Need Advice for Backup Solution

I have used both BackupExec and Arcserve in a variety of situations and found both of them very good.

However, I recently switched from backing up to tapes to USB attached hard drives, which I then rotate offsite. This eliminated 7-8 tape changes per day as well as reduced the cost involved when purchasing new servers (both drive & software).

When I made the switch, the version of Arcserve I was using didn't allow backup to disk. I ended up buying Retrospect software for this purpose and love it. It is fast, especially with their agents loaded on the servers. And restores are a snap. And the software was 1/3 or less than anything else I was looking at.

Let me assume that you work, at most, a 6 day week. Based on folks I know, as a physician you have a 2-part database system:
Part 1 is stuff that doesn't change unless a client (patient) comes in (again). This is the permanent Part, and is backed up once-a-month, say the first Saturday of the month, after hours.
Do on DVD.
Part 2 is stuff that changes daily, when a client (patient) comes in on that day. The level changes based upon which day it is done. Levels vary from 1-9, with 9 being the lowest. Do on re-writable CD.

The cheapest way I see for you is to backup everything the first time on a DVD after work at the end of the week. Each DVD holds ~5 GB of data, so 4-5 of them should do everything you need, at less than $1/DVD. This backup is called a "full" backup, and can be started before you leave for the night (weekend). These disks go home with you on Monday.

At the end of each business day, usually starts on Monday, erase the level 9 backup on its re-writable CD, and record a new level 9 backup. This saves only data that changed since the last level 0 backup. The next day, erase the oldest level 8 backup CD, and record a new level 8. Repeat each day,changing the level to the next value.
Continue this to the end of the 1st week of the month. Now, create a CD with a level 3 backup. After the 2nd week, do a level 2, then a level 1.
Track each DVD and CD by level and date. Restore your system by taking the last level 0 and restore it. Then take the levels 1-9, as long as they have a date later than the last level. When you have dates prior to the next lower level, stop. You are done. Very cost effective. Contact me directly for more info. I use Ghostwriter, but Nero, or any other file copy utility will work, too! -rdew

When you are looking into backup solutions you have to keep in mind a few things.
What am I backing up now and what is my storage growth. These will help you plan what you need.
As the price of hard drives fall it becomes more feasible to use this method. When using hard drives you should use them in a raid array for better data protection.
Tape solutions are available but will generally cost more as you will need to either change tapes or use a autoloader or library. Use either SDLT or LTO3 and again plan for growth.
For software like was already mentioned try them all and look at the features and compare them side by side to make sure you are going to get what you need and not be disappointed.
Talk to someone in your area who deals in storage solutions who can sit down and talk about the above or talk to us members.
Happy New Year.....

When you are looking into backup solutions you have to keep in mind a few things.
What am I backing up now and what is my storage growth. These will help you plan what you need.
As the price of hard drives fall it becomes more feasible to use this method. When using hard drives you should use them in a raid array for better data protection.
Tape solutions are available but will generally cost more as you will need to either change tapes or use a autoloader or library. Use either SDLT or LTO3 and again plan for growth.
For software like was already mentioned try them all and look at the features and compare them side by side to make sure you are going to get what you need and not be disappointed.
Talk to someone in your area who deals in storage solutions who can sit down and talk about the above or talk to us members.
Happy New Year.....