Arcserve v9 vs. Arcserve 2000

[0ryx]

Hi,

I'm an Infrastructure Architect in the Global IT department of a multinational with about 100 Windows 2000 servers. Our infrastructure is completely Windows 2000 based, we also use Exchange 2000, ISA 2000, etc. for mail, proxy, ... Our servers are spread all over the world (44 sites). Our tape device are from HP (Ultrium libraries and single tape drives). As backup solution we currently use Arcserve 2000, which is a serious pain in the *ss. Currently we need some dedicated resources only focussing on our backups (babysitting). In general we have a lot of troubles in the following areas:
- database corruption
- backup RPC agents crashes
- tape merge problems
- disaster recovery tests we did were failing (inconsistent failures)
- job crashes
- lack on technical support and documentation (poor support website)
We are currently investigating upgrading to Arcserve v9 or even to another product (BackupExec). Is there somebody having the same issues (in a simular setup) that can advise? Is Arcserve v9 much better then 2000, or does it have the same issues? Would you recommend going to Veritas solutions or upgrading the v9?
All information is welcome.
Kind regards,
0ryx

 

[BillDaly]

We have had similar issues. The Arcserve VLDB database is only good until it reaches about 8GB. After that, it corrupts if you look at it funny. Database corruption issues will cause job crashes, tape merge crashes, and other problems. Notice how whenever you call tech support (in India) that the first step is to re-initialize (erase) the database?

Have you tried using a different database (SQL Server 2000) to hold the ArcServe database?

The CA support web site is virtually useless except for patches. Even the CA product sites aren't helpful in finding out details about their products.

ArcServe 9 is supposed to have a more stable database and support for W2K SP3 DR restores, but I'm still testing it. All-in-all, it doesn't seem that different so far.

 

[Stat1c]

Billdaly,

Can you use crystal reports to query the sql database? rather than paying for CA Bolt on reporting pack?

 

[mohamdr]

Use Arcserve 9.0
-For database you can you SQL databse
-tape merge backup exec having the same concept
-to do DR for win2003 can be done only using the specific disk
no need to create a bootable CD it uses windows Automated System Recovery (ASR).
- job crashes this is may happen because of database using Sql db is more stable.
-If you go to veritas forum you will see the pepole saying Veritas having bad support(anybody having a problem will always say bad support)

 

[mcse924]

Sounds like you may need a more "enterprise" product. Look at IBM's Tivoli product, I think it's called SRM or something like that. Also check out SyncSort. These products are more expensive than Arcserve and BackupExec, but seeing how you are already spending alot of resources on Arcserve, the investment in $$$ up front could save you time and $$$ down the road. Might be time to sit down with a good consultant.

Good luck!

Carpe diem, procrastination is the thief of time...

 

[abigorangecat]

Look at HP Data protector it will come in much cheaper.

I use a SQL for a database and keep a 20 GB database which has been quite reliable compared to VLDB. Make sure you have about three times the space for SQL as you will want to run maintenance and separate the logs from the DBF Files.
You are best off running the SQL DB on another server built for DB's