - Jason.

by jfruits

I currently use an Exabyte Ultrium Autoloader to do a 105GB backup. The drive is Awesome! 105GB takes about 12 hours. The tapes hold 100GB native / 200GB compressed, and backs up 150MB / minute. Veritas Backup Exec is the software I am running it with. Check it out at http://www.exabyte.com/products/products/110l.cfm. While this might not be the right drive for you, HP makes several Different models using Ultrium technology.

Good Luck!

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