Question : Problem: Need a backup solution for our remote colocation facility.

We are looking for a cost effective solution that will backup data from our colo facility to our data center over a shared 1.5MB VPN link.

We currently have around 10 various non-domain windows 2003 servers (database, email, application, web, backup, etc.) at the colo that are being backed up disk to disk to a seperate server using Symantec Backup Exec 11d.  Disk backup files are then backed up to an auto-loader which we change tapes out of once a week.

Problems with the current backup system include auto-loader failing too often, need to physically goto colo facility every few days to change/pickup tapes, and just plain overall pain to maintain the system.

We would like to try and do some type of incremental replication back to our data center backup server over our 1.5mb VPN so that we can manage all tape backups locally at a reasonably cost for about 1TB of data (SAN to SAN replication is too expensive for us at this time).

We've tried Veritas Storage Replicator which worked well (but is now discontinued on 2003 server), EMC Replistor which needed a domain (caused file permission issues), Vice Versa Pro (which doesn't do incremental bit level), looked at DFS-R (reading about alot of problems integrating DFS shares with Backup Exec?), but have always ended up returning to the traditional D2D2T solution at the colo.

Any ideas before we spend another $10K on a replacement auto-loader?

Answer : Problem: Need a backup solution for our remote colocation facility.

Hi,

When i was taking about de-duplication i was referring to exagrid de-duplication where your backups are run to the exgrid please find the link for exagrid with compatiblity of veritas backup exec

http://exagrid.com/backup_applications/Symantec_VERITAS_Backup_Exec.asp

You can also look at CA Arcserve as a backup product which is a very good backup solution and you would be able to get good benefits/rebates if you are migrating from another backup solution which in your case is backup exec

http://exagrid.com/backup_applications/CA_ARCServe_Backup.asp

You can have the backup data replicated to alternate DR site with very less amount of data going over the wire and with compression and encryption which makes it more secure and wort investment.

CA is coming up with its major release after three years Release 12 in this quarter.

And a enterprise support contract would get you a free upgrade to any major releases. So you can cut down your TOC by moving to CA Arcserve with regards to backup solution and With exagrid your TOC would come down due to the data reduction.

bhanu