Now I understand there's quite a bit of work going into backups just now, and I too have a number of questions to add to Philip's:
o When is the new, fast backup feature going to be available? o Will it work with NDMP? o Will it work with Networker? o Will it support backups to two concurrent local devices (2xDLT7000 at the same time, for example)? o Can DOT backup to 2 (or more) local devices right now? o Can it do so under NDMP under the control of Netbackup? o Will DOT be able to do backups to multiple local devices concurrently under Networker? o Can an F630 stream two DLT7000's concurrently using any technique you care to name? o Will the new fast backup technology allow for specific-file recoveries or just full-filer-after-disaster recovery? o Are the indexes of NetBackup or Networker maintained on their servers even when backup data is going to locally attached tape drives? o Would this remain possible with concurrent backups as described above? o Does anyone have this sort of aggressive approach to backups already in place?
We're looking to breach the TB barrier using 3 F5/600 series machines in the near future and I want to be able to back each filer up no slower than the current longest backup, which is just over 12 hours.
Ideally I want to actually cut the backup window and improve our ability to restore data at the same time (because these are worthy goals and because at this time the money seems to be available to do the job 8).
One of our groups is evaluating NetApp for NFS server. Apparently, their backup concerns are not being satisfactorily addressed by local NetApp contact. Since backup is a key factor in their decision, they would appreciate if someone could shed some more light to their following questions/concerns. Please feel free to copy the group at: mannyk@msil.sps.mot.com
It seems that they have a few select tape drives that are now able to be connected to the netapps and are recognized by netbackup.
The problem I still see and have not recieved a clear answer to is will ndmp support the tar protocol or just dump? Does the ndmp protocol support the full dump command - different levels of dump (incremental, differential and full)? When and if we will be able to hook up several netapps to one large tape library unit (STK 9710)?
What in the ndmp protocol will allow several backup streams to work simultaneously, so that a full backup of an 800 GB netapps won't span over several days.
Philip Thomas Motorola - ATL, M/S M350 2200 W. Broadway M350 Mesa, AZ 85202 rxjs80@email.sps.mot.com (602) 655-3678 (602) 655-2285 (fax)