On Mon, 18 Dec 2000, Lisa Becktold {CADIG STAFF} wrote:
> Hi, Mitch:
Hi Lisa,
> We're thinking of getting a new Sun server/workstation and a tape library,
> and using amanda to automate dumps. I was curious about your experience
> with amanda.
Well first off you'd be better off asking this sort of thing on
amanda-users since I can only relate my experience.
> What kind of machines/operating systems are you using? We have SGI Origin
> 2000s, several Suns running Solaris 2.8 and 2.6, and NT servers.
I've used amanda to backup many flavors of unix as well as NT.
> How many gigabytes are you backing up?
The biggest my config ever got was I think around 150 GB. There are
people here who are doing far bigger configs than this.
> Your Overland unit - does it have one tape drive? Or two? How many
> tapes does it hold?
Mine was a 1-drive, 15-slot unit. I think the model was LXB4115.
I changed jobs a few months ago. At the new place we've recently
started running amanda but have not rolled it out in a big way
just yet.
> Are you happy with amanda's operation?
In my case I was and am very happy with amanda for backing up unix
systems, but I do not personally recommend it for NT as it currently
stands. Other opinions may differ on that last point.
> Sorry to throw all these questions at you. We're floundering a bit, trying
> to get a feel for automated backups.
>
> Any info you could provide would be MUCH appreciated!
There are a variety of products available. I'm not aware of any that
are free besides amanda. There are "features" that I consider
"drawbacks" in every commercial product I've ever looked at, including
ADSM/TSM, Legato, Veritas, Teradactyl, and BRU. No doubt there are
still more I haven't looked at yet. Depending on what you consider
priorities you may arrive at a different conclusion.
Things I don't like include:
- incremental backups forever (in the name of efficiency)
- backup systems that are dependent on the integrity of a database
in order to be able to restore your data, even if the tape it's
stored on is fine
- backup systems that don't allow for use of a holding disk in order
to parallelize backups and keep streaming tapes streaming
> THANKS!
>
> Lisa
No problem.
-Mitch
> > Date: Fri, 15 Dec 2000 18:07:50 -0500 (EST)
> > From: Mitch Collinsworth <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > To: Greg Skafte <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > Subject: Re: DLT Changer Recomendations
> > MIME-Version: 1.0
> > Content-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> >
> > > I'm looking at getting a couple of DLT Changers, and seeking advice
> > > on peoples preferneces and opions.
> >
> > I have had excellent experience with Overland. There are probably
> > plenty of other good choices, too.
> >
> > -Mitch
> >
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> Lisa M. Becktold - [EMAIL PROTECTED], (410) 293-6480
> United States Naval Academy - CADIG
> 590 Holloway Road, Rickover Hall, Annapolis, MD 21402-5000
>
