Backup of databases

Raymond,

While I think it can be done, you should be backing up both and having multiple copies of each.

I agree with Jeff that you should be backing up both. If you need to restore a store from HQ, you just export the database again - exactly the same as when you did it the first time. You may lose some configuration information as that will come from the Template database, but everything else should be recovered up to the time of the last successful 401 worksheet for that store.

Definately better to have a backup of the store database and recover from that...

Hi Glenn & Jeff,

Thanks for the reply. I do have backup of the store database, but its on the same PC that is running the MSDE at the store. So was just wondering if the whole PC goes down, what other alternative backup I have. Its good to know that I can at least still do it from the HQ database.

I have 4 stores running at different locations, what kind of backup do you think it's necessary at the store level other then backing up to the PC HD. Should I be running tape backup at the store level?

Thanks for all the help.

Raym> I agree with Jeff that you should be backing up both. If you need to

Raymond,

We use and suggest a hard drive solution instead of tape.

For the stores, either an internal (preferred, because its faster) or external drive. We use and sell a scenario of 2 hard drives in removable carriers and a piece of software called Symantec Ghost 10.0. The removable carriers provide a program that allows us to "hot-swap" the drives out. We set up the Ghost program to backup all of the information on the primary hard drive once a day and then backup the information that has changed every hour, to the hard drive in the removable carrier.

We instruct the merchant to change the drives everyday, at closing, using the program to "hot-swap" (change) the drives. When we install Ghost, we set the program to have multiple backups, per drive, per day. This a depends on the size of the backup drive you use, but an 80 gig drive is good for about

The biggest benefit is that if your primary hard drive were to fail, which it will eventually, you can replace the hard drive with a new one, start the machine the Ghost CD inserted and then run the Ghost program, it will restore to the new hard drive, exactly where you were up to the last backup, an hour ago, in about 30 minutes, without installing any operating system, programs or data. Using a tape drive, you would insert the newest tape, which is probably at least a half day old, (it probably backed up last nite after hours) and then restore the drive, which takes about 4-6 hours.

It also allows you to find an older version of any program or data and restore it in about a minute. Remember, there are 13 backups a day, per drive.

This is all done in the background so that the user doesn't even know its backing up. The program up to email somebody if there is a problem while backing up. We setup our customer's machines to email us instead so that we can watch it for them, but you can setup any email address you want.

The total package runs about $350 per store, _much_ less than for the same capacity tape drive. $80 for Ghost, $170 for the 2 80 gig hard drives and $80 for the swappable carriers. If you want more than 10 days of backups, just buy bigger hard drives! This is assuming XP Pro at the stores.

Symantec, the Ghost program manufacturer, also offers the same type of program for machines running Windows Server called V2i Protector that has the same capabilities, just more $, because its for Windows Server. We recommend the same setup, except using larger capacity drives, for more days worth of backup.

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for the advise, you have been a great help. Can you let me know which removable carrier you are using that provide the "hot-swap" capability for IDE drives? I have done a search on the internet for "hot-swap" on IDE drives, so far, my impression is that it is not advisable since IDE is never meant for "hot-swap", alternative is to use USB enclosure to "hot-swap" the IDE drives.

Raym> Raymond,

Raymond,

We've used two different manufacturer's products, Promise's SuperSwap 1000

The only thing you have to worry about, is to not take the drive out while its backing up. There is an amber light on while its writing, but some people just don't pay attention. If there is a problem, remember the software will inform you on the next attempt to backup. We just remotely log into the machine and re-initialize the drive, takes about 30 seconds.

While IDE is not inherently hot swappable, it does work with the proper software/hardware setup.

Both manufactures make SATA versions too. SATA does have hot swap built in.

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for all your help. Really appreciate it.

Raymond

I recommend MOZY - a free online backup. You have about 2 GB available for free and you can set it to backup your RMS database automatically.

"Jeff" wrote:

Hi Jeff. A valuable info indeed. Say, wat if i dont want to use those carriers. Is it possible this backup method to work witout it?

TQ

"Jeff" wrote:

TQ,

Maybe, just look for a carrier that is "hot-swappable". Otherwise you will need to turn off the computer to change the drives.