What Backup Software would you recommend?

[pixiepoet]

Hello all!

Our company has a NetWare 6 server on a Dell PowerEdge 1400SC, with a Travan 20 GB (TR-5) tape drive. We have 10 PC's in the office. What Backup software would you recommend?

We currently have Backup Exec and have been running into too many problems.

Thanks!

 

[rjs]

I've used both Backup Exec and ARCserve. Both can work, both can be problematic, but I prefer BE at this point. What version are you running? And what problems are you having?

 

[pixiepoet]

Thank you for your response!

We are using Backup Exec 9 and running into all sorts of problems. I get this error message in the morning after a backup job:

BESRVR: TaperAlert!
BESRVR - WARNING: The tape drive is having problems reading data. No data has been lost, but there has been a reduction in the performance of the tape.
BESRVR - CRITICAL: Your data is at risk:
1. Copy any data you require from this tape
2. Do not use this tape again
3. Restart the operation with a different tape

I have installed the patch to update it to Build 4172.2. I have also installed the patch to update the driver set dated 11/19/02.

I have tried to do a cleaning of the drive by putting in the dry-process cleaning tape but all the options for cleaning have been grayed out.

What do you think is wrong?

 

[Boosted]

I would say that error does not seem to be software, but hardware related. Travan drives are cheap, but for a reason. They are unreliable compared to other formats.

You have a decent entry level server. Good for your network size. I would say regardless of software, that server should have at least a SCSI DAT tape drive connected to it. I bet that investing in a new drive fixes your problem. (And will give you faster and more reliable backups)

 

[pixiepoet]

Boosted,

You spoke well, thanks for your input.

I was wondering which Storage Device YOU would use?

Thanks!
PixiePoet