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Use of W2k Ntbackup with tape rotation

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by donalda-m

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I would be feeling dense for not figuring this out, except that it involves a Microsoft product. My employer wishes to use Ntbackup on a W2k server used for software development (because they "can't afford" real backup software for it). They wish torun a full backup each time, with four weekday tapes, 4 Friday tapes, and 12 monthly tapes. I have not been able to figure out how to properly implement this so that ntbackup catalog's each tape separately and overwrites each tape during backup while in command line (batch) mode.
After studying the MS "help" files and several of my favorite tech sites on the Web I am left with the impression that W2k ntbackup can handle multiple tapes with the assistance of Removable Storage, but no good information on how to implement it. Can anyone help?

10 replies

by ntoz

1. I cant say Im shocked that the backup gets the least amount of concern.

2. Im going to have to forward the documentation I have as its too big to fit in this small of space, would you please email me so I can reply back with the docs. Mentionin the email what it is your asking for as you can understand I have some many other things running around in my head. I can even send you some docs on how to get the tapes to eject at the end if needed.

Pete

by ntoz

BTW a normal monthly rotation would require 21 backup tapes. One tape for monday trough thursday, and a friday full backup. Monday through thurdasy would be differentials with Friday being full. Perhaps they are talking about towers of hanoi?

Pete

by ntoz

Oh one more thing, the backup in Windows 2000 is really a BackupExec watered down version, its not even Microsofts.

by donalda-m

THIS QUESTION IS CLOSED - correct answer was to set up NT backup using default media labels and then go to Scheduled Tasks and add "/um" to the Properties of the job to allow unconditional overwrite of the media. Only other requirement is to put in correctly labeled tape. Found in NTfaq.com.

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