Veritas Software Corp.s NetBackup Professional 3.1 is a powerful and cost- effective way to safeguard desktop and mobile client data in primarily Windows-based environments (with the exception of Windows Millennium Edition, that is). Version 3.1 also supports backup for Solaris.
The update, which was released last month and costs $445 for a single backup server supporting five clients, is a server-based system designed for backing up Windows-based desktop and laptop systems.
NetBackup Professional 3.1 retains the best capabilities of its predecessor, including Delta file backup; automated “bare metal” recovery of system data; and an easy-to-use, centralized administration console. Version 3.1 includes a single-click backup function that lets administrators and users do just that—immediately back up individual files or file groups with a single mouse click.
Version 3.1s Delta file backup technology provides fast backup and restoration of client data while optimizing resource usage. After the initial complete backup of a client computer, NetBackup Professional 3.1 backs up only changes and updates made to a file, down to the data blocks. The backup server keeps a single instance of common files found in operating systems and applications, ensuring optimal use of resources such as disk space and network bandwidth during online backup.
Veritas backup software is known for ease of use and manageability, and NetBackup Professional 3.1 is no exception. In eWeek Labs tests, we easily configured clients and managed multiple backup servers using a single administration console or Web browser.
Browser administration requires the installation of Microsoft Corp.s Internet Information Server to publish the Web pages used to manage backup servers. The initial setup of IIS took some time, but once it was configured, we could manage the entire NetBackup Pro system remotely using Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher or Netscape Communicator 4.0 or higher.
Backup servers can run Microsofts Windows 2000 Server or Advanced Server; Windows NT 4.0 Server; and, new to Version 3.1, Solaris 2.7 and 2.8. Supported client operating systems are Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0 Workstation and Windows 2000 Professional.
Conspicuous by its absence is support for Windows ME. Veritas officials said they excluded it because they dont believe ME will be widely used in the corporate space. However, major vendors are rolling out desktop and laptop lines with Windows ME installed, so Veritas may have bitten off its nose to spite its face at Windows 98-centric companies.
Because NetBackup Professional 3.1 is server-based, IT managers cant back up data to tape drives and libraries. Storing data on disks is more expensive than tape storage—especially with expensive Solaris-based hardware.
NetBackup Professional 3
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NetBackup Professional 3.1
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USABILITY |
B |
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CAPABILITY |
C |
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PERFORMANCE |
B |
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INTEROPERABILITY |
B |
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MANAGEABILITY |
A |
Although it lacks Windows ME and tape library support, Veritas updated NetBackup Professional gives IT managers of Windows-based networks a scalable and cost-effective backup system for protecting desktop and mobile client data in a corporate environment.
SHORT-TERM BUSINESS IMPACT // Straight-forward initial setup and simple client system initialization will allow IT managers to roll out NetBackup Professional 3.1 with minimal impact to users.
LONG-TERM BUSINESS IMPACT // Its ability to support multiple backup servers will allow NetBackup Professional to scale as a corporate user base increases, providing a good return on investment.
Solaris server support; centralized management of backup servers; efficient online backup of client data with minimal user intervention.
Lacks Windows ME support; server-based system will not back up to tape devices.
Veritas Software Corp., Mountain View, Calif.; (800)327-2232; www.veritas.com
