[cobalt-users] Re: Best data backup method for RAQ2 ?

[Johan-Kristian Wold <jkwold@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

In cobalt-users digest, Vol 1 #1077, Zero Z. Batzell Dean wrote:
<snip>
> I've heard the name "Legato" brought up, but after visiting their site, I
> have no idea exactly what their software does, how much it costs, and
> exactly which package I might need...if I need something like that at all.
>
> So, if any of you have advice and information as to how I can make
> reliable/complete backups of my drive, it would be greatly appreciated.

We use Legato to backup a host of servers, including our Cobalt NASRaQ.

Legato is a heavy duty backup solution, that also supports some other 
functions, such as hierarchical storage and so on.

Basically, to do backups of the Cobalt, you'll need a backup server 
and a ClientPak for Unix.

For every other operating system that the one the backup server runs 
on, you'll need a ClientPak. Since Legato doesn't offer a server for 
linux, you need the ClientPak for Unix. The Unix backup server is a 
bit special, since it allows backup of other machines with the same 
*nix dialect, while for other *nixes, you need a ClientPak. Each 
ClientPak allows you to backup up to 10 clients.

If you want to use a tape robot (autochanger), you'll need a plugin 
for that as well.

As for price, Legato isn't exactly cheap. OTOH, you just have to pay 
for what you need. We have an expensive setup, but that includes the 
Network version, Oracle plugin, Autochanger module etc. You don't 
need that, just to backup the Cobalt.

So basically, what you need is:
- NT or *Nix server
- some sort of tape drive - An autochanger is nice, but not neccesary 
and drives the price up.
- Legato Networker software - Workgroup edition
- ClientPak for Unix.

There is some fiddling to make the client talk to the server. I wrote 
a fairly long article on it a while ago - if you can't find it in the 
archives, mail me, and I'll send you a copy.

If you contact Legato, they'll be happy to send you an evaluation 
version, that you can upgrade to a full version, without having to 
reinstall it. Try it, and see if you like it.

There are some other backup systems out there as well - Veritas being 
one of them, but I can't help you with those...

Kind regards

Johan-Kristian
--
Johan-Kristian Wold, M.Sc.     |
Computer systems administrator | Recursive: Adj. See recursive.
Nor-Trykk Narvik AS            |
jkwold@xxxxxxxxxxx             |                            SAM007HM02