verify each volume after it's written

[BS1]

In August 2001, I sent Dantz a suggestion that Retrospect offer the user the option of verifying each volume of a multivolume backup immediately after it's written. This would cut the number of media changes by half. A technical support specialist thought that was a good idea and logged it as a feature request.

 

 

 

The suggestion also appeared in one of these forums in August of this year (http://forums.dantz.com/ubbthreads/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=professional&Number=12061&page=&view=&sb=&o=), and a Dantz representative again said that this was a good suggestion (http://forums.dantz.com/ubbthreads/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=professional&Number=12114&page=&view=&sb=&o=).

 

 

 

So is this suggestion scheduled to be implemented? If so, when? If not, why not?

[AmyJ]

This is actually the way Retrospect has always performed. Copy/verify is done volume by volume. If you backup Drive C: and Drive D:, Retrospect will copy Drive C: then verify Drive C: before moving on to Drive D:

 

 

 

I suspect that you are referring to verifying backup set members before moving on to the next member. Retrospect's verification pass mimics an actual restore, in that it ask you to insert the media just like you would have to in a restore, in order. This is the only 100% unbeatable way to verify that your data is actually on the media properly. Why? Spanning a file from tape to tape (or disk to disk) is a complicated process, and by ejecting and reinserting media and then still being able to read it, you can really say with confidence that you will be able to read the data later when you need to restore.

 

 

[BS1]

Yes, I am referring to verifying each backup set member before moving on to the next member. Spanning a file from volume to volume might be difficult. So why not offer the user the option of fitting as many complete files as possible onto each member, verifying the member, and proceeding to the next member?

[parent55]

The importance of verifying each backup set member *as it is written* is particularly compelling when you realize that the dominate backup medium is becoming the 4.7 Gb DVD drive. This media is much more reliable that tape, as fast as tape, and less expensive. I currently use two HP DVD 200i drives and would have a very efficient backup system if I didn't have to go back and run every DVD through the system twice.

 

 

 

As disk drive capacity heads toward 200 Gb the importance of only handling the media one time is even more important.

 

 

 

As I write this I am backing up 46 Gb of data on 8 DVD+RW discs (cost $2.50 each) and just finishing the first pass of the 8 discs through the machine. Now I will have to run all 8 discs through the machine again. Since I come and go in my work and feed discs as time permits, doing this twice adds significant time to the backup process.

 

 

 

The company that understands the potential for DVD backup to replace tape backup based systems for SOHO use, has the opportunity to lead the SOHO backup industry in the next generation of backup systems. The key to success is efficient handling of DVD media for the operator.